I just started a new job and on my first project my boss asked me to do some market research on the competition. He asked me to call a few of their branches posing as a college student conducting research for a school project. I'm not really comfortable misleading people but the few times I tried the honest approach they wouldn't talk to me.
--- Should I just do as I'm told or say something? This is not top secret data I'm collecting. I just want to get some idea of pricing, customers and strategic direction of the business.
--- Should I talk to my boss’ boss and tell him that I'm concerned about the ethics of mis-representing myself on the calls?