How to Find Legitimate Secret Shopper Companies

If you are interested in working as a secret shopper, you have probably realized that there are a lot of companies out there trying to scam you out of money. You might wonder how a company that is supposed to be paying you ends up scamming you out of your time, effort and sometimes cash. Here are some tips for finding legitimate secret shopper companies that will honestly pay you for your efforts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access

1. Read online forums to find experienced secret shoppers talking about companies they have worked for. These forums frequently have a thread that allows secret shoppers to identify companies to stay away from. There is no better way to judge a company than to hear others' experiences.

2. Avoid companies that ask for a fee, solicit you through email or promise unbelievable fees for work. No matter how good the offers seem, these are almost always scams.

3. Search for a company name online before signing up for their program. Even if the secret shopper company seems legit, always search the internet to find other secret shoppers' opinions of the company.

4. Find out if the secret shopper company is a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). This is a legitimate professional trade association that looks out for the best interests of secret shoppers (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If a secret shopper company that you have never contacted emails you about work, it is almost always a scam. Legitimate secret shopper companies do not send mass emails about huge money making offers.
• Never pay for secret shopping work or job lists. Legitimate secret shopping companies always pay you, not the other way around.

Resources

• Mystery Shopping Providers Association

[pandabear1280]

on 10/6/2009 I also recievd a check in the mail for $4,998.00 $100.00 is to buy an item from one of the stores they provide a list to choose from. Then $4,228.00 is for western union or money gram wt a $170.00 process fee then $500.00 is for my traing pay..... I also don't want to launder money I want to know if this is legit? Can someone help me decide what to do?

[mattdugen]

on 7/12/2009 Although I'm sure the companies on my list bare good companies in most areas, I'll describe my harrowing experience. When I lost an expensive car after a target called me at home asking me if I mystery shopped him, then my car was vandalized the next week, I decided these companies were not safe to work for. Also, some people who run these companies are emotionally disturbed and will imagine you lie on your reports.

Let me explain my experience, then if you like, try to decide how you can shop more safely than I did. Never trust that the info you supply the company will always stay private.

So here is a list of some offending companies. Very good companies; The shops were paid, exciting, and I thought I was on my way, but listen to what I say below:

Here is a list of companies that will, at first, really treat you well and give high ratings, then begin diminishing when you've do...

[jpaint]

on 2/2/2009 The Western Union situation does sound a bit scammy to me!

[RMC06]

on 1/10/2009 I did inquire about being a secret shopper, but I am skeptical. The other day I received a check for $3,500 to call my assignment coordinator and I could keep $300, $100 funds for shopping at a target, walmart, etc.to pose as a potential shopper, $150 service charge by western Union, and $2,980 to be sent Western Union to evaluate the effectiveness and the efficiency of the payment system called Western Union, the check has a different name on it than the letter. I don't want to be laundering money for anybody, did anybody here about this.

[Alisiane]

on 10/5/2008 This is one of those jobs that you know exists, but which is so elusive because of all the scammers out there trying to trick people. Thanks for the info.