FREE [Whatever}, just complete a bunch of trial shit!

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:43 pm

Any actual point in doing these things? Or is there some hidden rape monster in them? Can you actually trust to get your free ps3 or whatever?

RobbyPants · Post by **RobbyPants** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:03 pm

I guess it depends on what you're talking about.

If it's a promo for some expendable good (vitamins or whatever), then it might be legit. They want you to try it once, like it, and pay for more.

If it's something like a free PS3, I doubt it. Those things cost money and they aren't likely to be giving those things away.

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:05 pm

Generally not. Assuming that they even give out a PS3 or an iPhone or whatever to some lucky contestant, chances are about 100% that the person in question will be their brother in law. Since no one can check their work, there is no real reason for them to conduct the drawing fairly - or at all.

It's just a way to phish for personal information.

-Username17

CatharzGodfoot · Post by **CatharzGodfoot** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:10 pm

One way they do it is send you the free item, but require a credit card number. Then they charge you for the item (usually at above market price), and tell you you cash in a rebate online to get your money back. Getting the rebate requires that you give out more personal information, sign up to be advertised at, and often even subscribe to pay services.

So yeah, it's a phishing scam, but it's also much more than that.

[Edit] That's actually how I got my current cable internet. It's at below the standard cost and above the standard bandwidth, presumably because the phishing company cut a deal with TWC. But they charged $50 for a "free" $25 router and $50 for a "free" and redundant cable modem. We not to take the "rebates", and in the end we're paying (including the $100) about what we would have with TWC directly for our current data rate. [/Edit]

Juton · Post by **Juton** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:31 pm

If I remember correctly they require you to enroll more people into the program to get anything, I think 10 for an iPod and a lot more for a PS3. Also there is a raft of small print, and you have a set amount of time to complete all these tasks. So basically it's better to get an actual job.

Crissa · Post by **Crissa** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:31 pm

I've tried to get the $10 or a free ticket from the movie theater add-ons... The $10 comes after you spend $70 on a discount system which is just coupons you can't use. The free ticket I assume never comes; I filled out they stuff and they've never given me a ticket despite qualifying.

But yeah, it's all phishing. Some of it is 'legit', but by they time you get the object, you've just made yourself the target of numerous phone calls and junk mail and spam.

-Crissa

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:35 pm

Ok, I always figured it was just money extorting, glad to know it's even worse than that. well, there's always ebay and used systems at dimple and gamestop and shit.