Beware Survey Scams
We’ve all seen them: pop-ups promising easy cash just for taking a few minutes to answer some questions. Or, it may be emails claiming you’ve been selected to take part in an exclusive survey — complete it and you’ll earn $100, a gift card or even a new iPhone! Sounds like a great deal, right?
Well … not so fast.
While legitimate paid survey opportunities do exist, survey scams are a common and deceptive trap used by cybercriminals to steal your personal information, install malware or trick you into giving up your hard-earned money. And with more people looking for flexible, online ways to earn extra cash, scammers are capitalizing on that demand more than ever.
Let’s take a look at survey scams and how to protect yourself from falling victim.
How survey scams work
All survey scams follow the same script:
The bait. You’ll receive an unsolicited message — via email, social media or text message — offering money, gift cards or free products in exchange for taking a “quick survey.” It may even appear to come from a well-known brand like Amazon, Target or Apple.
The hook. Once you click, you’re taken to a website that looks professional, with realistic-looking logos and fake reviews. The survey itself might only have a few questions.
The sting. At some point in the survey, you’re asked to “verify” your identity by entering personal info like your name, address, date of birth, phone number and even credit card number “to cover shipping costs” for your reward. Sometimes, you’re asked to download a file or sign up for multiple paid offers to “qualify.”
The problem? There’s no reward. The scammer now has your personal data, financial information or access to your device.
Common variations of survey scams
There are several ways survey scams play out. Here are the most common forms:
Fake brand surveys. Scammers claim to represent companies like Walmart, Best Buy or Starbucks, and offer gift cards in exchange for feedback — but it’s all fake.
Survey-for-payment scams. Sites promise up to $500 for a survey, but really just harvest your info or get you to install malware.
Survey redirect loops. Here, you click on a survey, answer some questions and then get redirected endlessly to other sites, with each one asking for more info or prompting a download.
Job offer scams disguised as surveys. In this version, scammers pose as recruiters looking for market research participants, but they only want to phish for personal or banking details.
Red flags to watch for
If you see any of the following signs, hit the brakes on that survey!
It sounds too good to be true. No one is paying $100 for a very short survey.
You’re asked for sensitive info. A legitimate survey won’t need your Social Security number, checking account info, birth date or credit card number.
You’re pressured to act fast. Scammers use urgency to stop you from thinking critically.
The site has typos or weird URLs. Look for poor grammar, misspellings or web addresses that seem off (like “amaz0n-surveys.co”).
You’re asked to pay to claim your reward. Paying for a “free” prize is a classic scam tactic.
You’re asked to download something. Legitimate surveys don’t require you to install files or apps.
How to protect yourself
Don’t fall for the bait of a survey scam! Here’s how to stay safe:
Use reputable survey sites. If you’d like to take surveys for money, stick to established platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Pinecone Research or Survey Junkie. Do your research before signing up.
Never share sensitive info. Don’t enter your full address, bank info or credit card details unless you know the site is secure and legitimate.
Check the URL. Hover over links to preview them and ensure they go where they claim. Look for HTTPS in the web address.
Don’t click suspicious links. Avoid survey invitations sent via unsolicited emails, especially those that land in your spam folder.
Install security software. A good antivirus can catch malicious downloads and phishing attempts.
Read the fine print. Some sites hide sketchy terms or subscription traps in their small print.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you think you’ve fallen for a survey scam, take action quickly. First, stop engaging by exiting the site and deleting the email or message. Next, run a security scan to check for malware or spyware on your device. If you entered login info or reused a password elsewhere, be sure to change it immediately—especially for your email and checking accounts. For the next while, monitor all financial accounts for unauthorized charges. If you’ve shared payment information with the scammers, notify your credit union or credit card company immediately. Finally, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and to IC3.gov, the FBI’s internet crime division.
Stay smart, stay skeptical and don’t let a fake survey make a real mess.