With Most Mystery Shopper Job Offer Scams, Cashiers’ Checks and Letters Arrive in the Mail
Wallingford, CT – May 24, 2012 – Secret shopper or mystery shopper scams usually arrive disguised as genuine job offers; recently, Better Business Bureau has been receiving inquiries from consumers who’ve received suspicious emails and letters from alleged “employers.”
With most mystery shopper job offer scams, cashiers’ checks and letters arrive in the mail.
“Congratulations! You have been selected as a mystery shopper for your area! Deposit the enclosed money order into your personal bank account and shop at the following stores … [large, well-known retailers] … rating your experience with customer service, product availability and cleanliness; wire-transfer the remaining balance back to company headquarters.”
A variation of overpayment scams, mystery shopper schemes leave depositors on the hook for the total amount when counterfeit checks ultimately bounce.
BBB urges you to be skeptical when considering mystery shopper job opportunities and avoid offers that:
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Require upfront payments or money-wiring
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Lack verifiable contact information
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Contain unrealistic or unsubstantiated earnings claims
More information on mystery shopper and related scams is available on the Federal Trade Commission website.
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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB helps consumers find and recommend businesses, brands and charities they can trust, offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust.
BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 116 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org/.
