CLEVELAND -- How would you like to earn a little extra money every week and maybe get a free pair of blue jeans, and a free dinner and a movie tossed in as well? You can if you become a Mystery Shopper, or Secret Shopper.

The hardest part is avoiding the scams and finding the real shopping jobs.

Want To Be Mystery Shopper?

Most of us would never notice Lynn Ratliff walking into the mall and strolling into a clothing shop. She looks like everyone else. But that's the idea, because Ratliff is a professional Mystery Shopper and gets paid to write down what she observes in stores. She said "You're not going to be able to make a full-time career out of it, I don't think. But you could definitely make some extra money doing it."

She said the best part are the freebies like a $300 pair of Sara Palin eyeglasses she was reimbursed for, or free dinners at upscale chain restaurants.

Jim is also a mystery shopper but he takes his job so seriously, he didn't want to reveal his last name. Jim said he earned more than a thousand dollars last year inspecting stores, restaurants, car dealers and even model homes.

"Some of the assignments are $10, $12 dollars, some are $30," he said. "I recently did a 'shop' of new model homes and it was $30 a visit."

In order to avoid the scams, don't fall for ads that charge you or send you a check ahead of time. Ratliff said, "I shouldn't have to pay to become a mystery shopper. I am offering a service to them, and I am employed by their company. There should be no reason I have to pay for them to hire me."

Instead, Ratliff and Jim suggest starting with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association, which is the top trade group. It offers advice and helpful links.

Two other legitimate Websites are Volition.com or Intelli-shop.com, which list companies hiring. You'll need to have Internet access, an e-mail and Paypal account.

You won't get rich, but Ratliff and Jim say it's worth the time.