Friday, November 19, 2010

Is My Opinions a Scam?

The Internet is the new frontier of the scammer - individual and organisations alike. Beware Dear Reader - they are everywhere and anywhere.

Some things start out with best intentions, some start out with the deliberate intention of scamming you and anybody else they can get into.

And some times allegations get thrown around for no real reason at all.....If you read some of the blogs around you find some negative feedback about just about everything and anything.

Which brings me to my point, I was reading recently about how 'My Opinions' was just another internet scam. This seemed quite strange, especially since I was just about to get my $60 payment from them thru paypal.

For the record, in Australia, at least, I get about 3 or 4 surveys do to from My Opinions each week, they are usually worth between 150 and 500 points (which roughly equates to $1.50 to $5) the surveys are generally pretty easy and quick to complete.

So where does the bad feedback come from?

Maybe they thought they were going to make a fortune filling in surveys?
Maybe they got screened because they put in stupid answers in the surveys?
Maybe they were trying to scam the survey panel?

I really don't know.

I guess the lesson in this might be:

a) don't have too high an expectation of making money with doing online surveys....seriously its pocket money, an extra part time (tax free) income at best.

b) sometimes the scammers aren't the company but the people who try to rip the company off....

Of course don't stop being suspicious and sceptical of anything you see or read on the Internet or anywhere else for that matter.

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just joined my opinions for some extra money, so I cant really see anyone getting mad at them for any reason; its free money!

Anonymous said...

I dont think its a scam. It just takes an awfully long time to make any money. Some of the surveys take 20 minutes to fill in and are worth only 300 points ( about $3). Sometimes I wonder if its worth the effort.I get screened out most of the time not because I give bad answers but I am not in the demographic they want.I have been a member for 8 months and have only just reached 1000 points

Anonymous said...

I thought my opinions was a good way to make some extra money, but I always get screened out in some unfair way - it is a site with no moral standards attached so don't be disappointed when you get screened out for no reason.

Anonymous said...

It takes a long time to gain enough points to cash in & screening out happens a lot. I don't think it is worth the effort to be honest & if it doesn't improve soon I am closing my account. You can link it to rewards central but there you need an unusually high amount of points to claim a reward of any kind.
So it is not quite a scam but they do manage to spread the surveys out to reduce the chance to gain points.
My advice to those who are looking to earn some extra cash don't waste yr time on this on since the chance to be screened out is too common after answering some of the survey they send.

Anonymous said...

I think most survey sights are a rip off. Honestly, they are not worth the time. I have been with my opinions for about 9 months and in that time I've earnt $20. Some surveys I have done have taken me an hour + to do, and the highest paid I've ever gotten was 600 points( around $5.50) It sounds okay when you read, but for the time you have to put into them, in the long run it isn't. I've gone sometimes up to five weeks without receiving any surveys, even with my profile and account fully updated. I think it's a little stupid that it takes normally 6-8 weeks to get your money as well, I don't get why they can't do two monthly installments of payments instead of just one. I normally always get screened out as well because I don't qualify, and I am greatful that they still credit me with 5 points and that, but really, in my opinion- it isn't worth it. MyOpinions definitley is not one of the bad sites out there- in fact, they are regarded as one of the better ones. But in my opinion, ALL survey sights need to be taken a look at because I just don't think the rewards are fair enough for the time you put in. I mean, 250 points for a 15-2o minute survey? (only about $2.00) is a rip.

Anonymous said...

I agree with all the comments made. What I am finding recently is that I get almost to the end of a survey - having spent an hour to complete it - and the program/computer freezes. Then when I try to re-enter the survey to complete it, I am told that This survey must be finished in one session. It seems to be happening too often to be a simple error. It occurs to me that if a large number of people are almost finished the surveys and then, due to a 'problem' cannot complete the survey, then all the information has been given, but no points can be awarded = Intentional error/scam! NOT HAPPY!

Anonymous said...

It is a scam. No surveys for 5 months after being a member for years? I am still with MyRewards though.

Unknown said...

If you haven't received a survey for 5 months, you may have been removed from the email list. Maybe check your profile.

Anonymous said...

I can never sign in.The help line is no help at all.They say they are improving. ?

Unknown said...

Ok My Opinions/Rewards Central, are making good money themselves and are very cunning, looking for dummy's
(1)They play with the “ time to complete” and make sure they are on the winning side there, always fudge about 15 minutes
(2)They use points instead of dollars because it sounds like more
(3) in reality they are paying about $2.50 per hour so 40 hours will net you $100.00
(4) you need over 3000 points before you can get paid i.e. $30, here’s the big catch *** when you get over 2000 points they slow you up to give a lot more to the new starters so they don’t have to pay you, VERY CLEVER hey, They would be fined in normal trade GOOD LUCK 

Unknown said...

In my opinion "My Opinion" Use unconscionable behaviour and should be prosecuted, I complained to them in a reasonable way and they stopped sending me surveys for 2 weeks

Carli said...

I earn around $100 a year from My Opinions surveys, certainly NOT a scam.

Anonymous said...

They say you need 2200 points to cash in. How much money do you get paid for this amount of points. A supposedly 44 minute survey takes more like 4hours to complete. So i would expect at least 220 dollars for 2200 points. Even that would be underpayment for the time. So can anyone tell me how much they pay for 2200 points? Am i wasting my precious time?

Anonymous said...

It's a scam. Been with them for several years then they said I'd rushed through a survey - as if you can - and haven't sent me another survey for five months. They can put their surveys where the sun don't shine, I'll stick with companies who treat people fairly.

Anonymous said...

Definitely a SCAM!

Been a member for nearly a year and completed enough surveys to earn paypal payment but as soon as I claimed My Opinions demanded I send them copies of Identification and bank details. Will not pay unless I do! What they need copies of identification and bank details for to send payment to paypal that has legitimatly been earnt on their surveys is beyond me! I believe this is an excuse to not pay as they know people don't like to hand these kind of details out.
They have also refused to return points claimed back to account so I have earnt all these points for nothing! I am also member of their partner site Rewards Central and yet have never had an issue with them when claimed rewards!
Don't waist your time on this sites surveys as the only ones that are going to gain are them!

Anonymous said...

no survey asks so many questions..wtf are that doing with that info??????? selling it and paying you 1 cent per hour, to inform them of ur habits......ripoff, should be removed from television advertising.....dont do it, dont use it...

Anonymous said...

I have joined for two months now and I already have 1000 points, it's also Australia's number 1 paid survey website, IT'S DEFINETELY NO SCAM!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This site may not be a scam, but users should be informed of what to expect. There are certain key facts deliberately omitted from the site and all the information they provide - for example, at no point do they tell people how much money these mysterious 'points' are worth. That is critical information. Secondly, I found the initial survey information unacceptably intrusive and thorough. Further, since I signed with them, the amount of spam I receive both electronically and in the post has sky rocketed in a way that shocks me. I had given neither details to anybody else. The email had only EVER been shared with them. It is clear that they sold those contact details as they are the only company ever to have been given them. I see people saying they got screened out of surveys - I was getting three to six A DAY, usually with pathetically low point rewards (like a 45 minute survey with a 50 point reward - about 50c in other words). More and more I found myself ignoring these annoying survey invitations that became no better than any other spam, the intrusive surveys and repeat mailings leading me to finally cancel the account after I received a cranky email from them for not responding to enough surveys. My Opinions can get jumped as far as I am concerned.

For those who successfully use it, great! I suspect you are in the minority.

Anonymous said...

My Opinions.com.au does not want your opinions - just your private information!

Unknown said...

I find the surveys moderately appealing but will generally not complete a survey of 20 minutes or more.
How does one go about redeeming the points? I religiously receive a "Loyalty Bonus and Account Statement" but have no idea of how to redeem.
Would appreciate any assistance?
Best regards,
Craig.

AUSSIE ECO FARMS - YARRA GLEN said...

I used to participate in surveys by actually attending survey group sessions a few years ago and get paid $50 for a couple hours giving my opinions, but if you added travel and travel costs it was less. Yet interesting work.

I think they points system hide the low earnings being offerred to participants, however this might be due to the high rate of those trying to rort the system for which they need to more of their time to sort out..

Anonymous said...

Hey Carli how did you manage that when it took me 2 months to accumulate 2000 points though has any one won the $500 draw prize!?.

Anonymous said...

I would never join these sites for one very good and very old reason, that my father told me and his father told him. Never ,never give an unknown organisation or body your personal details. They can sell it do what they want with it, it's called Identity theft. Does Time share or Pyramid scams ring a bell people. Hasn't any one out there heard of identity fraud !!! Its been around for decades and decades..

Anonymous said...

Not a scam, but they certainly adopt dubious practices. The last time I got enough points to cash out they asked me to send a copy of my driver's license to verify my identify. No one in their right mind posts that kind of personal information online no matter what their privacy statement says.

ProTheFessor said...

What I would like to find out is what do they do with your PERSONAL INFO? (Address, Mobile) Has anybody received an increase of spam or junk mail since they signed up?

Sean said...

Hey guys, thanks for all those posts, only been at My opinions for 2 days and was a bit worried about the info I was giving to them.most of you guys have pointed out a few things that hadnt occurred to me. Think I give the 20 cents an hour (or what ever the going rate is) a miss. My time and personal information is a lot more valuable than that.

Anonymous said...

so far i have made 58 dollars in 9 months still sitting in a paypal account

Russ Benk said...

Yeah, it takes one hell of a long time to get to the cash out point with survey sites. I transfer my points from myopinion to another survey site and cash out with the combined points from two sites.

KellyS said...

My personal experience with the surveys was - every time i did a survey, i'd answer about 10-15 sometimes 20 questions and then i would get a pop up informing that i was not 'eligible' for this particular survey....? What? And since i'd already wasted 10 minutes for nothing - i stopped doing them after about 10 consecutive times this occurred. I felt like they'd already gotten all the info they would need and the loophole being they could at any point prior to me completing the survey chuck in the 'not eligible' pop up and negate any financial obligations.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone who is a member EVER won a decent prize on the guessing game? there are 1 each of 100, 200 and 500 on a 49 square grid, so on average you should win 1 each per year. in 1 year of playing each week, the highest i have won is 50 points. does ANYONE ever get 100 plus?

HappyEnough said...

I've been with it since it was EmailCash before splitting into My Opinions and Rewards Central. It's not a scam, just don't expect to make a fortune from it. I generally cash out about $150 a year but yes, sometimes it takes time to get it and I get screened out a bit - the surveys about alcohol are the worst for that, but the client is looking for a particular demographic and if I don't fit then I don't fit.

No, I haven't had an increase in spam.

Yes, I've collected a 100 point prize and several 50s, but how are YOU playing? Totally randomly every week? Remember that probability has no memory.

And if you're taking 4 hours to complete a 'supposedly 44 minute survey' then there's something else wrong, perhaps a desire to exaggerate to boost your case?

You'll never get rich this way, but if you spend a bit of time then you can make some pocketmoney - that's all it will ever be.

Anonymous said...

I pick the same box each week. 6 months later and I have won 100 points once, but still no 200 or 500. I'll re-phrase my question, has anyone EVER won 200 or 500 points? I am long overdue for both

Anonymous said...

It is not a scam. I have been a member of rewards central since 2008. I have completed many surveys in that time which are related to what I have filled out on the details. The screening out is because they have enough people within a certain age range already or that don't meet the criteria they are looking for. I have had no problem in cashing in my points for dollars and it is deposited straight into my bank account. It can take a little while to accumulate points to redeem, certainly wont make you a millionaire but if you try every survey that comes your way the points start building up.

Anonymous said...

stop whining….i have made 30 dollars in six weeks…what do you expect…..australians have become a nation of whiners

Joy said...

Do you need to give them your bank details and drivers license details to collect your money?

Anonymous said...

Seem to spend just as much of my valuable time contacting them to enquire as to why points haven't been credited for the surveys I complete. Been a member of My Opinions and Rewards Central for years and go to a lot of trouble for around $90 per year. Not going to bother anymore after my next cash out. It's simply not worth it !!

Anonymous said...

I would strongly urge any student in Marketing or Research to 'join'. I have seen some of the very very biggest research houses putting up some of the world's worst questionnaires - so bad in fact they are embarrassing - but all good stuff for students to learn form. And some surveys can take HOURS to complete, with some hugely repetitive questions asked or asked in repetitive ways or asked as if they've never been asked of you like they hadn't been asked before and you ask yourself, is it worth your time for $2 to $3 per hour? I say yes if it's fun and good value to be part of something good. When the surveys are crap though, it's terrible to think graduates get paid $60,000 a year to write that crap - worse still to think their bosses either don't know, or don't care - and I am not sure which is worse.

Well I know what's worse. Small and medium amd large companies count on the accuracy of information obtained from these surveys. You need to see them before you can decide whether or not you'd ever pays tens of thousands of dollars to research companies that did it this way.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Well I just did a survey that took three hours and the reward was supposed to be 2000 points. It wasn't until I finished that I was informed that I had screened out and I would receive only 20 points. I have been a member for some time but that is the end for me.

Anonymous said...

While its not a scam site, your not going to get rich from them.

It might be a miracle but yes, I have got the 500 points in the weekly click thing once.

Im dubious about their $5000 giveaway that went from twice a year to once a year.
The fact that they have now changed the transfer of points to Rewards Central from 100 points to 1500 points is nothing more than a way to ensure that people dont earn as many points in the Ebank in interest.

Avoid the 3 hour Alcohol survey that pops up every month or so at all costs. You will always end up not completing it in time or it locks up after doing an hour or so of questions. By the time it unlocks the survey is closed.

Anonymous said...

my opinions is fine just like many others. never expect big money but a good way to make constant good pocket money is to sign up with as many companies that exist and also join focus groups as many as u can and do home product test ive made $5000 in the last 6months by doing this in my spare time just need to be prepared

Anonymous said...

No - Myopinions is Not a scam. You do get paid for your time for completing surveys. However once you accumulate a fair bit of credit - and before you have a chance to 'cash in ' the number of surveys you are invited to complete dwindles away to almost zero. It seems that they want you to answer their questions and do their work for them, but when it looks like payday is approaching, they walk away from you. There are other much better survey groups than this one!

Anonymous said...

'My Opinions' are Shithouse. I agree with the person above, I completed (in it's entirety) a 3.5 hour survey, was promised 2000 points on completion, the screen shot at the end stated 'thank you for your participation you have been awarded 20 points'....nice one.....I'll bet they will be using my detailed personal information to on-sell to other companies who will then continually ring/email and try and spruik insurance, time-shares, banking products etc...again, 'Shithouse'.

Unknown said...

So, first of all, MyOpinions is NOT a scam. I have just started doing surveys and as of 3 hours later, after hours of pure survey work :3, I have accumulated enough points to get the Flexi eGift card. What i did with my card was converted it to a Big W voucher and used that to buy Riot Points(A League of Legends conversion of money). I was so happy that it actually works and not a scam and here I am, doing my survey job for free money. Literally.

Anonymous said...

Is it safe to use like giving all your details like I did one and I had to tell were I lived and who lived in the house with me and what I had in my house like I feel some one is going to come out and rob us well they have enough info to Domitian now or kill us ( a bit over board ) but seriously is it SAFE???????????????????

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said.
I do not know whats going on nowdays, as I get surveys coming up and as soon as I put my details in it states no surveys, is it because of age,
and they think that we can not answer the questions, let me say that the elderly know more about the questions that orthers,

Anonymous said...

Yes, definitely a scam. Just earned enough points to qualify for a Paypal order and when I tried to claim it said you're barred. Strange that they let you keep answering surveys till you get to a high enough amount. Subscribe to sites that treat you fairly, this isn't one.

Anonymous said...

I have been at My Opnions for years and enjoyed the surveys. had collected just over 4000+ points. I saw that it was a nice amount of cashing in. On Sep 30 I noticed it, and decided to do the cashing on Oct1. Only to find my accoung deleted and the passwords regulations had changed. So I had to supply a new password which meant a new account. I was on the site on a daily basis and after my question about my account, they just told me I was too young, (I am a aged pensioner0, I WAS IN THE WRING INDUSTRY and not allowed to be in the surveys. Even after being accepted for years on end. My account had not been active for over 1 year, even accessing it on a daylky basis, morning and afternoon looking for surveys etc.
I really think that it is a scam businus.
if you reaaly enjoy it, just wait a while till you have a decent amount of points and then they change the rules.

Anonymous said...

They refuse to accept that I was a member for years, refuse to give me my points back and after years of checking daily twice for surveys, they tell me that my account had been inactive for more than a year.

Also I was working in a nion acceptable industry and unqualified to me a member. Also I was too young. Am in my 70's.
They suddenly changed the rule of the password and then they came up with those stupid excuses

Nottrustthem said...

My Opinions according me is a scam when you have enough points to start converting them. They recently changed their website and changed the rules for the password. After years of participating I wanted to collect the cash only to discover I could not log in. Mad inquiries and got a reply that I had illegally 2 accounts, had not accessed my account for over a year and I was too young to participate, while I am a pensioner of 65+. Then they also told me I was working in an for surveys not acceptable industry.
In this way I would say it is at long term a big scam and a rip off!

I have been ripped off said...

I did trust them until a few weeks ago and I can tell you once you have quite a few points they change some of the rules and/or requirements and then you have lost your points. They even tell you that your account had not ben active for over a certain time and that you were too young.

Anonymous said...

My Opinions has recently Joined forces with another company over in the 'States' and ever since, I've had nothing but trouble. try changing your 'password with the same one that you actually sign in with!. I now get this message THE PASSWORD YOU ENTERED IS DIFFERENT THEN THE ONE WE HAVE ON PROFILE. Seems obvious to me that, My Opinions doesn't want to pay me anymore and I've been a member for over three years now!!!.

Scam for sure!!!.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, MyOpinions seems to have gone downhill recently after it was bought out late 2015. While it is still possible to earn rewards, the survey system is very hit and miss, they eliminated the weekly 'instant win', and cut down the cash competitions. Unfortunately, you can also expect to be kicked out of a survey after 20 plus minutes instead of right at the start, effectively wasting your entire time on the site. Looks like it might be time to call it quits after 5 years.

Jan Banks said...

I finally got a long survey which should have given me $20. I spent hours on this and tried to give honest answers, but as soon as I pressed the last button, they said I had not given the correct answers etc. I did not spend all of that time to expect a failure at the other end. I think that this must be a scam, as I have since been contacted by a company who would have only known about me via that survey. Not only have they made me do all of that work, and not gotten the $20, but they are still using the survey, and have probably been paid for it. THAT IS CHEATING

Rhys Saultry said...

i have been able to earn 12,000 points so far in 6 months that's $120 my opinions is definitely not a scam for someone like me that gets $260 a fortnight to survive on this is great gives me a bit of pocket money

Caveman222 said...

I have been part of a few survey companies for pocket money and have given them all away except for MyOpinions (MO). Although MO do kick me out of about half the surveys I try I still get about $10 per fortnight. The other survey companies would kick me out 80% of the time and yet ask questions that were obviously product based (and many of them) before they give you the boot. In other words I am saying that I believe they got useful info without having to compensate for it. MO qualifying questions are usually few in number, hardly ever product based and even if they boot you they award points and tickets for a quarterly draw.

For my time and effort My Opinions seems to be the best. BUT it is just pocket money and you would be far better off mowing the neighbors lawn for a few bucks than relying on surveys for a top up.

Caveman222 said...

I have been part of a few survey companies for pocket money and have given them all away except for MyOpinions (MO). Although MO do kick me out of about half the surveys I try I still get about $10 per fortnight. The other survey companies would kick me out 80% of the time and yet ask questions that were obviously product based (and many of them) before they give you the boot. In other words I am saying that I believe they got useful info without having to compensate for it. MO qualifying questions are usually few in number, hardly ever product based and even if they boot you they award points and tickets for a quarterly draw.

For my time and effort My Opinions seems to be the best. BUT it is just pocket money and you would be far better off mowing the neighbors lawn for a few bucks than relying on surveys for a top up.

Anonymous said...

i have earned $90 worth of points in two weeks, and have cashed in about $150 worth in a month and a half?? I have had no problems at all?? The only down side i can see is that the amount of survey opportunities is much lower than when i joined?!

Anonymous said...

Definitely not a scam as i've made a decent amount of money in the past 6 months, its safe and you can get some great perks from the site, only problems I'm experiencing now and has happened about 5 times and still counting, i'll get to the end of a survey and where my points should be credited i get a sorry this survey is unavailable screen, regardless of how many times i report the survey, myopinions do not respond and nor do they credit the points and the survey completely disappears off the list. A shame since ive lost in excess of $10+ points/dollar value with this happening, my 5 star rating for them has slowly been dropping down to 1 due to the recent crap customer service, a shame this type of behaviour makes them look like scam artist of people's time.

shoeie said...

I hav been doing My Opinion surveys for some time, and just do it as a past time. I have collected around $200 through Pay Pal,which have paid a few for a few taxi's and cups of coffee... have had no trouble redeeming my points.

Anonymous said...

Be vary wary of completing the 3>3.5 hr surveys for $30 from here and the other websites that offer them.More than once i have filled out the survey continuously up to around 90% only to be times out and receive nothing for my time and effort.
Terry.

Anonymous said...

A lot of people seem to have their account conveniently terminated when they're about to get enough points to redeem some cash . Maybe not a scam to some - but definitely to others that have had this happen to them .