How to Avoid Reward App Scams: Red Flags & What to Look For

Are Reward Apps Scams?

Most aren't, but some are. The reward app industry is legitimate—companies spend billions on user acquisition, and reward apps help you capture some of that value. But like any industry where money changes hands, scammers exist.

Here's how to tell the difference.

The 10 Biggest Red Flags

1. Unrealistic Earning Claims

Scam Sign: "Earn $500/day playing games!"

Reality: Legitimate apps pay $50-300/month for regular use. Anyone promising $500/day is lying.

What Legit Apps Say: "Earn extra money" or "Make $50-300/month with regular play"

2. Payment Required to Join or Cash Out

Scam Sign: "Pay $5 to unlock withdrawals" or "Premium membership required to cash out"

Reality: Legitimate reward apps are 100% free. You should never pay money to earn money.

What Legit Apps Do: Free to download, free to use, free to cash out

3. Extremely High Cashout Minimums

Scam Sign: $50-100 minimum to withdraw

Reality: High minimums are designed so you give up before reaching them. The company keeps your "earnings."

What Legit Apps Offer: $1-10 minimums (ggbucks: $1)

4. Not in Official App Stores

Scam Sign: "Download from our website" or APK file required

Reality: If an app can't pass Apple or Google's review process, there's a reason.

What Legit Apps Do: Available in Apple App Store and Google Play Store

5. No Company Information

Scam Sign: No about page, no contact info, no privacy policy

Reality: Legitimate companies are transparent about who they are.

What Legit Apps Have: Clear contact information, privacy policy, terms of service

6. Requests for Sensitive Information

Scam Sign: Asking for your Social Security number, bank account, or passwords

Reality: Reward apps only need email and payment method (PayPal email, etc.)

What Legit Apps Ask: Email, display name, payment email for cashouts

7. Reviews Look Fake

Scam Sign: All 5-star reviews with generic text, posted at similar times

Reality: Real apps have mixed reviews—some complaints are normal.

What Legit Apps Have: Mix of positive and negative reviews, specific user experiences

8. Earnings Mysteriously Disappear

Scam Sign: Points reset, "technical issues" lose your balance, or arbitrary account closures

Reality: Legitimate apps have stable balances and clear terms for account issues.

What Legit Apps Do: Points stay in your account until you cash them out

9. Impossible to Cash Out

Scam Sign: Endless verification loops, constantly changing requirements, "your reward is being processed" forever

Reality: Legitimate apps process payouts in minutes to days, not weeks.

What Legit Apps Offer: Clear cashout process, tracking, and customer support

10. Too Good to Be True Offers

Scam Sign: "Watch one video, earn $50!" or "Get $100 just for signing up!"

Reality: If the economics don't make sense, it's a scam.

What Legit Apps Offer: Reasonable payouts like $0.50-5 per game, $0.25-2 per survey

How Scam Apps Make Money

Understanding their game helps you avoid them:

Data Harvesting

Some fake apps collect your personal information to sell to data brokers or use for identity theft.

Ad Fraud

They show you ads, earn money from advertisers, but never pay you.

Premium Upsells

Free app, but "unlock" features or withdrawals require payment.

Affiliate Schemes

Get you to sign up for credit cards or trials, earn commissions, never pay you.

Simple Theft

Take your time, show you fake "earnings," and disappear.

How to Verify a Reward App Is Legitimate

Step 1: Check the App Stores

Apple App Store / Google Play

• Look for the app by name
• Check download count (more = better)
• Read recent reviews (not just top reviews)
• Look at the developer's other apps

Warning Signs in Stores:

• Very few downloads
• Developer has no other apps
• Many recent 1-star reviews about not paying

Step 2: Research Online

Search: "[App name] scam" or "[App name] reviews reddit"

Good Signs:

• Reddit discussions (r/beermoney) with real experiences
• YouTube payment proof videos
• Blog reviews from established sites

Bad Signs:

• Only positive reviews (likely fake/paid)
• No real user discussions anywhere
• Multiple reports of non-payment

Step 3: Test with Minimum Investment

Smart Strategy:

1. Start with $0 investment of money
2. Play for 1-2 days
3. Cash out at minimum ($1 on ggbucks)
4. Verify payment arrives
5. Only then invest more time

If an app won't let you test with a small cashout, that's a red flag.

Step 4: Check Company Background

Research:

• Company website
• LinkedIn company page
• Business registration
• Contact information that works

Legit companies have real addresses, real employees, and responsive customer support.

What Legitimate Apps Look Like

ggbucks Example

Red Flags ggbucks Doesn't Have

• ❌ No unrealistic promises
• ❌ No payment required
• ❌ No high minimums
• ❌ No sensitive data requests
• ❌ No disappearing points

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

Step 1: Stop Using the App

Delete it immediately. Don't give them more data.

Step 2: Change Passwords

If you used the same password elsewhere, change it everywhere.

Step 3: Monitor Your Accounts

Watch for unauthorized charges or identity theft signs.

Step 4: Report the App

• Report to Apple App Store or Google Play
• Report to FTC (ftc.gov/complaint) in the US
• Leave honest reviews to warn others

Step 5: Learn and Move On

Don't give up on legitimate reward apps—just be more careful.

Safe Reward App Practices

Do:

• ✅ Research before downloading
• ✅ Start with official app stores
• ✅ Test with minimum cashout first
• ✅ Read recent reviews
• ✅ Keep records of your earnings
• ✅ Use a dedicated email for reward apps

Don't:

• ❌ Pay to join or cash out
• ❌ Download from unofficial sources
• ❌ Give Social Security or bank details
• ❌ Trust unrealistic promises
• ❌ Keep using an app that won't pay
• ❌ Use the same password as important accounts

The Legitimate Reward App Landscape

These apps have proven track records:

These have survived years of user scrutiny and continue paying.

Common Scam App Tactics

The "Almost There" Scam

You're always close to cashing out but never quite reach it. New requirements appear, points expire, or minimums increase.

The "Verification" Scam

Endless verification steps that never complete. "Just one more step" forever.

The "Technical Issues" Scam

Convenient "server problems" whenever you try to cash out.

The "Account Suspended" Scam

Random bans for "suspicious activity" right before you cash out.

The "Currency Devaluation" Scam

Points were worth $0.01 yesterday, now they're worth $0.001.

Bottom Line: Stay Smart, Stay Paid

Reward apps are legitimate when you use legitimate apps.

Quick checklist before using any new reward app:

1. ☐ Found in official app store?
2. ☐ $10 or less cashout minimum?
3. ☐ 100% free to use?
4. ☐ Realistic earning claims?
5. ☐ Real user reviews exist online?
6. ☐ Company has contact information?

If all boxes are checked, you're probably safe. If not, move on.

Ready for a verified legitimate option? Download ggbucks—$1 minimum, instant payouts, and zero payment required. Test it yourself today.