How to avoid mystery shopping scams?
With Mystery Shopping opportunities available across the UK, it can be hard to separate the legitimate opportunities from the scams. Read on to find out how you can spot the signs of a dodgy opportunity, and avoid falling prey to malicious schemes.
What are some common mystery shopper scams?
Mystery Shopping assignments are quick and simple ways to earn some extra cash in your spare time. If something sounds too good to be true, or the process is complicated from the start, then there’s a good chance the opportunity isn’t legitimate. Some of the most pervasive Mystery Shopping scams include:
Fake check scams
Fake check scams are a popular way for scammers to lure innocent people into sending them money. They may claim to be sending you a check to give you funds for a Mystery Shopping task, “accidentally” sending more than they should. You’ll send them back the excess from your own money, after which the check will bounce and you will have been scammed.
Some scams may resemble real Mystery Shopping tasks by asking you to buy a gift card using money that they have allegedly sent to you. The company can then ask you to send the redemption codes, using the funds on the cards and leaving you out of pocket when the check doesn’t go through.
Upfront payment scams
Upfront payment scams take advantage of your desire to jump into Mystery Shopping, often insisting on an upfront payment as a fee for “sourcing” Mystery Shopping assignments. At IPSOS, there are no upfront costs- simply sign up using your basic information and get started. With hundreds of assignments readily available on our iShopForIpsos portal, finding exciting assignments will be quick, easy, and most importantly free!
Phishing scams
Phishing scams can also be used by fake Mystery Shopping sites to entice you into handing over your data. Composed of emails, text messages or phone calls, these scams can be incredibly sophisticated, mimicking outreach you might receive from legitimate companies, or even posing as a different business altogether. The aim of these scams can be to make you visit a website and upload your information so that scammers can get access to your bank details and personal information. As of July 2024, there have been over 33 million reported scams, so this is certainly a prevalent method of tricking the public into handing over sensitive information.
How can you protect yourself from mystery shopper scams?
When you’re aware of what a scam looks like and how they work, it’s easier for you to protect yourself against scams. There are quick and easy ways to give yourself greater peace of mind, helping you to protect your info by recognising red flags early on.
Research the company
The best way to protect yourself against Mystery Shopper scams is to have a clear understanding of the company before you register for anything. Use a search engine to research the company- if they are a scam company, it's likely this will be flagged in the results. If you’re interested in becoming a Mystery Shopper, don’t click on links shared through emails or texts. Regulated Mystery Shopping platforms, like Ipsos, will have a website and portals with which you can create an account without having to make any initial payments.
Avoid upfront payments
A major red flag that the opportunity you’re interested in is a scam is if they ask you to put down money before you begin taking on assignments. Be wary of companies that send you invoices as part of the signup process, or ask you to submit payment details. Certified companies won’t expect you to cash out to take on an assignment. They also won’t send you money before an assignment is completed. If a company is offering to send you money to complete a task, it’s likely that it’s a scam designed to trick you into sending your own money. At Ipsos, we won’t ask you to put down any initial payments, and will only send you money once an assignment has been completed and the feedback is submitted via the iShopForIpsos portal.
Protect personal information
Legitimate Mystery Shopping platforms will never ask you to share your personal information outside of a protected platform. Watch out for companies that try to get you to share personal information like your name, address and bank details via text, email or telephone- especially before you’ve completed an assignment. Secure sites typically include a green padlock symbol across any portals that ask you to submit personal details. When registering with IPSOS, you will only need to submit basic information and won’t be asked to provide any further details until you’ve completed your first assignment.
What should you do if you’re a victim of a mystery shopping scam?
It can be scary when you realise you’ve been caught out by a scam. Try not to panic; follow these carefully considered steps to protect yourself.
Stop communication
Scammers will try to manipulate you by keeping your attention for as long as possible. If you suspect that a fraudulent Mystery Shopping site is trying to scam you, it’s important to cease contact as soon as possible. Don’t open emails or links sent from the business, or divulge any information over the phone. As a Mystery Shopper with IPSOS, all communications are completed within the IPSOS portal and app, so that you can be confident that all correspondence is kept on record.
Report the scam
If you recognise a Mystery Shopping scam, you can help protect yourself and others by notifying the authorities. You can report a scam via the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website, which also includes more information on how to react if you encounter a scam. If you’re worried that you’ve fallen victim to a scam and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can contact Action Fraud to report the scam. It can be upsetting and scary if you think you’ve been scammed, but try to stay calm: there are systems in place to support you.
Notify your bank
If you’ve already transferred money, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your bank as soon as possible. You can report the transaction as fraudulent using your banking app, online, via telephone or by visiting in person. If you’re quick to act, your bank may be able to stop the transfer before it occurs. Most banks have fraud recovery services, so even if the money has been transferred you may be able to recover it.
Looking for a recognised, safe space to explore Mystery Shopping opportunities? IPSOS can provide you with amazing opportunities to make extra money and explore your local area or from the comfort of your own home. Read our FAQs to find out more about what Mystery Shopping can do for you.
