Also, don't fall for those mystery shopping promises that say you will receive a gift card/check to spend for your expenses or deposit a check into your bank account to use for your mystery shopping expenses BEFORE you perform the mystery shopping shop. Legit mystery shopping companies will pay you the set fees after you performed a shop for them correctly. Start off with the lower paying fees first before working up to the higher paying fees to get your feet wet. For example, fast food restaurant or gas station shops for $5 to $10. Apartment shopping fees $25 to $60.