Paid survey scams: how to prevent them

Paid survey scams are typical because of the online nature of paid surveys online, and the online nature itself. When online, it’s easier to become anonymous or use a false identity and company, and thus harder to trace the culprits. Paid survey scams take advantage of this kind of nature of the internet to fool people. Fortunately, it’s mostly simple to spot scams if you’re careful enough.

Paid Survey

Understanding what and what not to pay for online surveys is one way to teach yourself and avoid scams. It may also help if you have experienced people or websites you trust lead you to genuine paid surveys. Apart from these, you also have to remember the following:



 An offer that seems too good to be real? It probably is. Promises individuals making a thousand dollars each day? A hundred thousand dollars annually? The “paid survey” company probably wants something from you. Never pay anything to that company and stay away from their site.

 If a paid survey company asks for personal information that isn’t standard, it might likely be identity theft. Telling the company the number of your kids are is okay, but other details for example bank account numbers or charge card numbers could be cause for identity theft.

 Stay away from companies with no Privacy Policy. If you can’t find the Privacy Policy on the website, then your company most likely doesn’t have one. Guarantee the company does not share your personal info with anyone.

 Beware of required program downloads for paid surveys online. You shouldn’t install anything a paid survey site insists upon download, because it may be for the survey company to find your every move on the internet. Sometimes, they would ask for you to install a toolbar and pay out for each search you complete; be sure you check what other people have to say about the toolbar before selecting to install it. Obviously, installing it is also your decision.

 A one page registration is really a warning sign. Legitimate paid survey companies need a lot of information from you so that they can send you the correct surveys. If it’s merely a one-page registration, the company probably just wants your current email address that they can forward to companies that spam your email.

 If there’s no contact information about their company offered, it’s most likely because they don’t want you to find them. Legitimate paid survey companies share their contact details for any questions or inquiries. If they’re a scam, they don’t want to be traced by the people who have complaints or who wish to go after them.



Remember that it’s much easier to fool people on the internet, so keep in mind these guidelines to spotting paid survey scams.

Paid Survey

Published July 22nd, 2011

Tags: Paid, SurveyPaid, Surveys