Job scams
Is the mystery shopper job a scam?
Quick answer
If they send you a check to 'evaluate money transfer services,' yes — it's a scam. Real mystery shopping companies exist (Marketforce, BestMark, etc.) but they pay you AFTER shop reports, never by sending a check upfront to deposit and forward.
Red flags to look for
- Received a check before doing any work
- Asked to 'evaluate' Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart-to-Walmart, or Zelle by sending the money
- Told to keep a 'commission' and send the rest
- Hired without applying — they 'found you' on LinkedIn or by email
- The check arrived by FedEx with no return address
Real examples
Letter with check
Welcome to Quality Shopper LLC! Enclosed is your $2,950 assignment check. Step 1: deposit. Step 2: use $2,700 to wire-transfer-test Western Union at a nearby store, sending to John Smith in Florida. Step 3: keep $250 for your evaluation report.
Likely Scam
Real mystery shopping never involves the shopper sending real money. The check is fake — by the time it bounces (5-10 days), you've already wired $2,700 to the scammer, and you owe your bank the $2,950.
What to do
- Do not deposit the check.
- Do not wire any money or send any Zelle/MoneyGram on instruction.
- Report to the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association (mspa-americas.org).
- Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general.
- Shred the check and any materials.
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Why scammers use this approach
This scam combines fake employment with check fraud, exploiting the float between check deposit (provisional funds appear next day) and bounce confirmation (5-30 days). Victims become unwitting money mules.
Frequently asked questions
What about real mystery shopper jobs?
Real ones exist but never send you money upfront. You complete a shop with your own money (small amount, usually reimbursed) and submit a report. Find legitimate companies via mspa-americas.org.