Fake Company Survey with Free Gift Scam
Scammers pretend to be well-known companies, like AAA or other membership services, and send emails inviting you to take a quick survey about your recent experience. The message often promises a free reward—such as a gift card, roadside kit, or other “thank you” item—for completing the survey. The link in the email doesn’t go to the real company. Instead, it leads to a fake site that either tries to steal your personal details, trick you into entering payment info for shipping, or installs harmful software on your device.
How this scam works
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Step 1: You receive an email claiming to be from a well-known business, such as AAA, often using their logo and wording that sounds professional.
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Step 2: The email thanks you for being a customer and invites you to take a short survey, promising a reward for your time.
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Step 3: The message includes a link or button to start the survey, with urgent language like 'limited time offer.'
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Step 4: When you click, you are sent to a fake website that may ask for your name, address, account info, or even payment details for shipping your gift. Sometimes, the site may try to download viruses or spyware.
✓ Do this
- Check if the sender’s email address matches the official company’s domain (like @aaa.com)—watch for small differences.
- Visit the real company website directly instead of clicking links in emails.
- Look up recent scams related to the company if you’re unsure.
- Report suspicious emails to the real company’s customer service.
✗ Avoid this
- Do not click links or download files from emails you didn’t expect, even if they seem helpful.
- Do not share your personal details or payment info for ‘free’ gifts.
- Do not trust messages that pressure you with urgency or deadlines.
Different versions of this scam
1 exampleQuick tip: Verify independently
Don’t call numbers or click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the company’s official site or app and contact support from there.