NASHVILLE -- State Division of Consumer Affairs' officials are warning Tennessee consumers to be wary of "mystery shopper scams."
The division said Thursday it has received several reports of scammers seeking to take advantage of a practice by some retailers, who hire consumers to secretly evaluate their stores' customer service.
That's known as practice as "mystery shopping" or "secret shopping." But officials say unscrupulous mystery shopping scams, sometimes operated through emails, can leave consumers holding the bag.
In Tennessee, the Division of Consumer Affairs has fielded four consumer complaints since July 2014 related to mystery shopping scams.
In legitimate mystery shopping arrangements, consumers will shop at a store, report on their experience and are reimbursed for their purchase or are allowed to keep their purchases.
But scammers seeking to take advantage of consumers will create fraudulent mystery shopping solicitations sometimes by mail or email promising to pay consumers to evaluate a retail experience or products.
Stores mentioned in the scammers' ads, however, really have no affiliation with the "scam artist," Consumer Affairs says.
Lured into the scam by fraudulent offers, fake checks and wire transfers, consumers are persuaded into sending money to the scammers, many of who are outside the U.S.
The division advises consumers not to open or respond to unsolicited emails asking you to become a mystery shopper or secret shopper. And never deposit a check you receive in the mail from a "mystery shopping" company because you may wind up having to pay when it bounces.
Officials say no legitimate business will pay in advance and ask you to send back a portion of the money.