ISS is a platform that posts “secret shop” gigs for other companies that hire us to do them. It glitches just like every other app, but here’s what you really need to know: The companies post the gigs on this platform and are responsible for the assignment instructions, deadlines, and terms of payment (which are 30-60 day turnaround from your submission date) are the ones you need to be careful about. ISS doesn’t pay you, the posting companies do, so ISS can’t help us if we have a problem with the job poster. ISS can’t help us with the gig or the accountability of the company responsible for providing the gig. ISS states they work closely with the MSPA but does not “vet” the companies that post the gigs, nor do they check to be sure they’ve been cleared with the MSPA. There are companies that post gigs here that have been rejected by the MSPA that outright will not pay you, will plan assignments to use you to get info they need to get paid by their clients (and profit more by not paying you), or simply manufacture an excuse not pay you for your work even when you do everything perfectly according to the instructions. ISS will not help you if this happens, and all of the gig providers insist on an “arbitration clause” favoring themselves, so you’re out of luck there too. So, research on the company providing the gig BEFORE you give them your personal info, SSN and payment info, sign a contract, or agree to do any work. Make sure they’ve been vetted and admitted as a member of the MSPA. Check to see if there’s really a legitimate business license or incorporation, a working phone and email that contacts a real person/scheduler instead of a generic inbox or a “bot” (both of which are “red flags”). Check the public record and reviews written by other secret shoppers and clients that have hired the gig posters (and read the gig-poster response) for complaints, and to see how many times they’ve “rebranded” to hide bad acts by checking social media, scammer alert sites, and the Better Business bureau (including any former company brands). I got burned and later read some client reviews that stated they’d also been scammed by the same company, only to discover the company had “rebranded” in the meantime, so they couldn’t even sue…or worse, discovered that their SSN had been used to steal thier identity, which is a horrible experience that can ruin you for years. Once you’ve done that, start with 1 or 2 no-risk assignments to see how THEY perform, and if they pay what’s promised on time before proceeding further. You’ve got to watch your own back, because no one else will, especially in the “gig” world, because you sign away your rights and shoulder all the expenses, safety risks, and vehicle wear and tear in order to work.
I’m posting this so you can learn from my mistakes. I’m well educated with skills that fit this very well and own my own business. This is a business as well. I assumed the companies that posted here were legit based on the positive references. I did a couple of “no/low cost” gigs for a company that still posts here and it worked, so I accepted additional gigs that required more time and skill for the promise of higher fees that cost me over $200 in travel and expenses plus over 40 hours of my time visiting sites, interviewing, writing up 60 question reports, plus narratives… only to get scammed.
I could have made more than those jobs promised doing a handful of Instacart gigs and been paid in 48 hours.
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