Scam #1: Making Money With Paid Surveys

As usual, the first (always FIRST) rule of thumb:
If it is too good to be true, it probably is!

Have you surfed the 'net to find web sites that offer huge profits completing surveys online? You have read headlines like "Survey Companies Paying $25-$100/hr". Even at the lower end, $25 an hour would be nice, right? However, more likely than not, it is not legit. I love the disclaimer I found on one site:

"The figures on this and the following site are for illustration purposes only and my results are in no way shape or form, a reflection of what you may or may not earn. As with any business, you can make more, less or nothing. There are no guarantees that you will make the same amount of money as myself or other independent reps, or any money at all."

This guy pretty much covers all his bases, doesn't he? What he is saying is that you will make all or nothing (maybe somewhere in the middle). I am not sure I like those odds! It is always good

to look for and find the fine print AND read the fine print! Buyer beware - better to know now what you could have lost later on. Of course there are many legitimate survey sites out there. While making $25 or $100 an hour is VERY appealing, with the legit sites you will make money, just not that much that fast. Here are a few guidelines to follow for getting involved (or avoiding) online survey sites:

Most legit sites DO NOT charge a membership fee to register. Usually you are paying a "membership" to have access to a list of other survey sites. You should not have to PAY money to MAKE money. The best and most legit survey sites on the web are all absolutely free to join.
Most scams will claim to earn outrageous income amounts for taking surveys. Like above, if they are stating you will earn $150/hour or $250 per survey, they are likely scams. Most legit survey sites will offer larger survey payouts, usually only a few times a year, and usually for a lot less - more in the $20-$50 range.
Legit survey sites will ask for basic information. If they are asking for credit card information, or even your social security number, they are likely shady.
Survey sites of value usually have good customer service contact. Look for contact information, an email address for customer service. Most fly by night scam survey sites do not have a link to an contact email, and usually have no information about their address and location. I am sure that they have your email address though - to sell to others and flood your inbox with tons of junk mail.
Read the FINE PRINT! Check the survey site privacy policy (if they have one, and they better), or their terms and conditions (again, they better have this). If you are not satisfied with what you read, then back away from the keyboard and regroup.

Wow! Makes you wonder if you should even look into online surveys as a means to an end. There are good sites online that are legit and worthwhile. Do not believe that you will make TONS of cash with online surveys, it is a slow stream of income, and is based on just how much time you want to spend. As example, I signed up for SendEarnings. So far have made somewhere near $30. So I am not planning on getting rich from them! The more time and effort you put into survey sites, the more you will make. Stick with the big names: Greenfield, Panda Research, Cash Crate, Treasure Trooper, and Global Test Market to name a few.

Keep informed and avoid anything that is beyond belief - knowledge is power and with time to spare, you can make a few bucks on the legitimate survey sites.

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