DON’T FALL FOR FREE LAPTOP OFFER
DON’T FALL FOR FREE LAPTOP OFFER
UPDATE!!!
THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED THAT IT IS A SCAM AND PEOPLE ARE OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL INFO THEY SENT!!
BE SURE TO READ THE 2 UPDATES AT END OF THIS BLOG
There are so many legit earning sites on the web but for everyone legit one, there are probably double that in scams. The latest offer I have seen is where you take part in a case study and you get a free laptop. My suggestion is DON’T FALL FOR FREE LAPTOP OFFER that is going around on Facebook until you study the requirements and know what is required of you.
This is what some people on Facebook have posted on their walls:
“What if I told you that you could be part of a case study that would give you a FREE LAPTOP when it’s finished? Do you have a Gmail that’s over 2 years old and unlimited, stable WIFI? I can refer you!”
Sure it sounds like a great way to get a free laptop but you have to look deeper, WAY DEEPER into it because there are certain requirements for the program. This is a run down of the qualifications of this case study.
The purpose of our studies is to test public interest in different styles of ad concepts. We do this by utilizing Google Ads, and tracking the responses of what draws the public’s attention to click on an ad.
The qualifications are listed below to be able to participate …
If you qualify and complete the study till the end, the laptop we send is yours to keep!
This study runs 4 – 6 months. (sometimes less)
Must be 18+
Must live in the USA
Must have reliable, stable unlimited internet connection
Must have stable living conditions (not moving in the next 6 months)
Must have active Gmail account for over 2 years
Must provide valid phone number & address (these will be verified)
Do you meet these qualifications?
Now here is the rest of this fabulous case study:
Here’s how it works.. We will run an ad through your google ads section. We do this by sending you out a laptop that will need plugged up An turned on for the entire study! We would ask for your gmail log in info so we can access this section. We do not access anything else but the ad section on your google account. Once again. The laptop that we send must be plugged up and left on the entire time we do the case study. Once you receive the laptop we will go over how to do everything. Once the study is completed…YOU KEEP THE LAP TOP, OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU! The following is a must.. Must provide Gmail login information (gmail address & password) Must provide copy of State Issued ID or Driver License with your current mailing address. (If address does not match must provide copy of current internet bill with address clearly shown where service is) If internet is not in your name we will need the contact information (name & phone number) for the person whose name the service is in. We are sending expensive equipment, this is to verify your address. Must be available or have someone available to check the laptop during the day should we lose connection. Note, you may not use the laptop for personal use until the case study is completed! Do you agree to these terms?
If you were to accept the terms, they will have not only have your address, phone number and DRIVER’S LICENSE but also PASSWORD to your email!
I’m not saying they will, but by giving anyone personal information they can reach every device connected to your home internet and everything that you do on it including, but not limited to, all of your passwords, bank account, and credit card info. And by agreeing to let them in you are letting them legally gain this access. Through it your computer can also be used as an access point for illegal activity (hence the 24/7 access requirement)
So a free product sounds super great but it’s definitely not worth the possibility of losing your identity and your life savings. You have to make sure you read any fine print and ask questions on every internet earning offer. Everyone can make their own decisions when offers such as this get spread over the internet, but you can’t jump into things without looking at the whole picture. My suggestion to everyone is to be very careful when checking out sites, not just this one, that sound too good to be true. You need to do your homework, just think what someone could do if they have your driver’s license, social security number, credit card numbers, address and bank account info.
These are my own opinions and in no way am I saying not to accept an offer like this or any others, I am only letting readers know to be very careful before signing up to any offer they may see on the internet. As an FB friend just mentioned, when someone has your email and password, they can change your password on any site, bank, etc. BE CAREFUL!!
Good advice. I’ll be sharing this post. It’s sad to see how many people fall for these scams. If it’s too good to be true, it probably ain’t true!
Thanks for sharing this Aprille. I hope it will help even a handful realize scams can wipe our savings, get your credit card info plus have access to everything in your home through the webcam on the “free laptop”. So scary! Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the information. Shared it everywhere.
Thanks Brenda!
Great advise!!!! I saw that, and when they sent me the requirements, I knew better!!! I am going to share, as everyone needs to see this!!! Thanks for the great info!!!!
Thanks Jennifer, I’ve actually had a few tell me otherwise. They only need the password to follow the ads and don’t care about any other info. I just wanted to give my opinion, it I find I’m incorrect, I will write a rebuttal. Thanks for visiting and sharing.
You are correct anyone asking for personal passwords and log in information is scammers and frauds. I learned this today too. I knew it was too good to be true when they had to do everything through the message. Like a secret. Then they asked fro Google info. I declined and reported the account for spam. Thank you for writing this. I am sharing via all my social media to help spread the word.
I don’t know why so much personal information is needed Sandy, I can purchase a vehicle with less info. I wanted to get the word of for people to make sure they check out everything on every offer they are looking in to. We all work hard for our money and hate to see anyone scammed. Thanks for your input Sandy!
While this can be a threat. The laptops have shipped to those in this study (with tracking). Maybe they are legit, maybe not. I’m undecided. I never knew hooking one device to wifi ,allows you to see the activity connected to all devices that use that wifi.
This is no way meant to be a threat Melissa, just letting people know that they have to study the requirements of any offer. I’m not saying they can see other activity, just that if the password gets in the wrong hands, it’s possible to get into other private info.
I just wanted to inform you so you can be aware, any device connected to your WiFi router can sign into it and make changes. You can look up your router online by brand and model # and it will tell you how to sign into it. Even show and help you make changes.
Thank you for the helpful information Kellie, I am so leery of things like this. People see “FREE” and sometimes don’t look into what may happen if the company is not on the up and up. I made sure I posted that these were my opinions and not just about this company but any in general. Again, thanks for your input.
Well, I don’t use my GMail account for anything. So, i wouldn’t care about that per se. Except that does let them send eMail spam to anyone in the world (make that everyone) using my name! The same is true for my phone number (I have many)- but i don’t want it use to pester folks during dinner or at 2 AM selling them something. And, while I have a “public” wifi in my house (that is separate from all the other devices so connected), I am sure most don’t. And, I would NEVER provide my drivers license information to anyone except a cop pulling me over for a ticket or to my auto insurance provider.
Well you about covered it Roy! Maybe this is legit, I just wanted others to know of some consequences if they stumble upon one that’s not so legit. I can’t figure out why so much personal information is needed. Thanks for your input.
This is fantastic advice. I see too many of these being posted in almost every Facebook group and so many desperate people fall victim.
It’s hard to tell which are legit any more, with so many going around Chi. And yes, many times it’s the desperate ones that think they will get rich quick that end up getting hurt. Thanks for stopping by.
There is always someone out there to steal from people… its terrible.
Unfortunately there are sites that feed on others Andria. Thanks for stopping by.
Interesting post, and I’m sharing this with my friends and family so that they can’t fall prey to these fake offers
Thanks for sharing
Dr Bushra
Do visit mineL for Live Fit with Healthy Diet for Pregnancy
We have to be careful when thinking of starting up on any site Bushra. Need to make sure everyone knows exactly what is required of them. Great healthy diet blog! Thanks for visiting!
This is why I chose not to do it. Plus it is a company that pays you to use your Facebook for ads, therefore not having to pay advertising fees for their businesses, and many of these business are getting sued for this. Also against many internet Tos rules.
I didn’t realize that about noting having to pay for advertising Margo. This may very well be legit but so many are scams, you never know which is on the up and up or not. Thanks for your input!
These type of free offers cross my path often and I just could never believe that I could be given something like a laptop for free. Thanks for the tips and advice. I will keep them in mind going forward!
There are legit sites but you have to read and understand everything. Some throw up red flags because the seem so secretive on the signup explanations and what information is needed. Thanks for stopping by J. Shan’Trice
Bottom line is there are some pretty strong facts and truths that should put up so many red flags you’d think you’ve somehow landed in a March For Heart Disease parade…
1. Their grammar is terrible in this “incredible offer”
2. They require your State issue ID and/or Driver’s License with your current mailing address. (If address does not match, you must provide a copy of a current internet bill with the address clearly shown where service is)
3. They require your gmail account to be at least 2 years old (aka established)
4. They require your login for gmail, password as well
5. They require use of your personal WI-FI, uninterrupted
6. People who are recruiting for this deal are being paid a bounty/finders fee
7. This offer is so top secret that it’s not available for anyone, you have to inquire and be referred. You’d think a legit company would have a website and referral link for people to use like secret shopping sites do or even giveaways. But there’s absolutely no real information about this except for when you get referred.
8. Those who are unaware.. Ummm.. Giving up your Google account login and password is actually AGAINST Google’s own Terms of Service and user agreement.
9. Anything that happens on your IP address, on your new laptop, on your 2+ year old gmail account will be your responsibility.
10. Other pre-loaded software that you may never know about can be on these laptops using your new device to host child porn, viruses, methods to scam or spam others, etc.
What great pointers Angel, thanks for your input. I have received comments from people saying they have received their laptop and nothing has been stolen. I hope it stays that way for them. I totally agree about having a website or referral link, not being so secretive and then when you mention something they don’t like, they block them. Google actually told me about not giving a third party your password. Thanks again for your input Angel.
I will be sharing this! Ty
I hope it saves at least a few from having problems if they give their password out. It’s so scary to see the number of people going for this offer and not even questioning all the info needed. Thanks for passing the word Stephanie.
Shared. All my Amazon reviewer friends keep posting about how they are in this “study” and received a free laptop. It’s funny how they are all excited about a refurbished laptop. You can buy a brand new one for less than $100 @sears. And if you buy Sears giftcards at giant eagle you earn free gas. 🙂 Why risk loosing your identity for a scrached up refurbished laptop?
I received a reply from someone that received her laptop and told me there was no worry about them getting any personal info, I’m still leary on things like this. I never told people not to do it, just be sure to understand what they are agreeing to on any offer they may be looking in to. Thanks for visiting and sharing Gigi!
I got my laptop and have had it setup for a week. I don’t have an extra $100 for a new one as someone stated above. Mine is very nice looking and an HP. They can’t get into my internet and I’ve had no issues so far. If I do I’ll come back and reply
I’m glad it’s working good for you Angela, I just wanted to let people know that some sites can be problematic. There are many offers that are definite fraud and I never said this one was, just be careful when you give out private info. Good luck on the study.
Thanks and I completely understand because I’ve been scammed before lol
I just received my laptop a few days ago. Brand New out the box laptop. Got it set up and they haven’t done anything yet. I’m still kind of Leary because I’m just wondering how do these people actually make money ? How are they able to buy so many laptops , send them out, just for a “research study ” and let the people keep them? Now their Asking for people that wants to place ads on their Facebook and get paid for “renting out their Facebook” .. started to do it but still want to do some research on who these people are… Never heard of them.
I had the same thoughts as you Asia about how they make their money. I’m assuming they are making money off everyone that has the laptop. They have your email and password so it would look like you are viewing the ads but they are making the money. I too saw about renting out Facebook accounts but I’m leery of all those type of sites. Some are so vague and they don’t give enough info, that’s why I didn’t care for the laptop offer, everything was so secretive. But then I found out that the people that were referring others made a good referral fee. I’d love to see an update from you on the laptop program. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
This lady was denied for the study and is now making money from this made up post. Every time some clicks her links she makes out from it.
I’m not sure what lady you are talking about being denied for the study Lori. If you are referring to me, I never signed up for it, I just want those that are looking into any offer like this to make sure they read all the fine print. The other thing about this offer, everyone was so secretive about it. I realize those that got referrals made a good amount of $$ but for me, it’s just not worth a laptop or any item to give my personal information, including password, out to unknown people.
This is completely legit. The person who stated this was probably denied because those that were denied tried using different names but got caught. Five people I know got there’s and posted photos.
All the information I was given for my blog were from people that are cautious about giving out personal information. None were denied the laptop because the never applied for it. This post was to let people know about all offers and to make sure they understand what information is required for them to give. Google stated no one should ever give their password to a third party. I know of some people that have received the laptops also Lori.
I have received my laptop. Had it up and running for the study for about 3 months. Now it’s done and the laptop is all mine. I had zero problem.
Glad to hear you had zero problems with yours. I have heard different from others and am in the process of updating my findings. Thanks for stopping by with your laptop update Niki.
I still see so many people doing this and I just shake my head! A huge red flag is them wanting your email, password and other personal info! No laptop is worth that.
I’m shaking my head with you Christal! I don’t like the idea on giving out an email plus password to anyone, let alone someone I don’t even know and everything is so sketchy about this. I’ll stick to my 7 year old laptop. LOL Thanks for the comments.
Kellie, that is just not entirely true. Most routers today come with their own passwords, separate from their WiFi passwords. I could give someone my password to connect to my WiFi all day, but they can’t access the routers software because they don’t have that password. If someone were to use the same password for both ,then yes they could, but no amount of searching how to access it is going to net them any good if they don’t have the password for the router itself.
Kellie’s comment you are replying to:I just wanted to inform you so you can be aware, any device connected to your WiFi router can sign into it and make changes. You can look up your router online by brand and model # and it will tell you how to sign into it. Even show and help you make changes.
While must routers have their own passwords, some don’t have any so I’m assuming that’s what Kellie was writing about. We can’t be too careful when it comes to giving out emails and passwords.Thanks for commenting Mindi