Introduction
Online surveys are a favorite method of making extra money, but not all survey websites are genuine. Scam sites trick users into providing personal details or wasting time on surveys that never pay out. It is crucial to understand how to recognize fake survey sites to save your time and privacy.
In this guide, we will explain the signs of fake survey websites and how to identify legitimate ones.
- Why Do Spurious Survey Sites Exist
Spurious survey sites are meant to harvest users’ information, gather revenue through advertisements, or scam individuals into paying them fees. Some sites offer high returns but never remit money to users, and others sell users’ information to third parties.
Spammers exploit individuals seeking easy cash. By presenting spurious survey platforms, they lure users with lies and then exploit their information.
- Common Indications of Bogus Online Survey Sites
Identifying bogus survey sites is crucial to prevent wasting time or divulging confidential information. Below are the most prevalent warning signs.
a. Requesting Payment to Join
Legitimate survey sites are free to join. If a site requests a membership fee or charges you before participating in surveys, it is a scam.
b. Offering Unrealistic Income
Most authentic survey websites compensate little sums per survey, typically between a dollar and five dollars. Phony sites can promise that you earn hundreds of dollars in a day, which is imaginary.
c. Asking for Personal Details
An authentic survey website might request fundamental information such as age, sex, and location. Phony sites, however, typically request confidential information such as:
Social Security number
Credit card information
Bank account details
Do not provide these pieces of information to any survey website.
d. No Clear Payment Information
Legitimate survey sites clearly indicate how users will be paid. If a site does not detail payment methods or has an unclear payment system, it may be a scam.
e. No Contact Information or Customer Support
A reliable site should have an email address, phone number, or live chat support. If there is no means of contacting customer service, the site is likely not legitimate.
f. Unprofessional Website Design and Spelling Errors
Scam sites usually have poor website design, non-functional links, or repeated spelling errors. Genuine survey websites spend money on professional websites to establish credibility among users.
- How to Ensure a Survey Site is Genuine
Before registering with an online survey site, take the following steps to check if it is genuine.
a. Search Online Reviews
Check reviews on reputable websites such as:
Trustpilot
Reddit
Online forums
If numerous users complain about payments or scams, steer clear of the site.
b. Examine the Website’s Age and Domain
You can utilize websites such as WHOIS Lookup to see when a website was established. Scam websites tend to pop up and vanish quickly, so a new registration site can be suspicious.
c. Find a Privacy Policy
Genuine websites have a privacy statement disclosing how they will use your information. If there is no such statement on the site, the site could be unsafe.
d. Test with a Low Payout
If you’re skeptical about a survey website, attempt to earn and withdraw a low dollar amount before putting in too much effort. If the site does not pay, it is probably a scam.
e. Research the Company Behind the Website
Verify if the site is linked to a reputable market research firm. If no details of the company are available, the site is likely not to be reliable.
- List of Known Fake Survey Sites
There are some sites that have been reported as scams by several users. Below are some examples of survey sites that have been reported as fake:
Surveys2Cash
BigSpot
SurveyVoices
Click4Surveys
Always conduct your own research before joining any survey site.
- How to Guard Your Self Against Scam Survey Sites
To protect yourself from being cheated, be careful and observe the following tips:
Never pay for joining a survey site – Genuine sites do not ask for fees.
Create a separate email for survey accounts – This shields your personal email against spam.
Do not provide sensitive personal data – No survey site needs bank or credit card information.
Create secure passwords – Have different survey accounts with separate passwords.
Report scams – When you encounter an imitation survey site, report the site to online forums or consumer protection agencies.
- Better Alternatives for Earning Money Online
There are alternative, better options if you are keen on making more money online:
Freelancing – Provide writing, graphic designing, or data entry services.
Affiliate marketing – Market goods and earn commission.
Selling goods online – Create an online business or sell handmade products.
Remote employment – Get hired by businesses that employ remote workers.
These options tend to pay more and more regularly than survey websites.
Conclusion
Deceptive online survey websites are widespread, but by knowing what to look for, you can steer clear of scams and discover real opportunities. Always vet a survey website before joining, and never give out personal or financial data to untested sites.