In this scam, the victim signs up to become a secret shopper through an online form – potentially giving away sensitive PII like Social Security numbers, date of birth and address. Then the victim is sent a check in the mail to use to secretly shop at a store.
Is there a secret shopper scam?
Although some companies do hire “secret shopper services” to analyze their customer service by having “secret shoppers” buy certain goods or services at their stores and report their experiences, the fraudsters operating the “Secret Shopper Scam” offer no such service.
Can a secret shopper send you a fake check?
In this scam, the recruiter would send shoppers a check for more than $2,000 and they would: If anyone ever tells you to deposit a check, withdraw money, and send it to someone, that’s a scam. When the check later turns out to be fake, the bank will want the money back.
What do you have to do to become a mystery shopper?
The offers for becoming mystery shoppers come via email and lately through unsolicited text messages. Signing up, your first paid task is to verify the quality of service at a financial institution in your city, for example, Western Union. You have to write a report on how fast they are, how is their customer service, etc.
Are there any secret shopper jobs at Whole Foods?
Several people who got offers to be secret shoppers for grocery stores, like Whole Foods, thought they were scams, and wrote to the FTC to warn others. They were right — the offers are scams — and now we’re extending the warning.
How long do you have to send Western Union check for mystery shopper?
Seems easy enough, right?! Their only stipulation is that you need to perform the Western Unionjob as soon as you get the check, say within 48 hours. You do as you’re told, send off the money and write a report for your employer detailing your mystery shopping experience.
