BUFFALO — You’ve been invited to check out a favorite retailer by secretly shopping the store and evaluate the quality of service, product availability, and, the best part — keep the items plus earn a paycheck. It really does sound like a too-good-to-be-true opportunity, however, such a job does exist and is sanctioned by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA).

But, as we all know, for every good opportunity, there is a scam behind it.

Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York wants everyone to know the warning signs of a mystery/secret shopper scam.

The fake ads are out there

Newspaper ads, emails and online popup ads create the impression that mystery shopping jobs are the path to personal wealth with a high-paying job with reputable companies. Fake websites are created where people can register to become a mystery shopper but first, and here’s where the scam begins, you have to pay a fee for a certification program, directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.

Another red flag is the direct solicitation that is received by email is stating the recipient has been hired by a company as a secret shopper. The first assignment is to evaluate a wire transfer service. If they respond to it, they’ll get a check in the mail with instructions to deposit into their personal account, withdraw a certain amount in cash and wire it to a third party. It’s never a good idea to deposit a check from someone you don’t know and then wire money back or to another address. You’ll be responsible for the bank fees and unintended consequences afterward.

Legitimate shopping opportunities are free

Legitimate companies don’t charge people to work for them – they pay people to work for them. It’s certainly worth taking a few minutes to conduct quick online research for reviews and comments about mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications online. Just be sure to go past the homepage and look at the company itself on bbb.org to see what other people are saying about them.

Use the source

Visit the MSPA directly to search a database of mystery shopping assignments, how to apply, and to see any benefits. Be advised that the Association does offer certifications for a fee, but that fee isn’t required to look or apply for assignments in its database.

See a scam, report it

Avoid doing business with mystery shopping companies that advertise in a newspaper help-wanted section, contact you directly on LinkedIn without you contacting them first, require payment for certification, or charge additional fees or sell directories of companies that hire mystery shoppers. If you get a check in the mail that seems suspicious, do not cash it. If you suspect a secret or mystery shopper scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission, State Attorney General Office or BBB’s Scam Tracker.