Additional information on Secret Shopper Schemes

Intelligence Note

Prepared by theInternet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

January 20, 2010

MYSTERY/SECRET SHOPPER SCHEMES

The IC3 has been alerted to an increase in employment schemes pertaining to mystery/secret shopper positions. Many retail and service corporations hire evaluators to perform secret or random checks on themselves or their competitors, and fraudsters are capitalizing on this employment opportunity.

Victims have reported to the IC3 they were contacted via e-mail and U.S. mail to apply to be a mystery shopper. Applicants are asked to send a resume and are purportedly subject to an extensive background check before being accepted as a mystery shopper. The employees are sent a check with instructions to shop at a specified retailer for a specific length of time and spend a specific amount on merchandise from the store. The employees receive instructions to take note of the store's environment, color, payment procedures, gift items, and shopping/carrier bags and report back to the employer. The second evaluation is the ease and accuracy of wiring money from the retail location. The money to be wired is also included in the check sent to the employee. The remaining balance is the employee's payment for the completion of the assignment. After merchandise is purchased and money is wired, the employees are advised by the bank the check cashed was counterfeit, and they are responsible for the money lost in addition to bank fees incurred.
In other versions of the scheme, applicants are requested to provide bank account information to have money directly deposited into their accounts. The fraudster then has acquired access to these victims' accounts and can withdraw money, which makes the applicant a victim of identity theft.

Tips

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of employment schemes associated with mystery/secret shopping:

• Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
• Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Virus scan all attachments, if possible.
• Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
• Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link you are actually directed to and determine if they match and will lead you to a legitimate site.
• There are legitimate mystery/secret shopper programs available. Research the legitimacy on companies hiring mystery shoppers. Legitimate companies will not charge an application fee and will accept applications on-line.
• No legitimate mystery/secret shopper program will send payment in advance and ask the employee to send a portion of it back.

Individuals who believe they have information pertaining to mystery/secret shopper schemes are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

Important Information...Please Read

Here's some more information about the Mystery Shopper scam! PLEASE READ AND HEED THE ADVICE!

ATTENTION: MAIL FRAUD ALERT

It has been brought to our attention that the current mail and check fraud scam reported on most national news networks is now plagiarizing our company information in an attempt to make the scam seem legitimate. Be advised that neither McMillion Research nor MindField Online employ or utilize mystery shoppers as it is not within our scope of services to our clientele. We understand the scam provides a considerable check and asks you to wire transfer portions of the funds to them only to find out the check is not legitimate and you will be responsible for any monies due to the bank and/or wiring services. If approached for this fraud attempt, please report it to your state's Attorney Generals office immediately and do not comply with it's requests. McMillion Research nor MindField Online will ever ask you to wire any monies to us in order to participate in our legitimate research objectives. For more information about the scam visit the following sites: (Links will open in a new window) As economy worsens, fake check scams spread Don't fall for this 'mystery shopper' scam How to Handle a Mystery Shopping Scam Check Secret Shopper Scams Secret-shopping scam: two for the price of one Tips for Recognizing and Avoiding Fake Check Scams

Beware Mystery Shoppers!

I was recently contracted to be a Mystery Shopper for Mystery Shopper, Inc. I was promised a $200 payout if I purchased $50 worth of stuff from Walmart AND sent a Western Union payment to an address in New Mexico. I was told to expect a package from FedEx which would contain a check for $3300. From that check I was asked to send $3025 to the New Mexico address and then send in an evaluation form to complete the process. IF YOU GET THIS TYPE OF OFFER REJECT IT IMMEDIATELY! I was suspicious of this activity and went online to find out more about the company Mystery Shoppers, Inc. Although it looks legitimate, there have been a number of claims filed against it for fraud. NEVER accept an assignment if you are expected to cash a check or money order and then send money to an address. It is a scam and you will be out of several thousands of dollars if you do it and you will not have any opportunity to recover you money. BUYER BEWARE! If it looks too good to be true, believe your inner voice...IT IS!

Mystery Shopper has also been know as Secret Shopper.