Yesterday, I posted Shopper's Critiques International, and I thought it important to mention a scam alert was posted on their site involving check cashing and money transfers.  The scam alert was sent out by MSPA, and I have posted it once before, but I consider it a responsibility to post scams whenever I see any.  Unfortunately, the secret shopping industry is a target for scams because of the independent relationship between shoppers and shopping companies.

Shopper's Critique is a legit company, and they want to remind everyone, they NEVER conduct mystery shops involving check cashing or money order transfers. 

However, and this is very important!!!!  There are secret shopping companies that do shop BRICK AND MORTAR check cashing facilities that are not a scam.  This type of shop requires a check to be cashed at the check cashing facility, then the secret shopping company reimburses the shopper for fees...this is legit. Think about it for a moment...the shopper is cashing their own check and getting their own money right then and there and need only to wait for their shopper pay and reimbursement for any check cashing fees...this make sense.  I have done these types of shops myself (super, super easy shops).  But, if a secret shopping company asks a shopper to send THEM money, cash a check, or transfer money to THEM, it is probably a scam. NO LEGIT SECRET SHOPPING COMPANY WILL EVER ASK A SHOPPER TO SEND THEM MONEY FOR ANY REASON!!! Follow this rule of thumb, and you'll be okay.

I listed the link below to the scam alert page on Shopper's Critique site. Contact information is there for your local FBI office, Federal Trade Commission, and Internet Crime Complaint Center.  If EVER in doubt of a situation, take advantage of the contact information.  It is important everyone "team-up" to rid the industry of scamming.  I get quite a bit of traffic on this blog, and I hope all will take a moment to spread the word about scam alerts when they are posted.  The legit secret shopping industry is a great job that pays well and offers flexibility bar none to any other occupation.  We should do our best to protect the industry.

Scam Alert