Is Filling Out Surveys for Money Online a Scam?
Do you want to fill out surveys online for money? Do you feel tempted to "click" on that email that promises you hundreds or thousands of dollars each and every week? Don't be so quick to jump in. There are literally thousands of "paid surveys" out there just waiting to waste your time--and maybe your money, too.
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Types
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There are three main types of paid surveys online: reward- and cash-paid survey sites, paid-to-try sites and sweepstakes survey sites.
What Do They Offer
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Reward- and cash-paid sites offer actual money per survey. Paid-to-try sites offer actual money also, but you will usually always be required to submit credit card information and pay shipping and handling or other charges to try new products (e.g., a 30-day trial of vitamins) before receiving any compensation. Sweepstakes sites offer entries into daily, weekly or monthly sweepstakes that offer cash, prizes or other promotional items.
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Finding a Legitimate Company
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Once you think you have found a legitimate company to take surveys for, do a background check online. Doing a search of the company name in your browser or search engine is the easiest way to find information. You can also check bestsurveyjobs.com (see Resources). Chances are you will find out they are not what they at first seemed. Not that there aren't reputable companies out there, but they are hard to find--and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
What to Expect
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For the time and effort needed to complete legitimate surveys, your reward will be minimal at best. You should not expect to earn a substantial living taking surveys online for money.
Bottom Line
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There are exceptions to everything, but the reality is that you will probably not get rich taking surveys online for money. The legitimate companies that do pay well are hard to find, and qualifying for surveys is next to impossible in most cases, as there are usually specific demographic requirements. In some cases you may be required to own or use a specific product.
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References
- Photo Credit Giorgio Montersino/flickr.com
