With the rise of online shopping and survey taking, rewards websites like MyPoints.com have become increasingly popular. They promise users the chance to earn points and get cash back for everyday online activities. But are these sites truly rewarding users or scamming them?
In this MyPoints.com review report, we’ll take an in-depth look at MyPoints to determine if it’s a legitimate rewards program or an untrustworthy scam.
Overview: What is MyPoints?
Founded in 1996, MyPoints.com is one of the oldest and most well-established rewards sites on the web. It allows members to earn points known as “MyPoints” for activities like:
- Taking surveys
- Shopping online
- Playing games
- Watching videos
- Printing coupons
- Referring friends
These points can then be redeemed for gift cards, travel miles, sweepstakes entries, or cash rewards.
MyPoints is owned and operated by Prodege LLC, the same company behind popular rewards sites Swagbucks and InboxDollars. It boasts over 10 million members.
So at first glance, MyPoints appears to be a legitimate way to earn some extra money in your spare time. But let’s dig deeper to look for signs it’s a scam or ripoff.
Signs MyPoints.com is Legitimate
So, Is Mypoints.com legit or scam? There are several indications that MyPoints is a legitimate rewards program, not a scam designed to steal your money or information.
1. Longstanding Company History
As mentioned, MyPoints has been in business since 1996. That’s over 25 years of operation, making it one of the oldest and most established rewards sites.
Scam websites tend to come and go fairly quickly once people catch on. The fact that MyPoints has maintained such longevity suggests it’s providing a real service and satisfying members.
2. Positive Online Reviews
MyPoints has overwhelmingly positive reviews from members online:
- Trustpilot – 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 20,000+ reviews
- SiteJabber – 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 1,000+ reviews
The vast majority of reviewers confirm they’ve received gift cards and cash rewards as promised for completing activities on the site.
While no company is perfect, this indicates MyPoints is fulfilling rewards for most users. Scam sites tend to have much more negative feedback from people claiming they never received payouts.
3. Owned by Legitimate Parent Company
As mentioned earlier, MyPoints.com is owned by Prodege LLC. This is a large Internet media company that also owns and operates Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and other popular rewards platforms.
Prodege would have too much to lose reputation-wise by scamming users with one of its rewards sites. The fact that MyPoints is run by an established parent company adds legitimacy.
4. Transparent About Earnings/Rewards
MyPoints clearly explains how you can earn points through its various activities. For example:
- Take a 5 minute survey, earn 35 points
- Shop online at Walmart.com, earn 8 points per $1 spent
- Refer a friend, earn 500 points
It provides upfront information about points earnings so you know what to expect.
The site is also transparent about redemption options. You can clearly see how many points are needed for each gift card denomination or cash reward.
Scam sites typically hide information about earnings and rewards, forcing users to jump through hoops only to find out they’ve wasted their time.
5. Hundreds of Positive YouTube Reviews
There are countless YouTube videos where people share their experiences using MyPoints.com and show proof of the rewards they earned.
For example, popular YouTuber WhoIsMatt has an in-depth video showing how he earned a $10 Amazon gift card after using the site for just a few days.
The prevalence of authentic video reviews from real users provides strong evidence that the rewards advertised on MyPoints can be achieved.
6. Active on Social Media Since 2009
MyPoints has consistently maintained active Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube profiles since 2009. These are updated almost daily.
This long-running social media presence shows MyPoints is invested in growing its user base and keeping members engaged, not trying to take their money and run.
Most scam rewards sites don’t bother with social media or abandon their accounts quickly once people realize they don’t pay out.
7. Member of Trusted Industry Organizations
MyPoints.com is an active member of the Word of Trust (WOT) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
WOT works to make the web more trustworthy by analyzing millions of websites. The BBB provides unbiased business reviews and dispute resolution services.
Membership in these reputable organizations demonstrates MyPoints.com commitment to trustworthiness. Scam sites avoid joining organizations that promote transparency.
8. Addresses Customer Complaints
No business is perfect. Even legitimate rewards sites like MyPoints sometimes have dissatisfied customers.
The difference is scam sites ignore complaints, while MyPoints actively works to address them.
The company responds to negative reviews on Trustpilot and SiteJabber, encouraging users to contact them so they can investigate any issues. This suggests good faith to keep customers happy.
9. Clear Privacy Policy
MyPoints has a detailed 4,700+ word privacy policy that discloses exactly what data is collected and how it is used. Key points include:
- They collect personal info like name, address, and demographic data to deliver personalized offers from advertisers.
- They use cookies and tracking technologies to understand how the site is used and target ads.
- Info may be shared with third party advertisers and rewards partners to provide services.
- You can opt-out of data collection for ads by contacting them.
The transparency about data practices indicates MyPoints is not trying to secretly steal and sell your info, a common scam site tactic. Users know what they are signing up for.
10. No Credit Card Required
You can sign up and participate in most activities on MyPoints without ever providing your credit card details. Paid survey sites that demand credit card info right away are much riskier.
The fact that you aren’t required to hand over sensitive financial information in order to earn points is a good sign MyPoints is operating honestly.
Potential Signs MyPoints.com is a Scam
Now that we’ve assessed evidence MyPoints is legitimate, let’s look at a few potential warning signs of a scam that some customers have pointed out.
1. Many Ways to Earn, But Most Have Low Payout
With so many options to earn points, the site seems great on the surface. But fine print shows most activities pay very little.
For example, you might spend 30 minutes on a survey for just 70 points, or watch 10 videos for 5 points. The many options are misleading when payouts are miniscule.
2. Some Features Like Games Cost Money
Parts of the site like games and contests require you to spend your own money for the chance to earn points. This cuts into profits significantly.
And while you can earn points for referring friends, you have no control over whether they actively participate. You could get nothing.
3. Complaints of Disqualifications and Denied Credit
Some reviews claim MyPoints disqualifies users randomly from surveys and denies them points unfairly. There are also complaints about points earned from shopping purchases not being properly credited.
However, this seems to happen on most paid survey and cashback sites. It may be an indication MyPoints.com systems are overly strict rather than an outright scam.
4. High Redemption Minimums/Low Value
Depending on the reward, you may have to earn hundreds or thousands of points to redeem gifts cards or cash. When points are earned slowly, redemption seems unattainable.
And due to fluctuating exchange rates, each point ends up being worth less than 1 cent. You have to cash in a lot for worthwhile rewards.
5. Bad Customer Service
There are some complaints about difficulties contacting MyPoints.com customer service to resolve issues and delayed responses. This can be frustrating if points are missing or you experience disqualifications.
However, the site does provide an email contact form and help center, which is more than many paid survey sites offer. So this may not necessarily indicate a scam.
6. Must Provide Personal Information
To maximize earnings, you need to complete detailed profile questionnaires and verify your identity. This involves sharing info like phone numbers and mailing addresses.
MyPoints.com claims this is so they can match you with tailored offers. But it raises privacy concerns since scam sites also ask for personal data.
7. Hidden Fees for Certain Offers
While joining the site is free, some special offers used to earn bonus points require you to spend money to sign up for third-party services. These fees aren’t always made clear upfront.
For example, you may have to pay a monthly subscription for a service advertised as “free to join.” This allows MyPoints to benefit from referrals while users get stuck with recurring fees.
Final Verdict: Is MyPoints Legit or Scam?
After extensive research into all aspects of MyPoints and thorough analysis of key indicators, we can definitively conclude that MyPoints is a legitimate rewards site, not a scam.
There are simply too many signs it’s a real program providing actual value to members, including:
- 25+ years of business history
- Positive reviews from thousands of users
- Owned by reputable parent company
- Transparency about earnings and rewards
- Presence on social media since 2009
- Addresses customer complaints
- Privacy policy discloses data practices
This suggests the vast majority of members are able to earn points and redeem real rewards by participating on MyPoints. While no company is perfect, MyPoints is fulfilling its core promise.
However, users should employ some caution when using the site. Some activities truthfully pay very little and the redemption process for popular rewards can be tedious. And there are customer service issues the company could improve.
But MyPoints ultimately appears far from a scam. With prudent use focused on higher value activities, members can earn legitimate rewards over time. Just have realistic expectations about how quickly rewards can be earned to avoid discouragement.
How to Safely Earn Rewards from MyPoints
Here are some tips to safely maximize legitimate rewards earned from MyPoints:
Stick to higher paying activities – Focus your time on surveys, online shopping via the portal, and special offers rather than videos or games. Check reward rates before participating.
Install browser extensions – Tools like MyPoints Score can automatically apply coupon codes and cashback when you shop online. This requires minimal effort to boost earnings.
Take advantage of bonuses – Redeem point perks, complete special challenges, win sweepstakes entries, and fill out your member profile fully to get bonus points. These add up.
Watch for “money maker” offers – Sometimes special deals pay out more cash than they cost to complete. Sign up for free trials of services when MyPoints overpays as these are low risk.
Cash out small amounts frequently – Don’t save up a large balance. Cash out for $5 or $10 gift cards as soon as you have enough points to ensure your rewards are processed properly.
Use a dedicated email – Sign up with an email you don’t mind receiving advertisements on. Never give your primary or work email.
Browse anonymously – Use a VPN and privacy-focused browser like Brave to keep your information more secure. Don’t share personal details MyPoints doesn’t need.
Link a virtual debit card – If linking a payment method, use a disposable virtual card from Capital One Eno or Privacy. This protects your real card number.
Common Rewards Scams to Avoid
While MyPoints.com is legitimate, many other rewards websites operate unethically as complete scams. Here are some of the most common tactics to watch out for:
Fake review sites – Scam sites like Paid2play, HappyTube, TheReviewerProgram, Lam App, GoNift, etc., post 5 star reviews everywhere under different names to appear legit. But no one is getting paid. Real review sites show a mix of ratings.
Impossible earnings claims – Sites that claim you can make $5,000 a week taking surveys are clearly scams. Legit rewards earnings will range from $5 to $50 per month for most members.
Account freezing – Shady sites let you earn points up to the redemption threshold before freezing your account and refusing to pay out rewards.
Hidden fees – Deceptive sites have tiny disclaimers in their terms stating you must pay monthly membership fees. Or you have to purchase something to unlock rewards.
Unsubscribing difficulties – Scam outfits make it extremely difficult to close your account so hidden recurring fees continue being charged.
Credit card/SSN required – No legit rewards site will demand you enter a Social Security number or upload a credit card immediately. This is done to enable fraudulent charges.
No customer service – If a site has zero way to contact them with issues, it’s definitely a scam. Their goal is to provide no support.
Conclusion
MyPoints.com has successfully operated since 1996 by providing a legitimate means for millions of members to earn rewards online. While users should exercise some caution when participating, the site’s longevity, transparency, policies, and reviews indicate MyPoints predominantly pays members as promised.
By focusing your time on the highest value activities, using privacy tools, and redeeming frequently, most users should be able to safely earn extra gift cards and cash from MyPoints.com. Just be realistic with earnings estimates and redemption periods.
Hopefully this detailed Mypoints.com review analysis has provided the definitive guide on whether MyPoints is a legitimate rewards program or untrustworthy scam. While scams abound in the online space, MyPoints.com appears to be rewarding members fairly for the vast majority.
