Is this a scam (probably been around for a while but I didn't know it)....

[LaurenSilbs]

Greetings all,  Received the email below, to sign up for a secret shopper service, follow link, etc......and complete a full survey that includes giving your paypal email address; some of the questions left me feeling very uneasy (ss#, where I bank, etc...all of which I did not answer honestly,thank goodness), so I googled it (after I filled it out, idiot move on my part) and definitely think it was a scam.  I am wanting to be sure, and also to ask, this is like the third attempt in two weeks that someone has tried to hack my info, what can I do differently to not be a victim seemingly on a daily basis, against these horrible people?  There were several email addresses that were included in my original email, not sure if they are real and/or if I should email them all and advise that it is not legit.  Any feedback that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!  Lauren

To All:

I have a mystery shop at a high end retail store in Highland Park. The payout is $60.

Assignment in a nut shell:

You will browse 3 departments and report in detail the brand named counters you visit in each department.

You will report on the interaction between you and the sales associates.

You will make a specifically assigned purchase of $500. or less.

You will return this item after a full 24 hours.

Example: Purchase on Wednesday - Return on Friday.

I have only one shop left because they are going quickly.

Please log onto and complete the application.

As SOON as you have done this please notify me by EMAIL and I can assign this shop to you.

I look forward to working with you,

[surplusdealdude]

this is like the third attempt in two weeks that someone has tried to hack my info, what can I do differently to not be a victim seemingly on a daily basis, against these horrible people?

Well, you could post the question about safety before you fill out the form, for starters.

You could trust your instincts more - if questions on the form make you uneasy, then stop filling out the form and close the window.

To protect your Paypal account, you can get the Paypal security key from the security center in your account - it'll make your account bullet-proof even if a scammer gets your password because it generates a diifferent, second password every 30 seconds.

As for this cybershoppers, the industry is full of scammers and they run some nasty scams.  I don't know about this particular     company, but I notice that they deal with banks a lot, according to one poster that I read.  That's usually where the scam starts.

I also notice that you're not dealing with cybershoppers, you're dealing with some unnamed third party - that makes me uneasy.

I'd walk away from this, frankly.