Every scam around this business is trying to part you with your money for 'certifications' or referrals. Read through this section of the forum (the 'Sticky' notes at the top) for some suggestions of reasonable first companies to sign up with. Then note that below the 'Your Reply' box on every thread is a link to a list of companies titled "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies". These are legitimate companies. Most have a job board where you can go and request or self assign work, obtain your instructions and report your jobs. Shopping requires shopper initiative to get signed up for work, request it, perform it, report it and keep track of it both for follow up to get your payments and for taxes.