Business ProfileforGladstone Survey Service

BBB began an investigation on Gladstone Survey based on complaint activity and submissions to BBB's Scam Tracker.

Specifically, consumers allege that Gladstone Survey is sending emails from what appears to be legitimate educational email address. They offer employment as a mystery shopper and send a check for approximately $2500 to interested parties to cover expenses. Consumers are instructed to deposit the check for expenses and send a portion back to the company. Consumers who followed these instructions later learned the check was fraudulent, leaving them responsible for owing the bank $2500 for the fake check.

To seek voluntary cooperation in responding to consumer complaints and to provide information so consumers may make an informed decision, BBB contacted Gladstone Survey requesting background and other information on its principals. The email provided, Charles.story@gladstonesurveyservice.com bounced back as undeliverable. When attempting to call the company at 404-590-1371, a recording is reached to leave your name and telephone number with a message that states they will "try to connect you." The company's website, which was created in August 2018, - http://gladstonesurveyservice.com/ - is no longer active.

The address provided for Gladstone Survey, 587 Whitehall Street, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, appears to be an abandoned building. Based on BBB's investigation, this offer appears to be a mystery shopping job scam.

BBB recommends extreme caution prior to accepting any job offer from an unknown company. Do not deposit checks or cashier checks from companies promising you a job as a secret shopper or mystery shopper without verifying the legitimacy of the business making the offer.

BBB offers the following advice regarding mystery and secret shopping services:

What is Mystery Shopping?

Some retailers hire companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; they often use mystery shoppers to get the information. They instruct a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed and can keep the product or service. Sometimes the shopper receives a small payment, as well.

Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies.

Don't Pay to Be a Mystery Shopper:

Dishonest promoters use newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that mystery shopping jobs are a gateway to a high-paying job with reputable companies. They often create websites where you can "register" to become a mystery shopper, but first you have to pay a fee -- for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.

It's unnecessary to pay anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The certification offered is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free, and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are listed on the internet for free. If you try to get a refund from the promoters, you will be out of luck. Either the business won't return your phone calls, or if it does, it's to try another pitch.

Don't Wire Money:

You may have heard about people who are "hired" to be mystery shoppers, and told that their first assignment is to evaluate a money transfer service, like Western Union or MoneyGram. The shopper receives a check with instructions to deposit it in a personal bank account, withdraw the amount in cash, and wire it to a third party. The check is a fake.

By law, banks must make the funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. It may seem that the check has cleared and that the money has posted to the account, but when the check turns out to be a fake, the person who deposited the check and wired the money will be responsible for paying back the bank.

It's never a good idea to deposit a check from someone you don't know and then wire money back.

Tips for Finding Legitimate Mystery Shopping Jobs:

Becoming a mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn't cost anything. Here's how you can do it:

Research mystery shopping. Check libraries, bookstores, or online sites for tips on how to find legitimate companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively.

Search the internet for reviews and comments about mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications online. Dig deeper. Shills may be paid to post positive reviews.

Remember that legitimate companies don'tchargepeople to work for them - theypaypeople to work for them.

Never wire money as part of a mystery shopping assignment.

You can visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at mysteryshop.org to search a database of mystery shopper assignments and learn how to apply for them. The MSPA offers certification programs for a fee, but you don't need "certification" to look - or apply - for assignments in its database.

In the meantime, don't do business with mystery shopping promoters who:

Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper's 'help wanted' section or by email.

Require that you pay for "certification."

Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper.

Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities.

Sell directories of companies that hire mystery shoppers.

Ask you to deposit a check and wire some or all of the money to someone.