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Mystery Shopping Scams

Getting paid to shop sounds like a dream job — especially if you’re looking for a side job or going to school full-time. Don’t let your dream job turn into a nightmare. Find out how to avoid mystery
Consumer Alert

Fake check scams and your small business

Traci Armani
If someone you don’t know sends you a check and asks for money back, that’s a scam. But what if you’re a small business owner and someone “overpays” you and asks you to refund the balance? That’s
Consumer Alert

Scammy PPE sellers exploit COVID-19 fears

Colleen Tressler
Last month, the FTC filed its first case against an online seller that failed to ship next-day personal protective equipment (PPE) as promised. Today, we have an update: the FTC is filing three more
Consumer Alert

Fake offers for secret shopper jobs

Bridget Small
Did you get an offer to be a secret shopper for a well-known company? It might come as text, email, or letter inviting you to work on a ‘research project starting soon in your area.’ Several people
Consumer Alert

FTC: The bottom-line on fake checks scams

Colleen Tressler
If someone you don’t know sends you a check and asks for money back, that’s a scam. Fake checks drive many types of scams — like those involving phony job and income opportunities, online classified
Consumer Alert

Mystery shop ’til you drop? Not so fast

Lisa Lake
Who wouldn’t love getting paid to shop and dine at cool places and then review them? Whether you’re a student looking for a summer job or someone wanting to start a side or full-time business, mystery
Consumer Alert

Anatomy of a fake check scam

Colleen Tressler
Fake checks drive many types of scams – like those involving phony prize wins, fake jobs, mystery shoppers, online classified ad sales, and others. In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks