Marketers of Mystery Shopper Scam Settle with FTC; Agree to Pay $850,000

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An operation that lured consumers with promises that they could earn big money as trained and certified “mystery shoppers ” has agreed to pay $850,000 to settle charges of deceptive marketing and contempt.

Mystery shoppers are paid to shop or dine out and then provide reports about the experience. In March 2007, the Federal Trade Commission charged eight defendants – the three companies Mystery Shop Link, LLC; Tangent Group, LLC; Harp Marketing Services, Inc.; and five individuals – with violating the FTC Act in connection with a nationwide mystery shopping employment scam. More...

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