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A. Santiago: Posted on Friday, January 06, 2012 3:28 PM
Facts of Secret Shopper ScamsIn times when the economy is difficult, many people look for a way to make ends meet. Often times, the one can find attractive looking jobs on the Internet. One of the more common types of job offered is to be a “secret shopper.” However, these types of jobs often are not what they seem.
To be clear, there are legitimate secret shopper jobs available on the Internet. However, not every job that labels itself as a secret shopper opportunity is legitimate. Look for these warning signs when researching secret shopper jobs; they will signal a scam.
- Paying unreasonable upfront costs- Although the secret shopper industry does require upfront payment for services, the cost is small. For instance, a mystery shopper will pay for a haircut from their pocket, but that amount plus their salary will be paid back to them immediately. Beware of companies that will “register” you as a secret shopper if you a pay a certain fee. These types of websites are always scams and should be avoided.
- Promises of large payment- Those who are legitimate secret shoppers do not do so for large paychecks. For most, it is a way to earn a little extra money while having some fun. Sites that make wild promises of how much you will earn a week should be avoided. Mystery shoppers do not make $500 or $1,000 a week, period.
- Recruitment by email- Legitimate secret shopper websites are listed on major search engines and are easy to find. A true secret shopper site will not send spam to recruit its shoppers. If you get one of these types of emails, place it in the spam folder of your email and do not visit the site.
If you would like more information about a specific secret shopper company, contact the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.
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