Legitimate Survey Sites vs. Scams: A Practical Guide
Learn how to identify trustworthy survey platforms and avoid common scams that steal personal information.
# Legitimate Survey Sites vs. Scams: A Practical Guide
Many survey sites aren't legit and never pay out, even though dozens of market research companies recruit members to fill out online surveys for cash and rewards. Here's how to spot the difference and protect yourself.
How Legitimate Survey Sites Work
Online surveys are used by market researchers to gauge public opinion on specific products or topics. Brands commission market research companies to deliver these surveys, and you can register with these sites, take the surveys and get paid for your time.
Legitimate survey organizations like Pew Research will never ask for money or try to sell you something, and will never ask for your social security number or bank account information.
Red Flags: How to Spot Scam Surveys
Unrealistic Rewards
If a survey offers you a $100 gift card or a 90% discount for answering three quick questions, it's probably a scam. Marketing companies typically pay people anywhere from $50 to $300 for in-person product focus groups that last a couple of hours or more, while even legitimate online surveys typically pay less than $10 an hour.
Requests for Sensitive Information
Legitimate online surveys will never ask you for sensitive information like usernames, social security numbers, credit card details, and passwords. You should not be asked to provide your Social Security number unless you've earned at least $600.
Poor Grammar and Fake Branding
A survey solicitation containing bad grammar, misspellings or odd word choices is a red flag, as communications from legitimate companies doing market research are carefully edited. Watch for typos, bad grammar and incorrect company logos, as scammers can easily copy a brand's name, but awkward wording and poor grammar are typically a giveaway that the message is a scam.
Unsolicited Invitations
Be cautious of unsolicited survey invitations via email or pop-up ads. Legitimate survey opportunities usually come through reputable survey platforms or are opt-in based on your profile information, while unsolicited invitations may lead to fraudulent surveys or attempts to gather your personal information.