Note to new shoppers:

This is a funny example of a scam mystery shopper opportunity that uses a legitimate MSC's name. This is an example of why if you get an offer for a shop to go to the official links on this forum to sign up instead of using the link in the email or if the exact company is not found, ask for advice from fellow forum members. This email uses a legitimate mystery shopping company's name (Mystery Shoppers, Inc.) to further their believability. What stuck out to me as funny is that they want to pay me $170 an assignment. Somehow that just seems too good to be true for a company I have never worked for before to offer me that much!



From: Mystery Shopper <postmaster@storeshopping.com>
To:
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2014 1:24 PM
Subject: *****Become A Mystery Shopper Today.*****

We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like you to participate.
Mystery Shopper is accepting applications for qualified individuals to become
mystery shoppers. It's fun and rewarding, and you choose when and where you want to shop.
You are never obligated to accept an assignment. There is no charge to become a shopper and
you do not need previous experience.

Mystery Shopper NEVER charge fees to become a shopper, mystery shoppers are paid a prearranged fee
for a particular shop, We have available for immediate assignment an inspection of the customer service of any Western Union in your area. This fee will be paid upfront. During this shop you will visit the
location and make several observations as regards the customer service. You will be required to interact with the shop clerk. You may conduct the shop alone or as a couple.
The assignment will pay $170.00/ assignment.

Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly with the assignment.
You can also send the below required information as plain text email.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

First Name..
Middle Name..
Last Name..
Street Address(Not PO Box) ..
City, State, Zip Code ..
Cell Phone Number ..
Home Phone Number ..
Age..
Current Occupation..
Alternate Email Address ..
AVAILABILITY: Days/Hours Available

Monday .
Tuesday .
Wednesday .
Thursday .
Friday .
Saturday .
Sunday .
Hours Available:

We await your urgent response.

Thank you for your help. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Timothy White.
Mystery Shoppers, Inc.
PO Box 50578 Knoxville, TN 37950

I got my start mystery shopping from an email such as the one lbw1000 posted above. It seemed too good to be true so I googled the company (it was Bare International). I then sent them a copy of the email and asked if it was legit. They replied that it was a scam but if I was interested in mystery shopping, they had shops. The rest is history.