Is Upside a Scam?

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

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

What Is Upside?

Upside is a free mobile app that you can use to get cash rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, dining, and gas.

You can browse and claim personalized cash-back offers from popular retailers and restaurants such as Pizza Hut, Burger King, Giant, and Shell. 

After you claim an offer, you shop as usual with your credit/debit card, and the app automatically applies the cash-back rewards.

The app’s cash-back deals can be stacked with credit card rewards but not other discounts (like loyalty programs) if those reduce the cash-back percentage.

It was founded in 2015 in Washington, D.C., by two former Google employees.

Is Upside a Scam?

No, Upside is not a scam. 

It’s a legitimate cash-back app that offers savings on everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and dining. Though it won’t replace a primary income, it’s a free way to earn extra money. 

However, according to a Bankrate review, savings opportunities can be inconsistent, and the app might not be as effective as it sounds. 

The reviewer noted that in his New York suburb, the Upside deals sometimes didn’t match up with local market prices. For example, an offer advertising an 11‑cent discount off a $3.79 per-gallon price turned out to be a station charging $4.69 per gallon, meaning the discount was effectively less valuable or even misleading in that context.

According to a HackerNoon article, Cash App’s personalization may lead to price discrimination, where loyal customers who already make frequent purchases at certain merchants get lower discounts.

A number of users have complained to the Better Business Bureau about issues with cash-back rewards. Users reported delays in receiving their cash back, difficulties in communication with customer support, and confusion over charges related to transactions made through the app. 

A class action lawsuit was filed against Upside, with some users alleging that the company changed the terms of its referral program. 

Reviews of Upside on internet forums are mixed. Some users reported earning hundreds of dollars over time, especially if they drive a lot or combine the app with credit card rewards. Others feel that the gas stations offering Upside deals tend to have higher prices, meaning you might not save much overall.

Upside gets a 4.6 out of 5.0-star (from 391,351 ratings and 10m+ downloads) on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5.0-star rating (from 588,257 ratings) on the App Store. 

Upside is Better Business Bureau accredited and has an “A+” rating. 

Security

Upside has a variety of security measures in place.

Payment data is processed securely by partners like Stripe, so Upside only sees limited card information.

Upside encrypts data at rest using AES-256. Data in transit is secured using TLS 1.2 (or higher).

Employee and contractor access to your data is based on a strict need-to-know and least-privilege model.

Multi-factor authentication is required, and all account activity is logged, monitored, and reviewed.

The app is regularly audited to ensure security.

Upside carries out employee background checks and conducts assessments of third-party partners.

It is ISO/IEC27001 certified, which means it adheres to international standards for managing information security.

The company also says it documents and regularly tests incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans. 

Privacy

Upside’s privacy policy explains the kind of data it collects, why, and with whom it shares it. 

It says it only collects necessary information. 

Upside collects the following personal information: 

• Email address and password for account creation and security.
• Social media identifier if logging in via a social media account.
• Device identifier for fraud monitoring.
• Transaction data, including timestamps, merchant names, amounts, and partial credit card numbers.
• Uploaded receipt images to verify transactions.
• Geolocation data (if enabled) for matching offers and transactions.
• Contact list (if uploaded) for referral bonuses.
• Bank details (last four digits of an account) for direct deposit payouts.
• PayPal login email for PayPal payouts.
• Other voluntarily provided data for customer support, tax reporting, or promotions.

Upside does not sell your personal data.

However, it may share it with third-party service providers, in business transfers, or when legally required.

Upside may use personal data for personalized offers and marketing. Users can opt out of marketing communications at any time.

Users have certain privacy rights and choices. For example, they can access, correct, or request deletion of their personal information. 

So, Should You Use Upside?

Probably.

If you frequently make purchases where Upside operates and are willing to remember to activate offers, it’s worth trying out. 

How to Use Upside Safely

• Ensure device security. Keep your device’s operating system and apps updated. 
• Control app permissions. Only allow necessary permissions (like location for matching nearby offers). 
• Limit additional data sharing. Only provide additional personal data (e.g., contacts for referrals or receipt images) if necessary.
• Verify transactions. Check your transaction history and cash-back rewards for any discrepancies.
• Monitor your Upside account activity. Regularly monitor your Upside account settings and sign-in activity to catch any unusual behavior early.
• Read Upside’s privacy policy. Understand how Upside uses your data and what your rights are regarding data correction or deletion.
• Stay updated. Keep an eye on any changes to Upside’s privacy policy or terms of service (these updates can affect your privacy.