Beware of Mystery Shopper Scams @McAfeeConsumer

6 Jan 2013 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:16

In this short video segment, the hosts warn viewers about holiday‑season scams that exploit the festive mood. They first describe a common “mystery shopper” job offer that appears legitimate—sometimes even involving a real person—but ultimately requires the victim to pay money before receiving a work packet, making it a classic cash‑fleece scam. The second warning covers phishing emails that masquerade as hotel refund notices during travel season; clicking the embedded link can install malware or harvest personal data. The segment cites internet‑security expert Robert Siciliano, who advises users to avoid suspicious links and to keep robust antivirus software installed. Overall, the message is a cautionary call to stay vigilant and protect personal and financial information during the holidays.

While most of us focus on the fun of the Christmas season, we also need to be alert to the hazards of the holidays. Scammers will try to take advantage of the season. They may come after you through email. For example, we talked to an internet security expert who says you should be cautious about invitations to be a mystery shopper. The McAfee Company says these offers may sound real, and they may even put you in touch with a real person.
And as long as you pay a certain amount of money, then you get a packet in the mail ultimately so that you can have this job, you can make a lot of money and so forth. But the reality of it is it's a scam. There are very few of these mystery shopper type legitimate offerings. Again, it's a job scam designed to fleece you of your hard-earned cash.
You might also see another scam in your inbox. Watch out for messages claiming to report improper charges on your credit card. During the travel season, it might appear to come from a hotel telling you to Click on a link to get your money back. Well, that could be enough to put malware on your computer or reveal personal information that you don't want to share. So Siciliano's advice is be careful about the links you follow, and it's his business to suggest having good antivirus software in your computer.