Despite the hoopla, incentivized surveys are not new and have been around for a long time. Traditionally, Market Research Companies obtained consumers' opinions through postal surveys, over the telephone or face-to-face interaction with shoppers at the malls. With the advent of computers and the growth of the internet, surveys have gone online and are fast gaining popularity among web surfers. As with anything else that's good, ill-intentioned people are quick to take advantage of the opportunity and prey on unsuspecting surfers with sites that promise them quick riches.
Scam is a pretty strong word to use. Some sites are not scams but more of a 'waste-your-time' type of site. They don't scam you out of your bank account or anything like that but they do spam you and flood your inbox with free offers and other business opportunities that don't live up to the hype they tell you about.
Don't be afraid to venture into the world of Paid Surveys as they can prove to be a rewarding experience. However, do keep the following tips in mind to dodge scammers.
Tip 1
Do not pay for membership. If a survey site is legitimate, you will never be asked to pay or purchase anything. However, there is a difference between Market Research Companies and 'pay-to-join' companies. Market Research Companies are the ones who conduct the surveys while 'pay-to-join' companies are agents who scout for legitimate survey sites for you. They charge you a one-time fee for their service.
Tip 2
Do not give your credit information. This should immediately raise a red flag!
Don't be afraid to venture into the world of Paid Surveys as they can prove to be a rewarding experience. However, do keep the following tips in mind to dodge scammers.
Tip 1
Do not pay for membership. If a survey site is legitimate, you will never be asked to pay or purchase anything. However, there is a difference between Market Research Companies and 'pay-to-join' companies. Market Research Companies are the ones who conduct the surveys while 'pay-to-join' companies are agents who scout for legitimate survey sites for you. They charge you a one-time fee for their service.
Tip 2
Do not give your credit information. This should immediately raise a red flag!
