Dear Attorney General,
I’ve noticed a lot of advertisements online for “secret shoppers.” The ads are looking for people to fill out surveys or write reviews of restaurants and retailers in exchange for free merchandise or money. Is this for real?
Dear Kansas consumer,
While there are legitimate organizations that employ “secret shoppers” there are also a number of phony advertisements trying to scam you out of money. My Office of Consumer Protection has received a number of complaints from Kansans who have been caught in “mystery shopper” scams.
The scam typically works this way: you respond to an ad looking for a mystery shopper or an “investigative shopper.” The company tells you that you can earn money by purchasing items at retail stores or dining at restaurants. The company then sends you an employment packet with evaluation materials.
There are a few different ways these types of offers can cost you money. Often, the company asks you to pre-pay for the application packet and for your purchase at the restaurant or store. Once the company has your initial payment, you may never hear from them again.
Another serious scam associated with these offers is check fraud. Sometimes, the application packet you receive will contain a cashier’s check for $1,000 or more. You are expected to cash the check, pose as a customer and wire the money to an address in Canada, usually within 48 hours. This check is later found to be fraudulent and you are held responsible for the lost money.
Consumers should use caution when responding to “secret shopper” offers. Always remember that a reputable company would never send you a cashier’s check out of the blue, charge you money just for applying or guarantee you a position working with them. Legitimate secret shopper companies generally do not advertise for jobs on the radio, in a newspaper’s “help wanted” section or through unsolicited emails.
When considering a secret shopper offer, or any other potential scam, always remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
As your Attorney General, I will work to keep Kansans safe by spreading information and promoting awareness of consumer issues. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, or have any questions or concerns about consumer issues, please contact my Consumer Protection Division at 785-296-3751 or 1-800-432-2310.