Is Swagbucks a Scam? 

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

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

What Is Swagbucks?

Swagbucks is an online platform where you can complete various activities – like watching videos, taking surveys, and playing games – in exchange for points.

Once you have enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash (via PayPal). 

Is Swagbucks a Scam?

No, Swagbucks is not a scam. It’s a legitimate platform where you can earn small amounts of cash to complete surveys and do other online activities. 

According to a review on Side Hustle Nation, Swagbucks is a legit way to make money. However, earnings are modest relative to the time commitment.

This opinion of moderate earnings is reflected on other review sites, including Clark.com. Here, the reviewer noted:

• Extremely low hourly earnings.
• Frustrating survey experiences with high disqualification rates.
• The opportunity cost of spending time on the platform. 
• A heavy dose of advertisements and junk emails.

The Clark.com reviewer spent 21 hours on Swagbucks over two weeks and earned 2,708 points – roughly $27.08, or about $1.29 per hour. 

The Penny Hoarder reviews Swagbucks favorably. 

On Pissed Consumer, Swagbucks gets a 1.8 out of 5.0-star rating (from 669 rated reviews). Users complain about:

• Missing points or not receiving credit for completed surveys and game tasks.
• Points not reflecting on activity pages and problems with rewards not being added to accounts.
• Delays in receiving payments or gift cards even after meeting the required thresholds.
• Promised rewards (like bonus points) not being delivered.
• Account deactivation without a clear explanation. 
• Difficulty reaching a live representative or getting meaningful responses.

On Reddit, the overall sentiment is mixed but leans toward skepticism. Most people agree that Swagbucks is a legitimate site, but many highlight its low payout rates and time-consuming nature. 

Swagbucks gets a 4.5 out of 5.0-star rating (from 326,220 ratings) on Google Play and a 4.4 out of 5.0-star rating (from 139,589 ratings) on the App Store. 

Security

In its privacy policy, Swagbucks says that it maintains “security measures” to protect your information. However, it does not describe these measures in detail. 

On its Google Play page, Swagbucks says it encrypts data in transit and allows you to request that your data be deleted. 

Swagbucks has partnered with the identity verification vendor Persona to verify user identity when they cash out their points. 

According to Swagbucks, Persona will notify you of the kind of information you need to provide. This is usually a government-issued identification and a selfie. Swagbucks also links out to Persona’s security page and privacy policy. 

Privacy 

In its privacy policy, Swagbucks describes the kind of data it collects, for what purposes, and whom it shares it with. 

Swagbucks collects the following information: 

• Personal information: Name, address, email, phone, geo-location, payment details, etc.
• Non-personal information: Data that does not identify you personally.

Swagbucks collects this information directly (e.g., through account registration, surveys, browser extensions) and from third parties. 

It uses this information to provide and improve services (offers, surveys, cashback, etc.), customize the user experience, and deliver targeted offers. It also uses this information for advertising, marketing, analytics, security, fraud prevention, and research. 

Swagbucks may share your information with affiliates, vendors, and trusted third parties (including ad networks and analytics providers).

Swagbucks also warns that content posted publicly may be visible to others and is not protected by this policy. 

The Common Sense Privacy Program gives Swagbucks a “Warning” rating. This means Swagbucks “Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.”

The Common Sense Privacy Program highlights the following concerns:

• Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
• Swagbucks displays personalized advertising. 
• Third parties collect data for their own purposes.
• User information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
• Data profiles are created and used for personalized advertisements.

On the plus side, the Common Sense Privacy Program says that Swagbucks does not rent or sell personal information to third parties. 

So, Should You Use Swagbucks?

Depends.

Swagbucks is a legitimate platform that lets you earn rewards through surveys, watching videos, etc. However, its earnings are modest. 

It might be worth trying if you enjoy completing these kinds of tasks in your spare time and don’t mind the low pay.

Otherwise, you may want to look at other side hustles with a better return on your time investment.

How to Use Swagbucks Safely

• Create a dedicated email (or use a masked one). Use a separate email address for Swagbucks and similar sites to help prevent spam and protect your primary inbox.
• Use a strong, unique password for your Swagbucks account. Always use a unique password for your Swagbucks account, and don’t reuse it elsewhere online. 
• Use the official website/app. Access Swagbucks through the official website or trusted mobile app store to avoid phishing scams or malicious copies.
• Monitor your account: Regularly check your Swagbucks account for any unusual activity. 
• Review Swagbucks’ terms and privacy policies. Read Swagbucks’ privacy policy and terms to understand how your information will be collected and handled.
• Secure your device. Ensure your device is protected with updated antivirus software and a secure network connection.
• Beware of scams. Watch out for unsolicited emails or messages that say they’re from Swagbucks asking for your credentials or personal info.