{"id":49048,"date":"2016-04-19T13:07:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-19T20:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mcafee.com\/?p=49048"},"modified":"2025-08-31T22:31:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T05:31:01","slug":"avoid-mystery-shopping-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/tips-tricks\/avoid-mystery-shopping-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Mystery Shopping Scams: What They Look Like, and How to Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mystery shopping can be exhilarating. It\u2019s almost like the life of a spy, as you send secret details back to an elusive source, while they pay for every luxury. But it\u2019s not all glamorous. While many mystery shopping gigs are indeed legitimate, participants can sometimes become victims of double-crossing, targeted by criminals seeking to rob them of valuable information, or even money.<\/p>\n

So, what would a mystery shopping scam look like? The most common<\/a> scenario starts like this: someone receives a hefty, seemingly legitimate check in the mail. Attached to the bogus check are instructions, telling the recipient to simply register as a mystery shopper on a website, and perform an assignment for which they\u2019ll be rewarded with a percentage of the check amount. That certainly sounds like a small price to pay! But the truth is, the personal information entered onto the phony site is going straight into the hands of criminals.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re talking about a person\u2019s name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and possibly driver\u2019s license information. That\u2019s certainly more than enough data for criminals to commit identity theft or financial fraud.<\/p>\n

Now, mystery shopping scams can come in many forms. For example, while some victims receive a letter or package to their residence, fake offers can also spread through email, text message, and online ads. Some criminals have even posted on online job offer boards<\/a>, advertising phony mystery shopping gigs. And in one instance, a scam was disguised as coming from a legitimate mystery shopping company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The consequences of mystery shopping scams can be severe, as some criminals aren\u2019t content with simply obtaining personal information. In many cases, they will also find clever ways to steal a victim\u2019s money. For example, instructions may ask individuals to deposit the fake check, and use the funds to purchase pre-paid credit cards. Supposedly, sending photos of the cards to the source of the scam will authorize their use. The scammers assure the victim they are allowed to keep the remainder of the money from the check following the purchase, as a reward.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not what happens at all. In the blink of an eye, the fake check will bounce, with the pre-paid cards having been withdrawn completely\u2014leaving the victim robbed.<\/p>\n

How to Spot Authenticity<\/h2>\n

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent falling victim to a fake secret shopping program. Here\u2019s how to spot out the authentic ones:<\/p>\n