Walmart Secret Shopper (It’s a Scam + Things to Watch Out for)
Some companies, retailers and restaurants hire secret or mystery shoppers to test customers’ retail experiences and report the results.
While this is a great way to make money, it can also cost you thousands of dollars if you fall for a scam. So, does Walmart have a secret shopping program? Here’s everything you need to know!
2022 Walmart Secret Shopper
As of 2022, Walmart has no secret shoppers. Walmart does not employ employees to provide services on behalf of the company or other retailers. So if you get an email inviting you to become a Walmart Secret Shopper or Mystery Shopper, it’s a scam. Walmart has warned its customers not to fall into this trap.
Read on to learn more about how the secret shopper scam works and how to recognize the signs!
What is a secret shopper?
Secret shoppers, also known as mystery shoppers, are assistants hired by retailers to conduct market research.
That said, these shoppers are hired to help companies learn more about the customer experience by testing products and services and reporting feedback.
Once hired, mystery shoppers make purchases at specific stores or restaurants and provide reports on the experience.
During the process, the secret shopper can pay for the product, which is then reimbursed by the retailer. On the other hand, shoppers can keep products.
Being a secret shopper doesn’t pay very well; therefore, most people who take on this task do it as a part-time job.
Does Walmart have secret shoppers?
According to Walmart’s website, it does not hire secret or mystery shoppers to evaluate its services.
Although Walmart doesn’t offer these services, scammers take advantage and send customers fraudulent messages via email or text message.
For example, based on some customer experiences, scammers send emails with fake checks attached.
How does the Walmart Secret Shopper scam work?
If you get an email or text message with an unsolicited job offer from Walmart to become a secret shopper, it’s mostly a scam.
In most cases, once the scammers send the text message, they also send you a check with some funds. That said, it’s often part of the training assignments that make the job look legitimate.
Also, they will ask you to deposit funds into your account within a few days.
Once you receive your money, you will be asked to test in-store money transfer via Western Union or MoneyGram.
Since the check is fake, it bounces and you have to repay the bank the full amount and penalty.
Additionally, you may be asked for your personal banking information, which scammers use to drain your account and identity theft.
What are the signs of fraud to watch out for?
Here are the signs to look out for to avoid falling into the Walmart Secret Shopper scam:
- Multiple emails are listed to undisclosed recipients
- The emails are from fictitious departments and the email addresses look like Walmart, e.g. Wal-Mart
- There is an extra email address in the “From” line
- Sites without the Walmart Brand and Privacy Policy
- When senders use outdated Walmart logos and branding
How can you protect yourself from the Walmart secret shopper scam?
To avoid falling into this type of scam, you need to know that employees hired by Walmart have to go through a formal hiring process, which includes drug testing and paperwork.
Additionally, Walmart does not mail its customer checks to deposit or purchase items at any of its stores. So once you get this in your inbox, you should know it’s a scam.
So if you get a check in the email to be a mystery shopper, it shouldn’t be credited to your account.
Additionally, you should not open or reply to any unsolicited emails containing offers to become a Walmart Secret Shopper, as this service does not exist.
Also, you should not respond to online advertisements offering free gift cards; this is one way to fall into the trap of scammers.
How do you report a Walmart secret shopper scam?
If you get an email about Mystery Shopping at Walmart, you can report these issues before you fall victim to a scammer.
For example, if you’ve sent money to a scammer, you can use MoneyGram to fill out an online complaint form.
On the other hand, if you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from Walmart, you can send the email as an attachment to the retailer at OnlineAbuse@walmart.com.
Additionally, if you discover a mystery shopper scam, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for further assistance.
Are there legitimate secret shopper deals?
Yes, there are legitimate mystery shopper deals, and they’ll rarely send you a check before they’re done.
For example, you can visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website to check for legitimate companies.
That said, they have a database of available jobs and a list of service providers offering legitimate secret shopping jobs.
To avoid being scammed, remember that MPSA does not advertise secret shopper jobs; therefore, you should not respond to job notifications claiming to be from them.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on the Walmart dress code, whether Walmart hires seniors, and whether Walmart hires people who misbehave.
in conclusion
Walmart has no secret shoppers and does not employ employees to provide services on behalf of the company or other retailers.
So if you get an email inviting you to become a Walmart Secret Shopper or Mystery Shopper, it’s a scam.
As such, Walmart has warned its customers to avoid falling into this trap, with signs customers can look out for to protect themselves from scammers.
While MSPAs offer legitimate secret shopper deals, they are usually not advertised; therefore, you should only check the website for more information.
