Is This Free Sample Legitimate or a Scam?

At Free.ca we search and post free samples every day, so naturally, we come across a few “fake” free samples on Facebook, websites and other freebie sites.

A lot of our fans have asked us how we know if a sample is real or a scam. To make sure that everything we post is a real offer, we go through a few steps to make sure that it is a true freebie first.

Before we share samples on our site, we fill in everything to make sure it is working and get a clear picture of the ordering process. This helps us to make sure that everything is up to date and our fans know what is involved to get the offer.

It can be hard to tell whether a sample is real or a scam at times, so here are some tips to help you figure out whether you have a real or fake offer.

Start With The Website

The first thing you want to be mindful of is the site itself. Here are some things to look out for, and some questions to ask yourself when looking at the site.

• The URL is not "https" (secure), but it "http"
• Is the URL the company's webpage?
• Are there links to social media accounts?
• The site only has one page, the page for the free sample and there are no other pages with information and/or products

Social Media Red Flags

When you first find a sample, it’s always good to take a look at their website, Facebook page and other social media platforms they are using.

This will give you an idea of how large of a company they are, how many fans or followers they have and what level of support they provide. Generally, if it is a Facebook page or Twitter account with only a few thousand fans, we won’t post their sample as they likely won’t have enough for everyone.

Generally, a website should have links to their social media profiles.

Look for Company Info

A major red flag is if you can’t find any information about the company.

If the company doesn’t have its own website, this is generally a warning sign. If the company is giving away a sample and doesn’t have a site to sell the product, tell you where to buy it or give more information about it, this is definitely a warning sign.

Red Flag: No Contact Information

Like the website info, you should be very sceptical if there is no contact information.

You should be able to track down phone numbers, an address, terms, and conditions, privacy policy and shipping information from reputable companies. If you can’t find any contact info then that is a red flag.

Use Google

When in doubt Google it.

Often the freebie community will try and post when there is a fake sample out there so this is always a great resource to get other people’s feedback about the sample. Also, Google can help you find out more information on a company.

Use Common Sense

If an unknown company is promising a limited number of high-value items (and it’s not a draw), avoid filling out the form because they could be just trying to gather people’s information and not send out anything.

The best kind of samples out there are from big brands that you know well such as L'Oreal samples, P&G samples, Kellogg's freebies, Poligrip samples, and even Tena sample packs. These are brands that you know you can trust, so if you are ever in doubt about a sample, ask yourself- is the risk worth the rewards?

Don't Give Out Credit Card Info

A free sample should never require you giving your credit card information unless the sample requires payment for shipping is for a free trial of a subscription service.

Even then, you should only give this information to large reputable companies. When we post a sample or free trial offer that requires payment for shipping or a subscription service, we always specify this in the text.

More Freebie Hunting Tips

If you love free stuff (and who doesn't) be sure to check out these other resources on our site!

• How To Get Free Birthday Stuff
• The Best Loyalty Programs in Canada
• Get Free Baby Samples
• How To Get Free Food From Restaurants

What was the best sample that you have ever gotten? Comment your finds below!