Mystery Shopper Scam Awareness
Important Notice:
HS Brands Global does not require any form of payment to become a mystery shopper. We do not charge application fees, training fees, or request any type of upfront payment at any stage of the process. We also do not send any unsolicited checks.
Unfortunately, scam attempts within the mystery shopping industry are common and can appear very convincing. These scams often involve individuals posing as legitimate companies, sometimes using real company names, logos, or branding to appear credible.
Common scam tactics include:
- Sending unsolicited checks by mail
- Emails or letters that appear to come from a mystery shopping company
- Instructions to deposit a check and send a portion of the money back
- Requests to purchase gift cards or wire money
If you receive any communication claiming to be from HS Brands that includes these elements, it is fraudulent.
To protect yourself:
- Do not deposit the check
- Do not send money or gift cards
- Do not provide personal or banking information
- Report the incident immediately
If you are not a registered shopper with HS Brands, you should never receive any legitimate communication, offers, or payments from us. All official opportunities are extended only to active shoppers within our system.
If you ever have questions about the legitimacy of a message or offer received from “HS Brands”, we strongly encourage you to contact us directly before taking any action.
Phone: 800-723-1150
Email: usshoppers@hsbrands.com
Thank you for helping us remain vigilant against fraudulent activity and for doing your part to protect yourself and the mystery shopping community.
For more information on how to identify and avoid mystery shopping scams, please visit the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association scam reporting page or review resources from the FTC Mystery Shopping Scam Article.
If you believe you were targeted by a scam
If you believe you were targeted by a scam, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recommend taking the following steps.
Gather and save information about the scam
Create a file with any evidence related to the communication. The more information you can provide, the more helpful it may be to investigators. Examples of helpful information include:
Contact information used by the scammer
- Name used
- Email address
- Phone number
- Website or social media profile
- Any business name or title used
Details of the incident
- Dates of communication or transactions
- Amount of money requested or lost (if applicable)
- Method of payment requested (gift cards, wire transfer, check, etc.)
- How the scammer contacted you (email, text, social media, etc.)
Documentation
- Copies or screenshots of emails or letters
- Screenshots of websites or job postings
- Text message or chat transcripts
- Payment receipts or transaction records
- Envelopes and correspondence, if applicable
Reporting a Scam
Reporting scams helps law enforcement identify patterns and shut down fraudulent operations.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Report fraud or scams at:
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
File a report if you were targeted or victimized by an online scam:
Your State Attorney General
Directory of offices:
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
If the scam involved mail or checks sent through the postal system, you can report it here:
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