Before you join any survey panel, make sure you're dealing with a legitimate company that will pay you for your participation.

Participating in online paid surveys is a great way to influence the world and share your opinion while also getting rewarded for your insights. There are so many different way to participate in these types of opportunities online, but not all sites and apps are created equal, and it's essential you know what to look out for to be sure you're dealing with a reputable company that will keep your personal information safe, and pay you what you're owed when it's time to cash out.

Read The Privacy Policy

When you register an account with any website, and are asked for personal information, take time to read through the Privacy Policy to understand not only how your data will be stored and secured, but also how it will be retained if you ever wish to delete your account.

Security Is Important

Any website that collects personal information should use be secured by a valid SSL certificate. Ensure that the website's URL starts with "https://" instead of "http://". The "s" stands for secure and indicates that the website is using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption.

Read Online Reviews

Review sites can be helpful, but sometimes they are owned and managed by companies that earn commissions for sending referrals to specific survey sites. These types of sites often have long and oddly specific URLs. It's best to check the reviews at independent sites such as TrustPilot.

Find Their Dedicated Support Center

Any survey site that pays its members must have a dedicated support staff that can help if any issues arise with credit for surveys or payments. A frequently asked questions page should be easy to find, as well as an email address or contact form to reach an agent.