How to Recognize Online Gift Scams

The scam starts with an email offering: a free gift of a laptop computer, a hot-selling toy for your child or a 50-dollar gift certificate if you complete an online survey. Usually, you never receive the gift, but you may get unexpected charges on your credit card that will cost more than the value of the item.

Instructions

1. Be suspicious if you receive an email that offers a fairly expensive free gift, such as a laptop, computer game or generous gift certificate for going to a website and filling out a survey.

2. Look for the offers that follow the survey. The rules will say you must sign up for three or more offers or subscriptions.

3. Beware giving your credit card information to purchase items that qualify you for the gift. The prices of the items you need to purchase seem small, but look out for the tiny print on the offer. Copy and paste the tiny print into a word processing program and enlarge it so you can read it.

4. Watch out for fraud on a free gift site when, just as you confirm your address to receive your gift, the site demands a password you don't have, or simply locks you out of the system. The company will then refuse to answer emails or phone calls.

5. Comb your credit card statement for unexpected charges if you signed up for offers on a free gift website. Call your bank immediately to report and reverse a fraudulent charge. When you find out the actual price of some offers, it will take a great deal of effort to unsubscribe.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't see a fraudulent charge on your card until more than 60 days after you gave the site your information, your bank might balk. In this case, tell them you wish to file a dispute and demand they follow Federal Regulation E and assist you.

• If you've been scammed, you may want to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. Call [phone] for more information.

• Few, if any, have ever received a free gift from these sites. It may be impossible to get a refund for the offers you purchased.

• Your computer can be infected by viruses from a free gift site even if you have good virus protection software.

Resources

• Internet fraud information