Wire Transfer / Money Order Scam:

This scam involves getting potential shoppers to accept a Cashier's Check or Money Order (usually in the amounts of $1,000 - $4,500, although the recent scam is an amount just under $1,000), asking them to cash it and then wire a portion of the money back (to the scammers), usually to a bank outside of the US.   Shoppers may be called on the phone and interviewed prior to being "accepted" for this and other assignments.  Some scammers go as far as sending the funds in the mail with instructions on how to complete the assignment.  They may go as far as using a LEGITIMATE mystery company name. Shopper instructions include wiring a portion of the money to an international address and keeping a portion (usually $300) as payment for completing the assignment, or their training fee.
    

The checks always bounce, leaving the shopper liable for the entire amount and banking fees, and with no way to recover the money they have wired.  Many victims of this scam had their resume posted on Monster.com or Career Builders.  The A Top Shop! name was used in a similar scam!  Click here for an actual email that was circulating, using our name.  This originated on Craig's List.

Cat Burglar Scam:

Shopper is called and interviewed (usually by a female), then selected to accept and assignment.  You are given a specific time to be at the "assignment" and asked to call on your cell phone to let them know you are at your assignment.  The "assignment" is usually 30-45 minutes from your home, and you are paid well for traveling the distance!  When the shopper returns home, they realize they have been robbed.  You are never paid for the assignment and the telephone number you called is disconnected.

If you feel that you have been the victim of a mystery shopping scam, contact your local authorities immediately!  The more information you give to the authorities, the better chance they have of helping you!  Below are some Do's and Don'ts on how you can protect yourself from scams.

DO:

• Pay close attention to the email address you receive concerning job assignments.
• Make sure the mystery shopping company is legitimate!  If in doubt, call them on the phone!
• Before you register, ask about their data sharing policy.  Be sure that your name and personal information will not be sold to telemarketing agencies.

DON'T:

• Pay to mystery shop! MOST legitimate companies DO NOT charge you to submit an application.
• Give out your bank information or SS# unless you are sure the site is SECURE AND ENCRYPTED.  The web address would start with:  https://  (Note that most do not include the "s" which stands for Secure.)  Always use caution when giving your personal information.