The mystery-shopper scam

A scammer poses as a company hiring people to evaluate stores or services, then pressures you to send your own money upfront or via wire transfer, promising quick repayment.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z

How it works

You're contacted (by email, phone, or social media) with an exciting job offer that sounds simple and remote. After a brief 'interview,' they send you a check and ask you to deposit it, then wire some of that money back to them as a 'test' or to 'evaluate' a service. The check later bounces, but by then your own money is gone.

What it can look like

You receive an email saying you've been selected as a mystery shopper and a check for $2,000 arrives in the mail. They ask you to deposit it and then send $1,500 to a company via wire transfer to 'evaluate' their payment system. You do it, but weeks later your bank tells you the check was fake.

How it unfolds

Scams like this follow a pattern. Knowing the arc helps you notice where you are — and step away before the ask.

You receive an unsolicited email, text, or social-media message offering you easy money for simple 'shopping assignments'—testing stores or services and reporting back. You're asked to provide basic contact details to apply.

After a quick 'approval,' you're told your first assignment is ready. You're instructed to purchase items at a store (or transfer money, load a gift card, or wire funds) using your own money, then submit receipts or photos as proof. You're promised quick reimbursement plus a fee.

You complete the purchase and send proof as requested. Days pass. Then you're told there's a 'processing delay' or 'accounting hold,' and you're asked to complete another assignment immediately—or front more money for a 'verification deposit'—to unlock your payment.

You realize the promised reimbursement never arrives, or only a fake confirmation email appeared. Any money you sent is gone. The contact stops responding, or the phone number and email vanish. This is the moment to stop and seek help.

Red flags

Job offer comes unsolicited by phone, email, or social media, with little or no real interview.
You're asked to deposit a check and then send money back or wire funds to strangers.
The 'employer' pressures you to act quickly or says the opportunity is limited.
They offer unusually high pay for simple, work-from-home tasks.
Communication is vague about the actual company name or uses generic language.

What to do

Do not deposit any check or send any money, no matter how official it looks.
Hang up or stop communicating, and verify any job offer directly with the company's official website or phone number.
Report the contact to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

If it already happened

Acting quickly can limit the damage. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

Stop all contact and do not send any more money or personal information, no matter what follow-up messages claim.
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to report the unauthorized or fraudulent transaction. Ask if any transfers or payments can be reversed or disputed.
Document everything: save all emails, texts, screenshots, and records of what you paid, when, and to whom. Note any account numbers or phone numbers used.
Report the fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and consider reporting to your local police non-emergency line so there is an official record.

Sources

Guidance on this page draws on public, authoritative consumer-protection resources (verified live 2026-07-10). Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z.

Spotted this or lost money? Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is general educational information, not legal or financial advice — and ScamVet never asks for your identity or account details.

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