Tip Of The Day: Beware Of Fake Mystery Shoppers

Mystery Shoppers do exist and it is a way to make some extra cash, but there are probably more scammers out there promising such jobs, just to get their hands on your cash. These are some warning signs:

• Be wary of unsolicited emails. Legitimate mystery shopper companies generally do not advertise in this manner.

• If they charge a fee to access mystery shopping job opportunities. You should not pay any fee to apply or to obtain job information.

• A company should have an established office that you can visit in person. Be wary of companies that only have post office boxes.

Check with the Better Business Bureau and investigate any business offering this sort of employment.

Real Mystery Shopping companies are out there. A good site to check out is the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. Companies affiliated with this site have to go through an approval process and agree to uphold certain ethical standards. You can learn which companies are members at the MSPA website -- www.mysteryshop.org.

Do NOT assume that a company is illegitimate just because they don't belong to the MSPA, but it is a good barometer that it's a company you can trust.