Spot Fake Survey Scams: A Safety Guide
Learn how to recognize fake survey websites and protect your personal information from scammers.
# Spot Fake Survey Scams: A Safety Guide
Phony surveys have become a very common way for scammers to phish for personal information. Here's how to stay safe.
What Are Survey Scams?
A fake survey scam is a type of fraud where criminals pretend to be real companies conducting market research. These fake surveys aim to collect sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information.
Red Flag #1: Too-Good-to-Be-True Rewards
If a survey offers you a $100 gift card or a 90% discount for answering three quick questions, it's probably a scam. Scam sites frequently advertise earning potential of $50-100 per hour or claim that participants can earn hundreds of dollars per day completing surveys.
Real surveys pay modest amounts—maybe a few dollars or points toward small rewards.
Red Flag #2: Asking for Sensitive Info
If a survey company asks for anything more than basic information from you, like your Social Security number, date of birth and maybe even your checking account number, sign out as quickly as you can.
An honest survey will never ask you to share an account password, your bank account information, or your Social Security number (SSN).
Red Flag #3: Typos and Bad Grammar
Watch for typos, bad grammar and incorrect company logos. Scammers can easily copy a brand's name, but awkward wording and poor grammar are typically a giveaway that the message is a scam.
Red Flag #4: Asking You to Pay
There's absolutely no reason to pay to take a survey of any kind. If you're targeted by an ad asking you to take a survey and to pay for the privilege of doing so, don't respond.