You’ve probably noticed television and radio ads offering a free laptop computer, and like most people, you’re probably wondering if it’s a legitimate offer. After all, how could any company afford to give away a free laptop computer to everyone who signs up? By the same token, how could they advertise this offer if it’s not legitimate? It’s one of those offers that’s presented in a very professional manner, but it sounds too good to be true. My friend recently found out how this offer works and how a particular company offering a free laptop computer can get away with this clever advertising scheme.
Necessary Information
My friend decided to take a chance and sign up for a fabulous free laptop computer. She didn’t have a laptop computer and thought it was worth a try. She really didn’t have anything to lose, and if the requirements for the offer became too risky or the least bit questionable she wouldn’t continue. After entering her zip code, and answering a few other questions, it didn’t take long before she became suspicious of this laptop computer offer.
The site demanded my friend’s social security number, and she entered a social security number, but it wasn’t hers. She entered random numbers, and surprisingly the numbers were immediately accepted. She wouldn’t have entered her real social security number for a dozen laptop computers!
Here Comes the Spam
Fortunately my friend signed up for a free web-based email address before beginning her quest for a free computer. The very day she entered her new email address she received almost 40 new emails offering other free items, and it was an avalanche of spam that continued to grow. If she would have used her regular email address the huge amount of spam that continuously came in would have kept her inbox full.
The Catch
Offers for a free laptop computer come with a lot of fine print, and it’s fine print that clearly says a free laptop computer isn’t a guarantee – even if you jump through all of the hoops. To have a chance to receive a free laptop computer my friend had to sign up for numerous offers that required shipping and handling fees, and this is where she gave up on trying to get a free laptop computer. The site required credit card information, and my friend wasn’t about to go that far for a free computer. It just wasn’t worth the risk or the investment.
Identity theft is on the rise, and although this company probably does give away free laptop computers, they probably don’t give out very many, and giving out highly personal information isn’t worth the gamble. The company can afford to give away a small percentage of free laptop computers from the revenue obtained by those who pay the fees for the required offers. Many people pay, and very few win, and a computer is never promised. Try at your own risk.
