Survey Scams Are On The Rise
In 2024, Australians lost over $2.3 million to survey and competition scams.
Learn how to protect yourself from fake survey sites and data thieves.
Source: Scamwatch (ACCC)
$2.3M
Lost to Scams
Australia, 2024
6
Red Flags to Watch
Warning signs
5 Min
Verification Check
To confirm legitimacy
Why Survey Scams Exist
Before we identify scams, it's important to understand why they exist. Fake survey sites aren't trying to gather your opinions - they're after something much more valuable: your personal data.
What Scammers Want
Identity Information
Full name, DOB, address, driver's licence details - used for identity theft
Financial Details
Bank account numbers, credit cards, PayPal logins - direct theft or fraudulent charges
Contact Lists
Email addresses and phone numbers - sold to spam networks for profit
Login Credentials
Email/password combinations - used to access other accounts (email, social media, banking)
The Black Market for Data:
A complete identity (name, DOB, address, driver's licence) sells for $50-200 on the dark web. Email addresses go for $0.10 each in bulk. Your data is valuable to criminals!
Red Flags of Fake Survey Sites
Learn to spot these warning signs before you share any personal information. If a site displays multiple red flags, do not proceed!
Asking for Payment or Credit Card Details
BIGGEST RED FLAG - Walk away immediately!
What scammers say:
- "Just $1 registration fee to verify you're real"
- "We need your credit card to send payment"
- "Pay $29 for our premium survey membership"
- "Bank details required for direct deposit setup"
TRUTH: Legitimate survey sites NEVER ask for payment or credit card details. They pay YOU, not the other way around!
Unrealistic Earning Promises
If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
Scam promises:
- "Earn $500 per day from home!"
- "Make $50 per 5-minute survey!"
- "Guaranteed $1,000 your first week!"
- "Replace your full-time income with surveys!"
REALITY: Legitimate surveys pay $1-3 per survey (5-20 mins). Monthly earnings: $50-150 for active users. It's extra income, not a career.
No Clear Privacy Policy or Terms
Legitimate businesses are transparent about data usage
- No privacy policy link in footer
- Vague or generic terms and conditions
- No information about data storage or protection
- No mention of Australian privacy laws compliance
No Company Information
Legitimate businesses aren't anonymous
- No ABN (Australian Business Number)
- No physical address or location
- No contact information (phone, email)
- No "About Us" page
- Using generic Gmail/Hotmail email addresses
Poor Website Quality
Professional sites invest in professional presentation
- Spelling and grammar errors throughout
- Broken images or links
- Stock photos of people holding cash everywhere
- Pop-ups and aggressive advertising
- Mobile site doesn't work properly
Immediate High-Value "Wins"
Classic bait-and-switch tactic
The scam flow:
- 1You complete a "survey" (actually just giving them data)
- 2Pop-up: "Congratulations! You've won $500!"
- 3"Just verify your bank details to claim your prize"
- 4You provide bank info thinking you'll get $500
- 5Money never arrives, but your bank account gets drained
Nobody wins $500 from their first survey. Ever. This is 100% a scam!
Signs of Legitimate Survey Sites
Now that you know what to avoid, here's what real survey platforms look like:
Clear Payment Structure
Transparent about how you earn and redeem
- Exact CompBux or points per survey (e.g., "150-200 CB per survey")
- Clear redemption tiers (e.g., "1,000 CB = $10 gift card")
- Specific payment methods (gift cards, PayPal, bank transfer)
- Realistic earning timeframes ("Earn $50-100/month")
- No hidden fees or charges
Comprehensive Privacy Policy
Detailed explanation of data handling
- What personal data is collected
- How data is stored and protected
- Who data is shared with (survey partners)
- Your rights (access, correction, deletion)
- Compliance with Australian Privacy Principles
Real Member Testimonials
Verifiable reviews from actual users
- Reviews on independent platforms (Trustpilot, Google, Facebook)
- Mix of positive and constructive feedback (no site is perfect)
- Specific details in reviews (not generic "Great site!")
- Recent reviews (within last 6 months)
- Responses from company to negative reviews
Established Track Record
Years in operation = trustworthy
- Founded date (ideally 3+ years ago)
- Registered ABN (verifiable on ABN Lookup)
- Physical business address in Australia
- Active social media presence (regular posts, engagement)
- Member count (legitimate sites share this)
How to Verify a Survey Platform
Before signing up for any survey site, follow this 5-minute verification checklist:
5-Minute Verification Checklist
Google Search: "[Site Name] scam reviews"
Check first page of results. Multiple scam warnings = avoid. Mix of reviews = investigate further.
Check Trustpilot & Google Reviews
Look for 3.5+ star average with 100+ reviews. Read both 5-star and 1-star reviews to get balanced view.
Verify ABN on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au)
Australian businesses must have ABN. Search company name and confirm registration date, entity type, and status.
Check Domain Age (WHOIS lookup)
Use who.is or similar. Sites less than 6 months old = high risk. 2+ years = more trustworthy.
Search Reddit & Facebook for User Experiences
Search "r/beermoney [site name]" or "paid surveys australia [site name]" to find real user discussions.
Pro Tip:
If you can't find any information about a survey site (no reviews, no ABN, no social presence), that's a red flag. Legitimate sites have online footprints.
What Information is Safe to Share
Even on legitimate survey sites, you need to know what's safe to provide and what should never be asked for.
SAFE to Provide
- Name (first and last)
- Email address (use dedicated survey email)
- Mobile number (for verification)
- Postcode (for demographics)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Employment status
- Income bracket (ranges)
- PayPal email (for payments only)
NEVER Provide
- Credit card numbers
- Bank account details (BSB, account)
- Driver's licence number
- Medicare number
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- Passport number
- Social Security Number
- Mother's maiden name
- Exact home address (street number)
CRITICAL RULE:
If a survey site asks for credit card, bank details, TFN, or driver's licence number, STOP IMMEDIATELY AND LEAVE. This is 100% a scam or identity theft attempt. Report it to Scamwatch.
How to Report Survey Scam Sites
If you encounter a fake survey site, report it to help protect other Australians from falling victim.
1. Scamwatch (ACCC)
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission's official reporting tool
scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
2. ReportCyber (ACSC)
Australian Cyber Security Centre for online fraud and cybercrime
cyber.gov.au/report
3. Google Safe Browsing
Help Google block the scam site for all users
safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/
Already Shared Information?
If you've given personal details to a suspected scam site:
- 1Contact your bank immediately if you shared financial details
- 2Change passwords for accounts using that email/password combination
- 3Monitor your credit report for suspicious activity (Equifax, Experian)
- 4Report to Scamwatch to help track the scam
- 5Consider IDCare (idcare.org) for identity theft support
Quick Reference: Safety Checklist
Never pay to join a survey site
Verify ABN on official lookup
Check independent reviews
Read the privacy policy
Never share bank/card details
Be sceptical of huge promises
Use dedicated survey email
Report scams to Scamwatch