Taking online surveys is a great way to add a little extra spending cash to your wallet. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to find a good one. While there are plenty of legitimate sites out there that will offer you money for taking surveys, there are also several with dishonest practices. Stealing identities, selling personal data, excessive spam, or unpaid work are all risks you can take by working with one of these illegitimate websites. So, how can you spot the differences between a legitimate survey site and a scam?

1. How Well-Known is the Site?

If you’ve only heard about the site through an ad or a single review, there’s a good chance that it’s not legitimate. Usually, if you have never heard of it, and those around you haven’t either, it’s a good idea to be cautious. Of course, there are plenty of survey sites that are new or very small that still offer legitimate surveys that you may not have heard of before. Nevertheless, be sure to approach these sites with caution, or look up reviews, mentions, or complaints about the site.

2. Has the Site Been Reviewed?

There are many survey review sites out there that will not only list survey sites that are legitimate, but may even offer their suggestions for the best survey sites for you. Websites like SurveyPolice.com compile annual lists of the best survey sites on the internet based on rewards, time spent, and ease of completing surveys. Additionally, groups like Insights Association and the BBB are market entities that ensure various companies are legitimate, legal, and fair. If you can’t find your survey website on any of these sites, stay away.

3. What Are You Being Promised?

Is the site offering hundreds of dollars for the completion of a simple survey? Are they promising business trips or expensive gifts? Does it all sound too good to be true? If it does, it probably is. While it is certainly possible to earn a lot of money from taking surveys, it’s very rare, and not from quick 15-minute-or-less surveys. Similarly, while you could qualify for a focus group or product testing, it’s unlikely that you’ll be testing sports cars or doing the focus group in Tahiti. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always a good idea to check on the survey website for any stipulations, terms, or conditions, or if these offers are even true before you complete any surveys.

4. What Does the Site Ask For?

There are many typical things a survey website will ask you for: your name, address, age, and contact information, to name a few. You will also likely be asked for more personal information for certain surveys, such as your annual income, living situation, or occupation. However, if you are asked specific personal information, such as bank account information, passwords, or even your social security number, odds are the site is not legitimate. A good survey site prides itself on anonymity of its members, and so companies that ask for very identifying information likely do not have your best interest in mind. It is also likely that a legitimate survey site will ask you to create an account of their website to email you survey opportunities. However, if the creation of the membership costs you money, personal information, or anything more than a simple screener survey, be wary.

5. Does the Site Have A Privacy Policy?

A good survey site will have a privacy policy, consumer rights notice, and terms and conditions listed publicly on their website. These all ensure that the members taking these surveys understand what they are agreeing to, and what the survey company will do to ensure their members’ privacy and safety. If you cannot find this information on a website, it’s a sign that they are not practicing legitimately. This is the most important thing to look out for when signing up with a survey site, as some legitimate sites that meet all the other requirements may have an incomplete, nonexistent, or unfair privacy policy. It is in these terms and conditions that you can find out what your data is being used for, how secure your private information is, and more. Always be sure to read these thoroughly before signing up with a website.

Luckily, it’s not too difficult to separate the fake from the real. Most of the survey sites you would have heard of, such as Swagbucks, SurveyJunkie, and ACOP, are real and not just out to steal your personal information. It’s only when you travel off the beaten path of the internet that you might find less-than-trustworthy sites. If you’re ever uncertain, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be sure not to fall for any scam.