There are lots of websites that really pay for opinions through paid surveys. Nevertheless, caution is necessary in view of the fact that fake sites pretending to be genuine paid survey opportunities exist. In the following guide, we will show you some important ways to avoid scam surveys and recognize true survey sites.
Characteristics of a Paid Scam Survey
Being able to identify these clear indicators makes it easy to avoid such fraudulent activities. Here, we highlight five obvious warning signs that often accompany scammers who offer paid survey jobs.
Promising Rewards That Seem Too Good To Be True
In case when you get an email or SMS containing information about a free iPad or a nice sum of money for answering the questionnaire, your alarms should be raised. Obviously, this is a reward to be skeptical of because it sounds too good to be true.
If you’ve ever participated in those paid surveys the sites provide, you’ll surely understand that the highest amount of remuneration for a relatively short survey you can expect is £3, maybe £5, at most.
So, stop kidding yourself. How is it even possible that a commercial business will give its tech products away for free or shell out such huge cash rewards for only one customer’s comment?
Being overshadowed by big brand names
Many fraudsters behind paid survey scams will use fake brand names to create awareness among those vulnerable individuals who don’t discern them.
In the recent past, there have been paid survey online scams swindling from Costco, Walmart, and CVS with their names just being few of them. The scammers take advantage of this by using the brand names which are actually very easy to recognize by many people because they know that their products and services have gained the attention of many people hence the opinions being shared.
For example, a popular scam that went viral during this period concerned consumers who had to share their views on Covid-19 vaccinations. This is probably because what we have experienced is more personal, and a lot of people have strong opinions about this issue.
If all of a sudden, an international brand supposedly sends you a survey about some phishing activity, then that’s something you need to be careful about.
Dubious URLs
By hovering, look at the net address that is located in the hyperlink before you click on any link, mainly when you have some possible doubts about being a fraud victim. When the link looks suspicious from the unfamiliar and incredulous URL, a scammer is at the center of it. When somebody sends you a survey generally, also check who is behind an address. A suspected spam email address could be very different from the name of the business.
Minimalistic Website Structure
The presence of a single-page website that is devoid of links and contains no details about the owning company is the main thing that can be a tip-off that indicates the survey is a paid one. Legit-paid survey websites feature an ‘About Us’ section with thorough demographic information concerning the company together with the contact details.
Soliciting Financial Details
It is a very common fraud that as soon as one finishes participating in the survey which won them the prize they are now prompted to create their banking details to cover the shipping fee. A lot of times, the charges will be generated for items and services clients could get for instance did not request. Be vigilant for fine print at the end of surveys, inquiring about your interest in a free trial of a service. This tactic is commonly employed by scammers, and hefty charges can be expected once the trial period concludes. If you’ve already shared your financial details for shipping or a free trial, it’s advisable to contact your bank promptly to cancel any unauthorized future.
The Ultimate Defense Against Paid Survey Scams
If a paid survey opportunity lacks any of the aforementioned warning signs, there’s a high probability that it is a genuine survey opportunity, typically managed by reputable market research companies. However, for an added layer of assurance regarding the legitimacy of a paid survey website, it is wise to seek reliable and independent reviews on the internet.
Enter SurveyCentral, your go-to source for over 23,000 user reviews covering major paid survey websites globally. These firsthand accounts will inform you about a survey site’s legitimacy and whether it’s worth your time. All reviews are contributed by individuals who have been or are currently members of the respective sites.
Here are two effective ways to utilize SurveyCentral
- Explore Top-Rated Sites for Your Country: These rankings, organized by user reviews, swiftly highlight the rewards offered by each site.
- Utilize the Search Tool: If you have a specific survey site in mind, a simple search will reveal relevant information. The lack of a review by SurveyCentral may raise suspicions about a survey website.
Conclusion
While paid survey websites offer a great opportunity for earning a supplemental income, caution is paramount to avoid scams. SurveyCentral is a survey website that is very reliable and is there to help guide you toward the best available paid survey websites. With more than 15 years of experience in supporting survey takers, we’re highly committed to your success!