Privacy Implications of Sweepstakes, Freebies, and Like-Farming Sites

Sweepstakes and Freebies are great for Marketing Purposes;
They're Also Great for Mining Your Information

Be Smart When Entering Contests or Requesting Freebies

Our last few posts have focused on the privacy implications of Internet Quizzes.  We are currently evaluating SAFE quiz sites, and that series will resume when we've had a chance to complete our research. (The bad sites are MUCH more numerous than the legit ones.) But quiz sites are not the only data miners out there.  You must be just as cautious when participating in sweepstakes and contests, as well as when signing up for freebies of any kind.

Playing the "Sweeps"

I have been an avid "sweepser" since the they went online.  (Those of us who enter contests and sweepstakes as a hobby affectionately call it "Sweepsing."  People who do this are "Sweepsters.") Before there was a World Wide Web, I returned the occasional sweepstakes card, figuring I might get lucky for the cost of a stamp.  I foolishly dropped my business card in bowls at restaurants, promising a drawing for a gift card or exotic vacation.  Then I wondered where all that junk mail and those time share calls were coming from.

When sweepsing went online, and form fillers were invented, I approached sweepsing with a fervor. With a few clicks, I could enter for all types of prizes, and I didn't even need to invest the cost of a stamp.  I won a pair of headphones, and I think it turned the fervor into an addiction.  I actively hunted out sweepstakes and was nonchalant about reading any fine print.  I watched the required ads before being able to click "Enter."  I thought watching those ads was the only "cost" of entering the contest.  Before long, my phone was getting blown up by telemarketers, and I was getting hundreds of spam messages a day.

The Government created the "Do Not Call List," and I registered BOTH my cell phone and my landline on the first day it opened.  The calls did not decrease.  One time I angrily informed a telemarketer that I was on the "Do Not Call List," and I had NOT given permission for them to call. He huffed back "You opted in when you played that Free Lotto and agreed to third-party marketing. I can remove you from OUR list, but I can't do anything about those 500 OTHER marketers they sold you to."

I started to read the fine print.  I stopped playing the "Free Lotto" and got a new e-mail address. AND I got a yahoo address to use just for playing the sweeps.

"Good" Sweepstakes

I still play the sweepstakes, but I am more choosy about which I play.  Sweepstakes and giveaways are great marketing avenues.  Many readers came to this site through an Amazon Giveaway.  Many folks play a ton of Amazon Giveaways, and they play BECAUSE the entry "cost" is very clear: an Amazon Account, and one of a choice of requirements. To enter, you either watch a video, tweet a tweet, or follow someone on Twitter, depending on what the Sponsor selects.  It's a fantastic way to get Twitter followers or to get a video seen.  I have purchased several products because I was offered a discount coupon on a prize I did not win, so it's also a great way for sellers to get a product noticed.  I feel comfortable playing an Amazon Sweepstakes, as I know the sponsor gets NONE of my personal information.  Winner selection and prize awarding is all handled by Amazon.

Likewise, I play the sweepstakes and instant win games sponsored by the Big Corporations.  I miss the $150 a year I ALWAYS seemed to win when Camel was running the IWGs (Instant Win Games.) I play the IWGs and sweepstakes sponsored by Proctor and Gamble brands, Pepsi and Coke, Trade Associations, and others who find sweeps to be cheap and effective marketing.  Most times, the "cost" of entry is opting in to receive their newsletter, which is often how I hear about new contests.  I hit the unsubscribe button a lot.

"Bad" Sweepstakes

I have learned to shun many sweepstakes.  Those that require MORE than opting into communications from THAT division or only THAT company, I avoid.  I usually avoid those that require phone numbers.  I definitely look at the fine print and the privacy policy.  If there is ANY verbiage related to "opting-in" to "third party communications" or "sharing" my information, I click away.

Today, I clicked through a friend's Facebook "share" of  a sweepstakes for a vacation, just out of curiosity.  I was brought to a form with NO other links at all--not a link to the home page, the form host, a privacy policy...NOTHING!  That may have been on the confirmation form AFTER I hit submit, but I was not going to take a chance.  By then, I could have been infected with malware, or agreed to broadcast my personal information on the screens in Times Square.  By hitting that "enter" button, I was agreeing to whatever terms they wanted to thrust upon me later.  It is the equivalent of signing ONLY the last page of a contract, with the other 4 pages all covered up.

Dangers and What to Look For

The dangers of contests and sweepstakes are VERY similar to the dangers of Facebook quizzes. There are very legitimate reasons to sponsor a giveaway.  However, there are just as many nefarious purposes.  The same care must be used when sweepsing.

That "Enter" or "Submit" form may actually be programmed to submit a form.  It may also be programmed to plant a virus or malware.  It might be programmed to activate your microphone or webcam.  It may be a legitimate marketing activity, or the Bad Guys may have created a fake contest just to steal your information.

Likewise, if a sweeps leads to a ton of pop-ups, asks you to install or update anything to participate, or just seems kind of sketchy, close the window.  Do not click submit.  If it asks you to "participate in sponsor offers," run away.  If there is no linked privacy policy, don't trust them with your info.

If you need to create an account to enter a sweepstakes, look at what information it wants for registration.  It should need no more than name, address, and e-mail.  It may have verbiage that "We require a phone number for winner verification."  If it does, double check ALL fine print to ensure that is the ONLY permission you are giving.  Daily or weekly sweepstakes may require registration for easy re-entry.  A "one-entry only" contest should NOT require registration.  Avoid registrations that require security questions, unless you are registering for the site itself and not merely the contest.

For example, Disney Movie Rewards requires that you register for DMR itself before participating in any contests or sweeps.  I have personally cashed in rewards for several Funko Pops and a few DVDS. I have also won prizes in 3 different DMR sweeps over the years.  Yes, I get marketing info from Disney, but I also get points and prizes.  I like participating in DMR.  The now over Chiquita Minions game required registration, as they included digital prizes.  I won a mobile wallpaper, which I never redeemed, and a Minion Water Bottle, which now lives in my Beach Bag.  I opted out of the newsletter after the first issue.

Conversely, I did Kellogg's Rewards (KFR) for like 5 years.  At the end of that time, I had suffered through WAY too much marketing junk, and only had enough points for a reusable grocery tote, something worth about a buck.  I no longer do KFR.  It's simply not worth my time for what I get back.

There are also a few companies who run sweepstakes and contests for others.   Eprize/Hello World is one of the bigger players here.  If eprize is a part of the URL, you know it is a safe sweepstakes.

Likewise, there are several popular "widgets" that sites can use on pages or blog posts.  Check the policy policy of each individual widget, and click through to the widget-creator's site if you have NOT registered with that particular widget before.  Remember, the privacy policies of BOTH the site using the widget AND the site offering the widget apply.  If you have already entered a contest using the same widget-provider, they already have your information. There is no further harm.  Sites use these widgets so the entrant can be sure a link will NOT lead to malware, rogue app connections, etc.  It also helps ensure a winner is selected by a third-party, so the contest cannot be "stacked."  These widgets are used to help ensure an entrant that the giveaway is legit.

Sweepstakes vs. Contests

Although you'll often find these terms used interchangeably, technically, there is a difference.  A sweepstakes is a random drawing, with no skill component involved.  (Except in Canada, a skill is required for a sweepstakes too, so you'll often see an easy math question for Canadians on an entry form.) A contest is not necessarily a random drawing.  There may be some sort of "skill" requirement, like a caption, photo, or essay.  Winners are selected according to a set of criteria and/or by judges.  You may need to enter a photo to enter a sweepstakes, but the BEST photo might not be the winner.  With a contest, the BEST photo wins the prize.

Tobacco Companies

In my experience, tobacco companies have the best prizes.  But they also have the most stringent registration requirements.  Tobacco companies are subject to tight regulation, and they MUST collect information to verify your information is legit.  They are prohibited from encouraging smoking, as well as from ANY communications with minors.  Most require that you be a current tobacco user to qualify for registration.

Because of this, they DO require verifiable information at registration.  This may include your social security number and driver's license.  You may need to be "accepted" before you can enter, especially if you are not registered with any of their "affiliate" companies.  But once you register for one RJ Reynolds brand, you can usually register easily at the others.  This is true for all the major players.

Because the advertising tobacco companies are allowed to do is very limited, they spend most of their advertising budget on promotions.  This is why they offer such great sweepstakes and contests. You need to share enough information that your identity could be stolen in order to register.  Believe it or not, if you're at the REAL tobacco company's site, you're safe giving them this.  Again, they not only need to prove to the Feds they verified your info, they also need to keep it safe, under dire penalties.  

But because you need to give them this type of data, you must be EXTRA careful that you are at the OFFICIAL site, or using the OFFICIAL app.  The Bad Guys LOVE to pretend to be tobacco companies BECAUSE people know they need to give up this info to register.  Spend some time poking around the outside of site, and reverse-google it to ensure you're not at a clone before attempting to register.  And be aware that most of the tobacco companies are barred from using Social Media for the same reasons they can't run TV ads.  Marlboro does NOT have Facebook or Twitter.

Freebies

The rules are the same for freebies and giveaways as they are for contests and sweepstakes.  You need to ensure a site is legit before giving them your information.  You also need to limit what information you share.

The 90s and 00s were a great time for internet freebies.  Back then, folks just cared about getting hits.  They were not as concerned with converting those clicks to business returns.  Then the "giants" started falling.  "Blue Chip" sites, like drugstore.com, pets.com, etc. started going under.  Freebies became fewer and farther between.  P&G used to let members request Secret samples quarterly,  Then they realized too many of us had replaced buying Secret with requesting our quarterly samples. (Guilty here!)  They cut off that gravy train and changed to quarterly coupons.

The Bad Guys sat back and watched.  As the legit freebies waned, the scam freebies exploded.  A common tactic was to clone some poor small business' web site, add a freebie offer, and mine data.  When the freebies don't come, the entrants slam the real business on the internet while the scammers are off selling your info. This still proliferates the web today.

Before requesting a sample, evaluate the website.  If it looks like a little guy, and they do not say "limited to xxx participants," chances are that freebie will never arrive, but you cannot get your info back. If the giveaway is not related to their product in any way, scrutinize the site before completing the form.  Think about WHY that site would offer a particular freebie.  If you can't see a marketing benefit to them, chances are it's not a legitimate offer.

NEVER give any credit or debit card information for a contest.  If a "free" offer requires ANY payment information, chances are there is a shipping charge.  Be careful you are NOT signing up for any subscription plan when you accept a sample or freebie.  Again, READ THE FINE PRINT!!  And then read the fine print again.  If you enroll in a free trial in exchange for an entry or sample, set a reminder on your calendar to cancel before the trial expires.  (Some offers require you maintain service for x days of the trial to be eligible to receive the "gift.")

I get a lot of free samples, logo t-shirts, water bottles, and baseball hats. I get at least a half a dozen magazines for free, many of which I pass on to vacationers who happen to be passing by as I'm getting my mail.  But I've learned to not answer phone calls I don't recognize, and I invested in a talking caller ID box.  I also get a lot of junk mail, enough that I need the large recycling bin.  I am more willing to share my info with advertisers for a full sized something than for a small packet of shampoo. Food samples I can't use, the local Food Bank can.  Same for toothpaste samples, razors, etc.    But I am aware that an increase in marketing garbage IS a price of sweepsing as a hobby, no matter how you slice it.

Like Farming Scams

These are the latest iteration of the Internet Snake Oil Salesman.  A new page pops up, offering some vague prize for "liking" and "sharing" a post.  Often, you must click on a link in the "original post" for your entry to "count."  You think "What's the harm of tagging 3 friends...I might really win a surplus RV."  I refer you back to the first, second, and third articles in this series for the answer to that. They share dangers with quizzes, and all that other shady Social Media stuff. They want your friends lists, and they want your info.  Wonder why you and your friends are getting tagged in all of those "Cheap Oakley Sunglasses" posts?  THAT is the harm of those like-farming scams.

Those posts saying you need to click on a link?  They may be surreptitiously connecting, but hiding the permissions.  They may be installing malware on your system when you click on that  shortened link.  They may be looking to clone your account.  

Are there legitimate Facebook post contests?  Sure!  However, those are the ones that say "like this post and comment, and we'll reply to the winner..." I've been playing Amazon Comment Sweepstakes for several years now.  Last week, I finally won a Soniccare Toothbrush.  I also play Funko post sweeps daily.

How do you tell the difference?  Well, I look at how long the page has been up.  I look for a completed "About" section and contact information.  I look for links to websites, twitter, and other social media.  I make sure there is content OTHER than contests, and that there are completed contests already on the page.  I look for comments from visitors related to receiving their winnings.  And if it purports to be Sharpie, Disney, Delta, etc., I look for that checkmark by the profile photo, as well as links to the CORRECT website.  If the url for the "We're giving away Sharpies" leads to sharpie.dgdfn.com, I recognize that it is the part BEFORE the dot com that tells me the domain.  If it's fddg.sharpie.com, that's okay.  If it's ghfyf.sharpie.haha.com, it goes to haha.com, rather than sharpie.

And, by the way, REQUIRING one to like or share a particular post is against the Facebook ToS for running contests on their site.  You can ask  for a visit, a comment or like on a post.  You cannot require tags or shares though.  

Are there Guidelines for Sweepstakes and Freebies?

Like I learned early on, once your information is out, you cannot get it back.  Despite the fact I've moved states away and scrubbed that e-mail address, I still am haunted by my earlier nonchalance about my personal data.  My cell phone still has a Maryland number; I laugh when they call saying they're in my area, and can they show me windows/security systems/etc.  I ask them what street they are on, and then in which zip code.  Then I ask them if they'll cross a bridge and several state lines.  When I finally tell them I've been in Florida for over a decade, they get miffed at me for wasting their time.

I no longer recommend using a separate e-mail address for sweepsing, unless you are diligent about checking that address daily.  Often, you have a short window (24-48 hours) to respond to a winning notification.  If you fail to respond, you forfeit the prize.  AND the e-mail you respond from MUST match the one used for entry, which is why you cannot use an alias for sweepsing. If it's a prize large enough to require declaring to the IRS, you'll likely get something via registered or certified postal mail. They may also call and leave a voice mail  Freebie requests often require confirmation clicks to validate an e-mail. As long as you watch for those after submitting a freebie request, you are fine using a separate e-mail.

I dream of the day I get a prize notification via registered mail.  I only know of the process via luckier sweepsers than I.  I have had to fax back identification and tax info.  Victoria's Secret wanted my SSN before they'd issue me my personalized jersey prize.

You need to recognize that an increase in marketing e-mail IS a cost of entering sweepstakes for a hobby.  Be judicious about whom you agree to receive information from.  And learn how to use filters and your delete key to help keep your inbox under control.  Stick with the players who have huge marketing budgets when it comes to bigger prizes.  And remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Is Entering Contests and Sweepstakes Worth My Time?

That is up to you.  I tend to sweeps in spurts.  I bookmark my current daily contests and IWGs in a separate Bookmarks folder.  I am a TV addict, so I use commercial breaks and my laptop to play the contests and sweepstakes. I use Roboform to make the process even easier.  I enter Publishers Clearinghouse online, every so often, so there IS a chance they'll ring my bell with balloons and a huge check..

I also seem to go through lucky streaks and deserts. Most of my Holiday Gifts in 2015 were sweepstakes prizes.  My best prize was probably the gold coin.  I have won hundreds of dollars in Gift Cards, several Bluetooth speakers, countless pairs of earbuds, and a nicer pair of headphones than I could ever afford on my own.  I have won iTunes Codes (which usually go to my Nephew,) Google Play Credit, and Amazon money. I have won enough t-shirts, I can sleep in a different one each night and not do laundry for 2.5 weeks.  I won a wet suit in a Twitter contest. My best friend got a really cool SoBe jacket for his birthday that was too large for me. I've given away at least 7 Zippos and 3 Leatherman tools, and I still have a couple left.  I've been in a real dry spell lately, up until the toothbrush win, but I've also been slacking on my entering.

I most certainly feel like sweepsing is worth my time, or I wouldn't do it.  I am not as obsessive as I used to be about entering.  I enter as time allows.  I tend to play more IWGs and sweepstakes than contests. And notice, I refer to it as "playing." If you take it too seriously, you'll start bumming when the wins don't come. 

I only enter Facebook Post sweeps from pages I follow.  I don't spam my Facebook friends with contest shares, but my personal Twitter (@laurelnev) is pretty much sweeps, giveaways, and TV.  I follow several sweepsing-types on Twitter, but unfollow if they share too many sketchy sweepstakes.  I get a lot of my own leads from Twitter and the e-mails I subscribe to at entry. I get others from the many sweepsing sites in cyberspace. (Plug to my friend's excellent site Reviewz & Newz.)  I probably only continue to receive the monthly Bon Mamon e-mail so I can enter the monthly sweepstakes.  (I won Justin's nut butter, jam, an apron, and a t-shirt from one of their monthly sweeps.)  I also follow several freebie/sweepstakes sharing pages on Facebook, using similar criteria.  I'd rather play sweeps and IWGs than Facebook games any day.

Do You Play the Sweepstakes?

Do you play the sweepstakes?  Do you follow the guidelines talked about in the article?  Do you have any other hints, tips, or cautions for our readers?  Do you have favorite Sweepstakes sites?  Sites you register with just to play the sweeps?  Questions about playing sweepstakes, facebook commenting, etc.? Let us know, either in the comments section, or on Facebook or Twitter.