A scam that's been gaining interest in recent years is the so-called "mystery shopper" con. Also known as the "secret" or "investigative" shopper scam, it takes advantage of folks whose passion for making a lucrative income sometimes overshadows their better judgment.
Many years ago, "mystery shopping" began as a legitimate way for companies to investigate potential employee theft at retail stores. In recent years, companies have used such mystery shoppers to gain a better understanding of customer service, product quality, and their own competitors.
There are legitimate mystery shopper jobs. Unfortunately, scam artists have latched on to mystery shopping as an opportunity to swindle the unsuspecting. For example, a phony company may offer to hire you as a mystery shopper if you'll pay an up-front fee. They may sweeten the pitch by telling you that you can keep any merchandise you buy as part of your employment. Some firms may even send you a cashier's check or money order to deposit in your account. Forwarding a portion of the deposit to another bank by wire transfer is part of the scam. When you later learn that the check or money order is counterfeit, the bank will require you to replace the lost money. Not exactly a get-rich-quick opportunity.
What are some warning signs of a "mystery shopper" scam?
Unfortunately, scam artists have become more prevalent with the burgeoning of the Internet and online advertising. So it's more important than ever to know the firms with whom you do business — even when they're offering employment.