When is a freebie offer really free?
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It will also disclose how you're earning the free product or monetary award.  That's where they should describe any referrals or product offers you must satisfy to earn the free product. If you can't view the terms and conditions or the privacy policy without signing up with the Web site, exit the site, pronto. Don't do business with a company that won't tell you what its business practices are.

During the process
Keep an eye out for questionable practices.

"I'd be skeptical if asked for personal information like my Social Security number, credit card number or bank routing number," says Cox. "I would get out of the site immediately."

Naternicola says it should definitely raise a flag if the site asks for credit card information. "That tells you it's going to be charged at some point in the future."

Cox also says to look for the "https" designator in the URL when typing in personally identifiable information. That means the session is secure.

If you're worried about spam, use a new, disposable e-mail address, such as through a Hotmail or Yahoo! account. That way, if you start receiving mounds of unsolicited e-mail, it won't clutter your regular inbox.

Don't think you can sign up for trial offers and then cancel them, or that you can pose as a different person to get extra referrals. Many freebie sites have fraud verification systems in place to catch customers attempting to cheat the site. You will lose your free product if they decide you acted in a deceptive manner.

These sites have many rules that, if broken, cost you your free merchandise. For instance, completing a partner offer through the partner's Web site instead of through the freebie site wouldn't count toward the prize because they can't track the offer completion. You must follow all rules set in the terms and conditions.

If you decide to cancel your membership with a site, ask that they delete your personal information and take you off their marketing list.

Signs of a rip-off:

• Offer includes a request for credit card or bank account information or your Social Security number. • No one answers or returns your phone call. • The survey research company tries to sell or promote a product. • The survey research company wants you to pay anything -- even if it's just to sign up.

Where to report foul play
If you feel you've been mistreated, first complain to the company. If that doesn't work, tell the authorities. The more the better, says Naternicola. The more places you complain to, the better chance you have of something actually getting done.

Some places to file a complaint:

• Federal Trade Commission -- you can call (877) FTC-HELP or (877) 382-4357 toll-free, or fill out the complaint form on the FTC's Web site. • Better Business Bureau. • Internet Crime Complaint Center. • State attorney general's office. • The trust seal's Web site. • Industry trade groups listed on the company's Web site.

If you need the company's location to file a complaint and its Web site does not provide an address, you can find out where it is based by using the Web site Whois.net.