Is Apex Focus Group a Scam?

If you’re thinking of using Apex Focus Group, you need to know: Is Apex Focus Group a scam? 

Below, we explain whether Apex Focus Group is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when using this platform. 

What Is Apex Focus Group?

Apex Focus Group is an aggregator of paid market research opportunities, such as surveys, focus groups, and clinical trials. 

Apex Focus Group does not conduct studies itself but rather connects users with third-party research companies. 

It also doesn’t pay users – the third-party companies offering the opportunity will pay you directly. Payout methods depend on the company but may include PayPal, a check in the mail, or a prepaid debit card. 

Payout schedules also depend on the company behind the opportunity, not Apex Focus Group. 

Users can register with Apex Focus Group for free to receive emails about potential opportunities. 

Apex Focus Group is similar to Survey World, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars. 

Is Apex Focus Group a Scam?

It’s hard to know. 

According to third-party review sites, Apex Focus Group is not a scam. However, most of these sites don’t recommend using Apex Focus Group for finding paid market research opportunities:

• Side Hustle Nation notes that Apex Focus Group uses false scarcity tactics (i.e., “only 3 positions left”) and that estimated hourly rates differ based on which register link you click. It gives Apex Focus Group a rating of 2.0 out of 5.0 stars. 
• The Modest Wallet gives it a rating of 2.1 out of 5.0 stars. 
• Lushdollar gives Apex Focus Group a rating of 0 out of 10. 
• Money Pantry says: “Overall, I would give it a miss.” 

House of Debt review says it’s unclear who is behind Apex Focus Group, but the company seems to have a US office (rented office space) and a Singapore office (which looks like a residential address). 

User reviews about Apex Focus Group are mixed. For example, it gets 2.0 out of 5.0 stars (from 60 reviews) on Trustpilot.

People complain about misleading advertising (rather than highly-paid opportunities, people say they get invitations to complete surveys that reward you with a few cents per minute of your time) and being bombarded with promotional emails and even calls (one person said they had to change their phone number). 

Positive reviews are rare. 

However, one person said they had found a few valid competitions and offers “in between the trash.”

On online forums like Reddit, most people say they’ve yet to be accepted into any survey or other opportunity promoted by Apex Focus Group. 

One user says: “It is pretty much the same for me. For months now Justin litters my inbox with promises of as much as $750, studies to attend in person and online and when I attempt to connect with any, they are no longer open studies or whatever and yet the following few days, I get the same message to hurry and apply.” 

People also say they keep getting emails from “Justin Jones,” with some saying they’re getting about five emails from him per day. 

Others say they’ve unsubscribed but are still receiving emails. 

According to Side Hustle Nation, besides paid focus group emails, Apex Focus Group also sends out affiliate offers, such as car insurance quote services and scammy-looking debt evaluation services. 

Apex Focus Group is not Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited but has an “A-” rating on the BBB site. 

Security

We couldn’t find much information about Apex Focus Group security on its website.

However, the platform does have a section on security in its privacy policy. 

Apex Focus Group says it scans its website regularly for vulnerabilities and performs regular malware scanning. 

It also says it keeps your personal information behind secured networks that are only accessible to a limited number of people with special rights. 

Sensitive and credit card information is encrypted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. 

Weirdly, it says it may store your credit card information for more than 30 days “to expedite future orders, and to automate the billing process.”

There’s no legitimate reason to store your credit card unless you’re purchasing something, which contradicts the site’s stated purpose.

Also, focus group participants don’t place orders.

The language in Apex Focus Group’s privacy policy sounds like it was copied from an e-commerce or subscription business privacy template. 

Privacy

To sign up for Apex Focus Group, you need to provide personal information like your full name, email, gender, birthday, and zip code. 

You also need to answer questions like:

• What smartphone do you own?
• Do you have children?
• What is your current education level?

Privacy policy 

Apex Focus Group explains the kind of data it collects, why, and with whom it shares it in its privacy policy.

We found the privacy policy to be quite short and vague. For example, it says the platform collects the following information:

“When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address or other details to help you with your experience.” 

It would be interesting to know what those other details are.

Apex Focus Group also says the following information may be collected through cookies:

• IP address
• Operating system type and version
• Device type
• Language preferences
• Web browser type
• Email (in a hashed or encrypted form).

It says it uses the information it collects to send you periodic emails “regarding your order or other products and services.” Again, the language (“regarding your order”) is odd, considering we’re talking about a focus group website.

Apex Group may share your data with third parties to provide the website and its features to you, at your request, to comply with legal obligations, with service providers and government agencies, and as otherwise permitted by law.

Apex Focus Group says it does not allow third-party behavioral tracking. 

So, Should You Use Apex Focus Group?

No, we do not recommend using Apex Focus Group.

There are just too many red flags (e.g., numerous user complaints, a vague privacy policy, and complaints about email and phone spam).

Even if you qualify for an opportunity, most people say the pay is extremely low and probably not worth your time. According to third-party sites that specialize in reviewing paid surveys and focus group sites, there are better alternatives out there. 

How to Use Apex Focus Group Safely and Privately

We do not recommend using Apex Focus Group.