Mystery Shopping Scams: Red Flags and How to Stay Safe

Have you received an unexpected text, email or letter offering hundreds of dollars for a mystery shopping assignment? Pause before you respond. Mystery shopping scams can copy trusted brands, making fake offers look real and awfully tempting. 

Secret shopping is a legitimate way to earn extra income, so knowing the red flags around the scams can help you protect yourself and fully enjoy the fruits of your work.

A scammer may send you a check/cheque before any work. They tell you to deposit it, keep part as payment and use the rest to buy gift cards, send a wire transfer or forward money elsewhere.

The check may appear in your account, but that does not mean it is valid. Banks can make funds available before discovering it is counterfeit. When the fake mystery shopper check is returned, the deposit disappears and you may be responsible for the money you sent or spent.

Other mystery shopping scam warning signs⚠️

Fake checks/cheques are common, but not the only risk. Watch for these signs:

• Upfront fees: You are asked to pay to register, apply, access assignments or guarantee work. Legitimate mystery shopping companies don’t charge shoppers to apply.
• Impersonation: A message uses a real company’s name, logo or employee name, but comes from a personal email account or misspelled website.
• Unsolicited messages: You receive an offer by text, WhatsApp, social media, email or mail even though you never registered.
• Unrealistic pay: The offer promises unusually high payment for an easy task or says you can quickly replace a full-time income.
• Gift card or crypto requests: You are told to purchase gift cards, reveal the card numbers, send cryptocurrency or move money through your account.
• Pressure to act: The sender creates urgency, tells you not to contact the company or asks you to keep the assignment secret.
• Requests for sensitive information: Someone asks for banking credentials, credit card details, passwords or identity documents before you verify them.

How to Avoid Mystery Shopping Scams❌

Always begin with the company’s official website instead of a link from an unexpected message. Review its registration process, shopper resources, contact information and payment details. You can also check the MSPA Americas Service Provider Search.

If you are unsure, contact the company through the email address, phone number or support form on its official website. Don’t use contact details supplied by the person who approached you.

Here are some ways to avoid Mystery Shopping scams:

1. Don’t pay to get work. A legitimate company will not charge registration, training or certification fees before offering assignments.
2. Use free job sources. Mystery shopping opportunities are available through official company websites and trusted industry directories. There is no need to pay for a job list.
3. Never transfer money for an assignment. Requests to wire money, buy gift cards or send cryptocurrency are a clear mystery shopper scam warning.
4. Verify the company’s contact details. Check the sender’s email address and website carefully. Contact the company through its official website if anything looks suspicious.
5. Protect your personal information. Only share necessary payment or tax details through a secure, verified shopper platform.

How to verify official Intouch Insight channels🔍

Intouch Insight is a legitimate mystery shopping company and has been in business for more than 40 years.

To find opportunities with Intouch Insight, start at IntouchShoppers.com. The official Sign-up and Login pages direct shoppers to the approved platforms.

Scammers may try to use Intouch Insight's trademark logos, and if a message claiming to be from Intouch Insight feels suspicious, don’t reply, click its links or deposit a check. Contact our dedicated Shopper Support through the official website or email intouchshoppers@intouchinsight.com to verify it.

What to do if you receive a scam offer❓

Save screenshots, emails, envelopes, phone numbers and payment instructions. If you shared financial information or sent money, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Report the incident to local police and the appropriate fraud agency: the Federal Trade Commission in the United States or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in Canada.

Stay Alert and Shop Safely🛍️

Mystery shopping scams can look convincing, but checking the details can help you stay safe. Verify every opportunity, avoid suspicious payment requests and protect your personal information.

And if you would like to join a reliable mystery shopping program, check out our selection of mystery shopping services below.

Frequently Asked Questions