by Aurora

Created on: February 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

There are myriad websites offering you something seemingly for nothing. Most people would be inclined to dismiss them as scams', cons' and tricks'. However for every cynic who jumps to the conclusion that everyone on the Internet is out to scam you, there are street-wise people who have learnt how to use the information super-highway for maximum, legitimate, effect.

I won't pretend that everyone advertising great deals' and amazing opportunities' on the web is genuine. You only have to look in your spam box to realise how many people there are who are waiting to exploit you as an Internet consumer. Every once in a while though, genuine offers surface that make you realise that the high accessibility of the Internet has some benefits.

I'm talking about referrals for gain. There are websites that will pay you to refer others to their site, both in actual currency and with gifts. One such site that has recently come to my attention, offers users a free digital camera for referring between five and 24 people (no, really! Check it out for yourself - http://CameraForFree.co.uk/index.php?referral=403090 ). Other similar sites offer free iPods, HD Ready TVs, Nintendo Wiis, in short anything a techno-savvy 21st Century Internet surfer may desire but maybe can't afford.

As with most things in life, there is a catch, you see an offer of something for nothing probably is a bit of a con. You are possibly wondering whether these sites are run by charitable billionaires with nothing better to spend their money on. They are not. Well, I don't know that for certain, but there's a clue in the fact that the websites advertise various companies. That's the catch, in signing up to the website you have to complete an offer'. Some of these may cost you money, others needn't cost you a penny. Advertisers are willing to pay top dollar for space on these sites as they hope to entice new customers with the incentive of getting a free gift. Of course, there is no obligation to commit to subscriptions to any of these companies, for example, one may offer you a 14-day free trial of their product or service. By signing up to the free trial you have fulfilled a partial requirement for getting your free camera (or iPod, or TV or whatever), and you are completely at liberty to cancel this trial within the free period.

There are scams on the internet, but if you are careful and know your onions (and don't put your credit card details into anything that you don't trust) there is no reason why you can't benefit from any number of the great deals and interesting opportunities that are there waiting for people like you.

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