How can you be sure a mystery shopping offer is not a scam?

If you receive an unsolicited email wanting you to register as a mystery shopper, this is a red flag, especially if the offer seems to be too good to be true.  There is no legitimate mystery shopping company that will say they will send you a check then for you to cash the check and wire a percentage back.

Scammers are now starting to use names of legitimate mystery shopping companies.  If you receive an email with the name of a mystery shopping company try Googling the name of the company then call them direct (from the number on their homepage, not the number listed on the email).  

Another thing we are seeing is that they are asking you for your address (No PO Boxes) and phone number. This is not a wise thing to provide because now the bad guys have your home address.

So, if you want to be a mystery shopper you should register directly to the mystery shopping company. For a list of MSPA  (Mystery Shopping Provider's Association) member mystery shopping companies go to www.mysteryshop.org.  There you can get a list of companies, usually with their web site link. You can also get a list by going to www.volition.com under Forums.  There is a list of MSPA and non-MSPA companies there as well.

Stay away from those mystery shopping companies who advertise on Craig's List or  other public boards.