Hello everyone I'm new to Mystery Shopping, I did only six shops so far for one company they were easy, paid well and I was pleased. I've been checking out some of these company and they ask for birth dates, family income, addresses, etc. too much personal information, I didn't have to do that with The Seer Group. I have a Pay-Pal account and that took care of them being able to pay me.

Can someone who's signed up with lots of companies tell me which companies don't ask for all this personal info. So far I haven't come across any that ask for soc sec or checking account, I wouldn't entertain those companies if they did.

Thanks for your help, have a great day, God Bless!

Brenda

I know nothing about the Seer Group except that their name has been used for scams involving wire transfer of funds. I am hoping that you did not get lured into one of those.

Most legitimate mystery shopping companies REQUIRE a valid social security number to work with them and get paid. Some will allow you to add on a social security number after your first shop, some will require it somewhere before you hit $600 in fees earned. There are several reasons for requiring a valid social security number. One obviously has to do with taxes and another has to do with discouraging shoppers from signing up multiple times to attempt to beat rotation requirements for jobs. If they don't even ask for your social security number I would be very concerned.

Most legitimate mystery shopping companies ask for a date of birth to determine which shoppers meet the criteria of which clients. For example, once you hit 40 or 50 there is no reason to send you on an alcohol or tobacco compliance shop if their employees are to card anyone who "looks like they are under 35".

Education and household income have to do with shoppers who may fit the demographic profile for clients doing rent-to-own furniture or upscale automobiles.

Legitimate companies are not prying into your personal life but attempting to determine what shops may be in your area to offer you, what client profiles you fit for shops and of course routing and account numbers of your bank account are needed to pay you by direct deposit. Be aware that your routing and account numbers are on every check you write, so are obviously available out there whenever you write a check. The banks have safeguards in place to keep unauthorized deductions from your account because should that occur, the bank will need to recover the funds.

Thanks alot Flash being that you are a Super Star member I take it that you know what you are talking about. I appreciate the information.

ILOVE2SHOP,
It is entirely legitimate for MSCs to gather demographic information so that they can match shoppers to the profiles required by their clients. If you are a teenager they will not want you for retirement living shops; if you are 66, they will not want you to test whether or not your ID is checked in a bar. The type of car that you drive may be a factor in determining whether or not you are sent to shop a Mercedes Benz dealer, etc. Other types of assignments may require a credit card with a very high limit, a very high or very low credit score, or a bank account with a specific bank, and even a very high balance with that financial institution. You do not have to work for the MSCs that do these sorts of work, but you may be passing up some very interesting assignments by limiting the number of companies that you work with.

Legitimate companies also must comply with Federal tax reporting standards, which require that they use either your social Security number or an EIN. Since there are some problems that may arise from using the EIN option, and no real advantages to that option, expect to have to report your SSN.

Thanks walesmaven for the information, I appreciate it.