Flash Rewards – How to Avoid Getting Scammed

Flash Rewards – How to Avoid Getting Scammed

Flash Rewards is a free get-paid-to-application. It helps you to earn gift cards from companies like eBay, Walmart, and Amazon. You earn money by playing the games that the app offers. The coins earned get redeemed for gift cards from popular e-commerce services.

Apart from paying you for installing the app, flash rewards also pay you for playing it. The more you play, the more you earn. There are three processes for earning rewards:

  1. Signing up. You create a profile after signing up. Then you’re required to answer questions based on the deals presented. You can then decide to earn a gift card from Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and visa. After selecting a card, you’re expected to give your personal information. You give details such as your full name, email, and residential address, and gender. They use personal information to match you with more relevant offers.
  2. Discovering offers. This is the step where you’re presented with many offers or deals. They include signing up, playing games, installing mobile apps, and subscribing to products. The more offers you complete, the more rewards you get. Flash rewards have two options for incentives. There’s tier 1 and tier 2. Tier 1 gives you four offers which you’ll have to complete to get a reward of $100. Tier 2 incentives will earn you more than $100.
  3. Redeem Points. This step allows you to redeem your rewards depending on your incentive tier. But, it happens after the completion of either four or ten deals within 24 hours.

So how do you avoid getting scammed and enjoy the benefits that come with flash rewards? Let’s get into that discussion.

Measures to Take to Avoid Getting Scammed

  1. Use a Proxy Server

    Proxies act as an intermediary between you and the internet. A proxy server browses the web on behalf of your device. When using it, requested traffic flows through the server before reaching its destination.

    There are different types of proxies but residential proxies are the most preferred. Using a residential proxy is the best and safest option. It guarantees you complete privacy in your online activities. It also protects your private data from getting stolen by unethical hackers.

    With the use of a residential proxy, you get to use a completely legitimate IP address from real ISPs. The IP is completely hidden and you get to appear as a different yet completely normal user. So you get to enjoy anonymity and evade online marketers.

    Residential Proxy

  2. Privacy and Security Concerns

    Flash rewards demand that you share important personal information. That information is likely to get shared with third parties for marketing purposes. You have the right to unsubscribe and delete your personal information. This can get done by contacting each company.

    Supposing you’d like to continue, focus on the free trials of the subscription. Ensure they credit even if you don’t keep the service active after trials.

    Avoid spending money on the offers since there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive the money.

  3. Use Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)

    HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. It’s the primary protocol used to send data between a client’s web browser and the online store. HTTPS encrypts the data to protect sensitive information. Such as the client’s name, address, and credit card number.

    Using HTTPS prevents an online store from having its transactions broadcasted. Meaning that the data cannot get viewed by fraudsters. To use HTTPS, you’ll need to buy an SSL certificate.

    Apart from using HTTPS, check if the company’s name is in the URL. That will help you know if the company operates the site or not. Not all technology allows the display of identity information in the address bar. Regardless, that isn’t 100 percent foolproof.

  4. Knowledge is Power

    It is worth noting that the internet is full of good and bad opportunities. And scammers are always trying to take advantage of less knowledgeable people. Scammers are getting more sophisticated. This has increased the number of attacks on web stores over the recent past.

    Online stores have also become more sophisticated in detecting and deterring scammers.

    It’s important to learn and understand what e-commerce fraud is and why it’s prevalent. This applies to both individuals and businesses. This way, you become empowered enough to avoid getting scammed.

  5. Too Good to be True?

    The promise of rewards or luxuries beyond your wildest dreams should be a red flag. Unfortunately, it has been and continues to be a successful fraud practice. Fake e-commerce sites promote offers that are too good to be true. They put out great sales

    For instance, are they selling tablets at a great discounted price? Is a health product’s website promising large muscles or extreme weight loss in two weeks?

    You can’t go wrong by assuming that something too good to be true is not true. Remember the mantra. “If it’s too good to be true then it probably is.”

  6. Audit Your Security Often

    You need to be vigilant to detect e-commerce fraud. Audit your security to ensure there are no cracks a cybercriminal can exploit.

    Ensure your passwords and login details are of significant strength. They should also get changed now and then. Get good antivirus software that checks for malware. It’s also safe to avoid trusting everyone with private and sensitive information.

    Online stores should put in place e-commerce security basics. This includes:

    • Privacy. It includes preventing activities that might lead to the sharing of client’s data. Breach of confidentiality occurs when stores let others have access to clients’ data.

    • Integrity. Ensuring that any information shared by a client remains unaltered.

    • Authentication. This is when the company proves that it’s real. That it deals with genuine items or services and delivers as promised. Clients should also give proof of their identity.

    • Non-repudiation. Repudiation means denial. Non-repudiation is a legal principle. It instructs players not to deny their actions in a transaction. Companies and their clients should follow through on the transaction part they initiated.

  7. Make Sure Your Site is PCI Compliant

    PCI stands for “Payment Card Industry.” So if you operate an online store that accepts credit card payments, ensure you’re PCI compliant. PCI standards for compliance get developed and managed by PCI Security Standards Council. It ensures the security of credit card transactions in the payments industry.

    PCI compliance means your online store and business processes meet PCI standards. Operating a SaaS-based e-commerce store means that your platform provides this compliance.

Key Takeaway

Due to the possibility of getting scammed, carry out due diligence when it comes to flash rewards. Check whether the options offered are worth the amount of money you’re likely to spend. This is despite the lucrative options of flash rewards.

Note that subscriptions are not considered when bought then canceled within 24 hours.

This information on flash rewards should help you make an informed decision. Don’t hesitate to share it with those who might benefit from it.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

Flash Rewards – How to Avoid Getting Scammed