One of the ways to earn money online is through paid online surveys, but a non-profit organization that advocates for ethical business behavior warns users that some of these surveys can be linked to identity theft.
Internet scam artists use paid online surveys for identity theft, stealing personal and financial information from Internet users. Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-profit organization that aims to protect consumer interest and set ethical standards for businesses, warns consumers about sites that promise huge amounts of money in exchange for answering surveys.
“Paid online surveys are frequently not what they seem,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and Chief Executive Officer of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “By abusing the brand names and logos of well-known companies and products to make them look trustworthy, scam artists are able to obtain personal and financial information from participants.”
According to BBB, one of the signs that a paid online survey is a scam is an unsolicited text of email. Scammers would send bulk emails to text messages containing requests for personal consumer information. This practice is known as phishing. Consumers are advised to not reply to them or click on links in the emails.
BBB emphasizes that some scammers steal the branding of an established organization, such as the colors, logos, and header to create a legitimate-looking website. They encourage consumers to be mindful and not believe everything they see.
Offering a huge amount of money with little effort is one of the major indicators that a paid online survey is a scam. Scammers also use high pressure tactics. They make people take action before they have had time to think.
Victims of fake surveys are often asked about their account information. BBB stresses that legitimate businesses do not ask for credit card numbers or banking information on customer surveys.
Even poor grammar can be a sign of a fraudulent online survey. Internet users are advised to watch for typos and odd phrasing. If a survey is legitimate, the email addresses and phone numbers should reflect or match the company brand name.
Lastly, BBB encourages Internet users to do a quick web search and see if the survey has gotten complaints from other consumers or respondents.
