How to Tell Legit Freebies from SPAM

Don't be taken in by Spam Mongers, Learn how to tell the difference!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Internet

1. Here are several pointers to help you decide what a legit freebie is and what is SPAM:
   
   1.. If the page is loaded with advertisements from google or any other advertiser, it could be an address harvesting site. (SPAM)
2. 2.. If you're signing up for a "Brand Name" product, look to see if the website address in your address bar includes the title name of that product. (They won't always as some of the larger companies use a distribution company for their samples).
3. 3.. If you come to a "freebie" page that requires you to answer yes or no to 5 or 10 "offers" before you can confirm your freebie, then it is more than Likely SPAM.
4. 4.. If you scroll down to the bottom of the Freebie page and it says the following (or something similar) :
   This promotion is conducted exclusively by (what ever site.com) and is subject to participation terms and conditions. Receipt of your item requires compliance with offer terms, including: age and residency requirements; registration with valid e-mail address, shipping address and contact phone number; completion of user survey and sponsor offers. Upon valid completion of all Program Requirements, we will ship your item to your provided shipping address. Unless otherwise indicated, participation eligibility is restricted to U.S. residents, 18 and over. Void where prohibited.
5. 5.. If you see the above message you can be sure it is BIG TIME SPAM from Multiple Avenues- you can be sure they will sell your info to anyone who'll pay for it.
6. 6.. If the "Freebie" site you are visiting hides its links with words, or Masks the freebie links with other sites, such as (tinyurl.com) than you can be assured that many of the links within that site are simply spam.
7. 7.. It is a Paid Advertisement and Not a True Freebie If the url address link for the freebie includes any of the following:
   1.. Websponsors
   2.. Reliaclick
   3.. Incentaclick
   4.. partners.yfdirect
   5.. lynxtrack
   6.. mycoolrewards
   Spam Example: http://lynxtrack/8484
8. 8.. Who is Running the site? If you look around the site and cannot locate any contact information or find any contact forms besides a free email address- be suspicious! Most companies WANT their customers to contact them for ordering or product questions. Real Businesses don't conduct their business using "free" email addresses from hotmail or yahoo.
9. 9.. Does the site look like a Fly By Night operation? All companies, even little ones, try to maintain a professional appearance online. If the site is thrown together with spelling mistakes, or advertisements on it for Competitor sites, then you can be sure you're headed for spam City.
10. 10.. Last but not least, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. If the freebies states, *Free $500 gift card to "Whatever Big Store", it's nothing but spam generating crap. Who is going to give you a $500 gift card for nothing?

Tips & Warnings

• 1.. Use a Free Email address such as gmail or yahoo so your email doesn't get cluttered. Occasionally you will need to verify a free item via email.
• 2.. Instead of giving out your home number, set up a free voice mail box online. When the companies call you they'll actually receive a machine. If they leave a message, you'll receive it via email. I recommend: K7 Voice Service
• 3.. If you have a small post office nearby, it is worth the $15 a year for a Post Office Box just for Freebies. The Smaller Post Offices don't charge Nearly as much as the larger PO's.
• 4 Although, at first it can be overwhelming deciphering Spam from the Good Stuff, you'll be getting great free items in the mail. Don't forget to sign your children up for free coloring books, stickers, etc. Kids love receiving items in the mail.