Can anyone post a systematic check list to identify a program as scam?

If you just judge from the appearance of the website. PaidforSurf looks like a scan. So are the OLD cashsurfers website. Companies who only really paid could prove themselve.

"Semi-scam" like spedia have a professional looking websites and do pay, but I think at least half of us will think that it is a scam.

So even paying companies could not prove themselve. Are there a systemic way with high predictive value in idetifying a scam?

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Get Paid Directory - The Open Directory Project of Get Paid Programs
Get Paid Watch - The Get Paid to Surf Portal

I have a great scam checklist, it works! i sought out uniquesurf as a scam with this list:

1) Customer service replies
2) Bar looks good, and requires high attention level
3) Company has good reputation (ie by sending out checks)
4) Web site looks good
5) They are not in 'BETA' for more that 2 months
6) Cheaters cannot sign up more than once after being cancelled.

If your answers are
1)Yes
2)Yes
3)Yes
4)Yes
5)No
6)No, Then you have a great company
If yhour answers are opposite, then you have a possible scam at hand, semi-scams on the other hand, can only be plucked out by first-hand experience (Having your account cancelled by spedia for no ****en reason)
BTW **** surfingprizes, they were an exception to this list, i dont think anybody thought they would be a scam.

Here's some things you should check out when a company first launches. While not one single factor could make a program a scam, too many of these red flags usually indicate one.

-Poor site design: If the site design is poor, they either put no effort into it, or can't afford a decent designer. If they can't afford a designer, how can the afford to pay thousands of members or get advertisers?

-WhoIs info: Always look at the domain whois info. Check fro fake names, who registered it, where it is hosted, everything. This can be done by goign to a place such as http://www.whois.net and typing in the url

-Unbelieveable rates: If a company says they are paying 50 cents an hour unlimited, be very wary. The way the market is now, 20 cents/hour unlimited is a little above average. And 50 cents an hour is good with low hours (i.e. Jotter). If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

-Study the TOS: Take a nice, long look at their Terms of Service. It should sound authentic, not rushed. I've seen a 5 line TOS, a ripped off TOS, and like GoldenChannel, NO TOS at all! Also check for an advertisers section. No company would not want advertisers.

-Check the banners: Check the banners to make sure they aren't from a 3rd party affiliate. It is against Commision Junction's TOS to entice viewers with cash or rewards to click on banners. Paid to surf programs are forbidden from using these banners. Also watch out if they reward users with clicks.

-Secure Info: How secure is your info? Are you giving this scam company all your info? Make sure that there are no loopholes that expose your info to the outside world. Like in the case with BearCatOnline, all info is simply emailed to someone (along with your name, address, and password), and like with Ad-Viewers, some simple snooping reveals a folder with ALL membership info.

-Anything Abnormal: If they request you join paypal with their ref link, if they send you spam, if your emails get bounced back, if anything happens that a normal, honest company wouldn't let occur, be wary.

Those a a few things you should check out before signing up for a company. It may sound like alot, but it really is easy to do. It will save you effort and embarrasment from promoting a company that took all your money and hard work. If you just have a bad feeling about a company, just don't sign up. Wait until the company has paid to make extra sure. DO NOT SUPPORT THESE SCAMMERS. For every signup they get, it's another reason to make another scam company.


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Evan S.
UnitedAgainstCheaters.com - Take Paid to surf back!