Free Money Scams
It is worth noting the categories of niche areas listed on these scam advisory and fraud prevention sites, if only to demonstrate the fact that finding legit ways to generate online income is risky business. PTC sites and faucets are no exception to free money scams.
It is highly recommended to research the reputation of dedicated sites and faucets before signing up to their earning platforms. These scam advisory sites make it their business to be on the watch for scams. They welcome reviews and updates provided by members of paid to click sites and faucets.
I believe that "Scam Risk" sums it up best in their slogan,
So, my advice to participants in paid to click is to use the resources available on the world wide web to conduct a thorough research of the reputation (legitimacy and credibility) of earning platforms before you join, and especially before you decide to invest money on the platform.
The surge of scam checkers testifies to the fact that 'scams' are rampant and 'the business of investigating scams' is a 'booming' online industry.
Use different resource streams to investigate the earning potential of PTC earning platforms.
For example, find YouTube commentators who review the pros and cons, test drive the benefits and features, and test drive the earning potential; rather than a commentator who reviews and praises the benefits and features. There are many sources readily available online to get feedback from participants who have already joined dedicated sites and faucets in PTC; such as, blogs, product review sites, forums, communities, agencies, and so forth.
Website Checkers for 'Free Money Scams' in PTC
Use scam advisory and fraud prevention sites and some of the following sources to investigate the earning potential and legitimacy (trustworthy authority and registered status) of earning platforms (sites and faucets in PTC), programs and software (as in digital products and services).
In using these secondary resources, you can learn a lot about how paid to click sites and faucets operate AND how they scam participants. Did you know about "click farms"?
Read about "click farms" in the article titled, "The Scam PTC: Duping Marketers and Job Seekers," in Click Cease, a blog website about "click fraud protection and detection."
The 'free money scams' perpetuate the ideas that paid to click sites and faucets offer 'easy money' and 'no investment.'
These scam sites offer high earnings for easy (effortless) work, promise a high return on investments (rented referrals, upgrades, revenue share), offer exceedingly high click value rather than fractions of a penny, and demand money (a software purchase, a reinvestment of earnings in the balance, a monetary deposit in the balance, a purchase for an upgrade) in order withdraw earnings.
Pop-up ads, bad spelling and grammar, poor quality of layout and design; these too are red flags that point to 'free money scam' sites.
So, how can participants in paid to click safeguard against scams, fraud, and hackers?
Use malware protection and keep your software up-to-date. Scan regularly and purge browser cookies regularly. Don't vicariously upload browser extension without thoroughly investigating the source.
Investigate and verify the authenticity of paid to click earning platforms (whois and registered domain status); research the registered company, reputation and credibility from scam advisory sites; and learn about public opinion (user experience of participants) from review sites, forums, communities.
Don't underestimate the value of using common sense and trusting your instincts to avoid scams.
"Don't invest money that you can't afford to lose," is a proverb that I practice and highly recommend in PTC.
Monitor User Experience in PTC
Legit sites and faucets have sincere and active admins that interact with members through the forum and contact information. The forum itself is a strong indicator of a healthy site when forum members interact with forum monitors and network among themselves. Regular updates about the status of the site or faucet, about delays, or changes to protocol; prompt payment; a variety of payment options; no upgrade or membership fee to withdraw funds; the option to use the balance to buy an upgrade or paid advertising - these are strong indicators of a healthy and legit site or faucet.
Elite sites and faucets welcome transparency.
Legit owners use posting proof of payment on the platform forum or on review sites (Trust Pilot) as a cash out protocol for the next withdrawal request to demonstrate the credibility of the site or faucet, to foster a rapport with members, and to contribute to their good or 'trustworthy' reputation as an elite site.
Elite paid to click earning platforms welcome transparency. There are no hidden fees, nor fake payments, nor unexpected suspensions, nor a lack of protocol outlined in the Terms of Use. Legit site and faucet owners investigate complaints and claims and strive to foster communication and trust.
Some elite sites even 'tip' (offer a nominal gratuity) to reward members for promptly posting proof of payment.
Incentive rewards in the earning platform is a strong indicator of elite sites and legit owners who understand the value of building a strong community of members to promote their business on the worldwide web.
The community of members in a dedicated site or faucet secures the viability, stability, success and growth of the earning platform.
This network of loyal members will bring in new signups to the platform. Their daily commitment to view 'paid ads' and perform tasks earns site and faucet owners passive income.
The daily operations outline above and the activity of owners, monitors and members are the 'common sense' indicators that point to 'scam' or 'no scam' in PTC.
Shortlist of PTC Tips to Safeguard against Scam and Fraud
<> Use the free membership to safeguard against financial loss. You must first build and maintain a network of active direct referrals before upgrading in order to see a return on your investment.
<> Use the minimum cash out threshold and withdraw regularly, or reinvest from balance to purchase paid advertising to promote for direct referrals.
<> Opt to transfer funds in the balance to buy advertising rather than deposit money out of pocket.
<> Monitor the forum for complaints that indicate scam or distress.
<> Investigate the legitimacy, trustworthy reputation and authority (registered domain status and WHOIS ).
<> Research the earning potential, benefits, features, and public opinion or user feedback.
<> Don't use profit calculators.
<> Do not invest in rented referrals.
<> Use free advertising and passive advertising to promote.
<> Establish a rapport and trust with site or faucet owners.
<> Be an active forum member.
<> Respect the protocols and read the fine print in the Terms of Use, Disclaimer Policy, and Privacy Policy.
<> Invest your time and energy to promote effectively, efficiently, and strategically.
<> Use common sense and trust your instincts.
<> Enjoy the work you do.