When it comes to any online activity, there is sure to be those who try to figure out a way to use that activity to scam unsuspecting Internet users, and the world of paid surveys in no different. As with every activity there are steps and precautions that can be taken in order to avoid pitfalls. Here, you will find a list of things to look out for when taking the first step towards becoming a survey junkie!
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Do NOT pay a fee to sign up for a survey site
No legitimate survey site will require any kind of payment in order to gain access to their surveys. There are certain websites which sell a list of the best survey companies, or have a membership to gain access to their vetted list of companies; however, this is just another form of the scam where the most unscrupulous companies are listed, and these intermediary sites operate as affiliates.
Avoid Paid Offer Sites
Take note that ‘paid survey’ sites are different than ‘paid offers’. Paid offer sites generally make their money by getting people to sign up for offers in exchange for some personal and non-personal information, which are then sold to third-party marketers. Though not necessarily scams, if you happen to read the privacy policy and agree to it, but they are certainly not the same as paid survey sites.
Lack of Privacy Policy
Any legitimate survey site, or any site for that matter, will have a privacy policy page, detailing how they collect and use information about their users. So look for a privacy policy page (a link to the page can usually be found in the footer of a website), and read their policy thoroughly, and make sure that you are comfortable with how they conduct business.
Too Good to be True
You have heard it before, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And it is no different when it comes to surveys for money. If a survey company promises or suggests in some way that you can make a lot of money by taking surveys, then just move along to the next survey site. Surveys are never going to make you rich, or even help you pay a lot of bills–they can help you make some pocket-money, but that is about it.
Promises of Guaranteed Income
Even though it is likely that most members will be matched up with some surveys, there is no way a survey company can guarantee income, especially a specific amount, no matter how small. If you come across survey sites which guarantee an income from survey taking, then the legitimacy of the company has to come into question.