Secret shopper warning

1. 81

   DonnaCSmithposted 16 years ago

   A friend told me about her experience secret shopping and  I thought I might want to try it. I looked up the subject of secret shopping here at hubpages http://hubpages.com/hub/mysteryshoppinginfo and  followed a link and found this warning. This is just what had happened to my friend today.
   
   http://www.mysteryshop.org/news/article … ?art_ID=73

   replyreport
2. 98

   Rochelle Frankposted 16 years ago

   Hope not too many people have been caught by this scam.

   replyreport
3. 79

   AEvansposted 16 years ago

   That isn't good at all.

   replyreport
4. 60

   Junksterposted 16 years ago

   When I worked in a well known American clothes store every year or so we'd get a secret shopper/mystery shopper come round who was essentially someone from corporate or a family member who owuld report back on heir experience with regards to customer service.
   
   We'd always be told what days they were coming though so it was pretty simple to ace the test.  Is this the same kind of secret shopper?

   replyreport
   1. 61

      49erposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Looks like the tried and true "Lottery Scam" where they tell you to cash the check and mail part of it back, then by the time the check bounces, the scammers have already gotten their money. This type of scam definitely needs more attention, because there is no reason it should be as effective as it is.
      
      
      
      Back when I used to work in the Restaurant Industry, we would get similar secret shoppers, but we weren't ever given a heads up. I never got one, which was kind of disappointing, because I was a good server and there was always some small reward for doing well on a secret shopper.

      replyreport
   2. 81

      DonnaCSmithposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      There are ligitimate secret shopper jobs out there. The link to the associate has a list of them and how they work.

      replyreport
5. 81

   sunforgedposted 16 years ago

   Mystery shopping programs are real.....but most of the time you have to buy an item...return it-write a report and wait for pay.(15-50 bucks)
   
   it isnt a viable job, but could work for a stay at home mom (or dad) who may actually be going out to malls and stores anyway
   
   ill look through my emails for the program i used...if i find it ill repost

   replyreport
   1. 81

      sunforgedposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      The one that I have used and i know is legit and pays is called Beyond Hello Mystery Shop

      replyreport
6. 60

   Lena M.posted 16 years ago

   I'm sure there are some legit companies out there that do this, and they're probably great ways to make some extra cash, but I'm even more sure that there are not-so-legit companies that are just scamming you. I personally don't think it's worth the risk.

   replyreport
7. 60

   Junksterposted 16 years ago

   So I take it it's one of those stay at home jobs that get advertised in the papers "EARN $$$ FROM HOME, CALL AND ASK HOW" type of deals? 
   
   I never pay them any attention

   replyreport
8. 55

   Dame Scribeposted 16 years ago

   The major search engines should have a auto SCAM button ...but...then people would probably abuse it

   replyreport
9. 60

   1weddingsourceposted 16 years ago

   In this financial down turn I am not surprised to read something like this to happen to consumers. The scam is really a great offer especially to those who needs money. But as consumers, we should take necessary precaution if we get an offer like this. According to Swinburn, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

   replyreport
10. 82

    sunstreeksposted 16 years ago

    http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/ has a list of mystery shopping companies.
    
    I did a popular chain restaurant shop once.. I was to bring a guest. We both had to pick separate dinners. I filled out the questionaire afterwards and provided copy of the bill all sent by fax. (most you pay upfront) Our meal was compensated in return for the shop, but no additional income.
    
    Sign up for some of the company's. They will send out e-mails when they are looking for shoppers. The recruiters make money by getting people to do the shops so they will provide you many opportunities to try and get you working.
    
    I still get the e-mails from all the companies I signed up for. They don't pay very well, but if the shop is for something your interested in, you can get some free stuff that you actually need. More often they reimburse for a $10 or $15 purchase type thing.

    replyreport