The Blade by Ron Schenone, MVP
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Get A Free Laptop - Are These Advertisements For Real?

PLEASE NOTE - I DO NOT SEND FREE LAPTOPS - THIS STORY WAS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
We have all seen the advertisements. Either on the Internet or in our email inbox as spam. FREE LAPTOPS! Are these ads for real? Kind of. Let me explain.

I went and took a look at a advertisement from laptopreportcard.com just to see what they had to offer and what was required to get a new laptop into a user’s hands. The first thing that struck me about the site was that it was not cluttered with pop up ads and was very professional looking. The first step in claiming your freebie is to enter in your ZIP code. Wow, lucky me, I was eligible to participate. In fact, I entered in 15 different ZIP codes from either former addresses where I lived or for relatives and we all qualified! This was looking good already.

At the next page I was required to input some general information, name, address, phone number, and email addy but this was where it got a little dicey. After completing the first form, I had to take a survey. I selected the option for a free phone & mp3 player. At the next page I was then asked for my social security number. No problem. I put one in. [Not a real one - I used 123-45-6789 which was accepted.] And then came the promos.

In order to qualify, I had to accept some wonderful products and either had to pay for s&h, or a small fee, all of which required a valid credit card number in order to proceed. This was where I stopped. In reading the small print, and I mean small print, just because I signed up for these special offers, in no way was I guaranteed a free laptop. The chosen few are selected randomly after going through all the bells and whistles, plus, I am sure, signing up for every spammer in the world to bombard their mailboxes full of junk.

Is that the case? You bet. After using a throwaway email address, I checked the inbox and within one hour I had already received 26 more free offers, even for products I specifically asked not to be bothered with like paying off college loans and so forth. And I hadn’t even finished the survey! The email address was enough to set off the barrage of spam.

Bottom line - I’m sure someone, somewhere, at some time has received a free laptop. But the high price you may have to pay is giving up your personal and credit card information to a company, though it may be honest, is not something I am willing to do nor would I recommend to others.

Enough said. Be careful.

WE DO NOT SEND FREE LAPTOPS! SORRY!

Tags: , ,

What do you think?

subwolf - March 5, 2007 @ 2:40 pm

Giving up your social? No way. Who knows who’s taking it for identity theft. Hell, I’ll put in my ex-wife’s.

alfred abuura - March 10, 2007 @ 10:40 am

i would like to get a laptop for free

Ron Schenone - March 10, 2007 @ 11:39 am

Alfred,
So would I, but the cost is very high. You give up your privacy. :-)
Thanks for the comment. Ron

Slamet - March 12, 2007 @ 7:19 am

I am a computer teacher. I need a laptop for my teaching. I don’t need a new laptop generation (P-IV)and new. I recieve a second laptop.

Roberta - March 12, 2007 @ 3:51 pm

Ron,

Thank you so very much for explaining this to me. I am fairly new to the internet and you just saved me from becoming an internet diaster.

Keep informing people, your doing a justice to people like me.

Ron Schenone - March 12, 2007 @ 4:33 pm

Hi Roberta,
Will do. And thanks for your comment.
Regards, Ron

sabeer - March 13, 2007 @ 7:04 pm

i would like to get a laptop for free

Ron Schenone - March 13, 2007 @ 7:28 pm

Hello sabeer,
The article I wrote mentioned this website:

http://www.laptopreportcard.com

I hope this helps.

NIKHIL - March 17, 2007 @ 2:18 am

hi

Ron Schenone - March 17, 2007 @ 4:15 am

Hi to you also. :-)

Ramdhan - March 20, 2007 @ 1:54 am

I need a laptop for my teaching. I don’t need a new laptop generation (P-IV), especially HP or Dell. I would like to get it free.

Ron Schenone - March 20, 2007 @ 2:51 am

Randhan,
Good luck in your search.

Shaun - March 21, 2007 @ 11:25 pm

Wow I got to the top 2 great offers to get my laptop. I really could have used both of them, Onlingo free spanish program. I searched onlingo just on a whim before entering my credit card # and I saw 3 people posted that it was a scam right on top if it. That’s got to mean something when before your add 3 others call you a fake:( I’ve had this email address for a long time and I was really excited untill all the junk started showing up. I wish someone would invent a reverse spamagnifyer that would blow them up.

Ron Schenone - March 22, 2007 @ 3:41 am

Hi Shaun,
I’m glad you caught that it was a scam before giving them any personal info. And that’s for posting your comments.
Ron

Shamseddin Mahmoudian - March 23, 2007 @ 5:15 pm

I need a laptop for my teaching. I don’t need a new laptop generation (P-IV), especially HP or Dell. I would like to get it free.

Paul - April 1, 2007 @ 10:24 am

“There’s a sucker born every minute” P T Barnum

“If it sounds too good to be true, it is” Unknown

“You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all ot the people all of the time” Abraham Lincoln

I can’t add anything to the wisdom above.

Thanks for posting for those are “some of the people”!

Paul

Ron Schenone - April 1, 2007 @ 11:22 am

Hi Paul,
Thank you for your comments.
Ron

J.R - April 4, 2007 @ 2:17 am

yeaH its true they are schemes, but i do know that some of the free laptop websites do GUARANTEE a free notebook after complete their specific requirements, but what i would like to know is if you do complete these requirements which probably consist of a few services youll never use, how much would that run you up as far as money wise. maybe 40, or 50 dollars and a spammed out mailbox. However in my mind its like paying 40 or 50 bucks for a brand new laptop.. i wish i had an internet crash dummy to find out how much these services will cost you total on your credit card. Any body know? Thank you

-J.R from Rhode Island

Ron Schenone - April 4, 2007 @ 6:16 am

Hi J.R,
I hope you are able to secure a free lappy. Best of luck on your quest.
Ron

tom daivd - April 5, 2007 @ 5:10 am

hello ,
this is tom daivd i will like to order for a Notebook Computer okay do u have laptop Computer i will like to know how much is it i will like to pay with my card. Pls i will be expecting your response.

Ron Schenone - April 5, 2007 @ 6:22 am

Hello Tom,
I do not take orders for laptops. The article I wrote was to explain the free laptop offers and take on how to oder one. Sorry.
Ron

Istiyanto - April 11, 2007 @ 1:53 am

I am a medicine student in Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
I need a laptop for help my study
I live in Kedung SrokoTegal III/2 Surabaya Indonesia.
Please give a laptop
Thanks before.

Ron Schenone - April 11, 2007 @ 2:03 am

Hello Istiyanto,
I think you may have misunderstood. I don’t send free laptops.
Regards, Ron

hari rostanto - April 15, 2007 @ 6:54 am

it’is nice to get this laptop

Ron Schenone - April 15, 2007 @ 8:54 am

Hi Hari,
I’m glad you are enjoying your new laptop. Maybe you can provide us with some information on how hard it was to get the free laptop and what you think of it.

Thanks, Ron

Yalfal Temesgen - April 17, 2007 @ 5:27 am

I am a socio-economics researcher and i am moveble and
i need a laptop for help my studies.
My adress is
Yalfal Temesgen
Adet agricultural research center
P.O.Box XX
Bahir Dar
Ethiopia
Thanks,God Bless You!!1

hamedlabban - April 17, 2007 @ 5:49 am

thank you i am from syria alipo tel:00963-XX-2115605
fax:00963-XX-2118695 m:00963966939553
thank you for laptop

Ron Schenone - April 17, 2007 @ 5:57 am

Yalfal and hamedlabban,
I regret to inform you that I do not send free laptops to anyone. This article was merely a warning of either spam mails or other solicitations advertising a free laptop.

I sincerely hope that this clarifies why your requests can not be answered. Ron

bola - April 24, 2007 @ 6:29 am

why is nigeria an exception to this offer?

Ron Schenone - April 24, 2007 @ 6:39 am

Hello bola,
I’m not sure. You may wish to check with the website where you applied through their customer support service. Just a thought.
Ron

anonymous - April 26, 2007 @ 8:09 am

Hello Ron,

A WARNING: It’s very good that you present this information to people who might wonder about these “free” offers — in fact I found this blog post through the search engines. However, I’m quite surprised that you, an obviously savvy Internet user, would have entered in your social security number (SSN#) on a website referred to in a spam email. I hope you do not get your identity stolen. Your trust in this spammer was a very unwise move.

To state the modern version of the “golden” rule of the Internet: DO NOT ENTER YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (OR ANY OTHER PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE BANK ACCOUNT OR OTHER FINANCIAL INFO) INTO ANY WEB SITES, OR THROUGH EMAIL, WHOM YOU DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE ARE LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES AND WOULD HAVE A LEGITIMATE NEED FOR YOUR SSN# (or credit card/bank account number). In particular, no one should EVER ask you for your SSN# in a product sales pitch or offer of some kind. In fact the only time I ever type in my SSN# is when I’m applying to a legitimate credit card or loan online THAT I’VE RESEARCHED FIRST. And those are NEVER unsolicited offers; I always do my research and find them, not let them find me! The same goes for unsolicited emails and phone calls: never give them your SSN# or credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Period.

Ron, I’d recommend appending to this blog post warning people not to enter in their SSN# as you did. I can’t imagine this “free laptop” spammer having any other reason for your SSN# other than to sell it to identity thieves.

All that this merchant should need or ask from you is your name and an email address, and perhaps your mailing address to send products to you (if you determine that they actually have a legitimate offer). What could they possibly need your SSN# for? The only institutions that would need this info are banks and financial institutions that need to check your credit history in order to extend a credit card or loan offer to you. This offer smells like a phishing scheme, and I hope for your sake you do not get bitten by it.

Ron Schenone - April 26, 2007 @ 8:16 am

Hello,
I had to laugh when I read the information about providing a SS#. I should of explained that it was not a valid SS# and no one else’s either. I used 123-45-6789 which the system accepted. I will amend my post and thanks for the correction. :-)

Regards, Ron

anonymous - April 26, 2007 @ 8:37 am

Hello Ron,

Thanks for amending your blog post and clarifying that point. I think the simple fact that this laptopreportcard.com site even ASKS for the visitor’s SSN# shows that they are clearly up to no good, and should be shunned (and probably reported to the Federal Trade Commission and other authorities). Glad you didn’t actually put a real SSN# in.

Ron Schenone - April 26, 2007 @ 8:58 am

I agree. Asking for a SSN# should be a clue to everyone to stay clear. Thanks again for your comments.
Ron

didik bekti purwanto - May 4, 2007 @ 12:20 pm

I am a socio-economics researcher and i am moveble and
i need a laptop for help my studies.
My adress is
Jl. Surokarsan Mg2/459
Yogyakarta 55151
Indonesian
Thanks,God Bless You!!1

fatkhul amien - May 9, 2007 @ 12:25 am

i am a lecturer
my salary $ 187 per month
i need laptop
can you send me ?
i hoope so..

my address
fatkhul Amin, ST
d.a. Fakultas Ekonomi
Universitas Stikubank
jl. Tri Lomba Juang No. 1
Semarang
Jawa Tengah Indonesia

Terry - May 11, 2007 @ 1:59 pm

I have gotten a free laptop at another company by doing as they asked. I ended up paying out about $300 for goods and services to receive a brand-new $600 laptop. I am currently looking into this laptopreportcard.com site. Honestly, I don’t remember whether or not I gave them my SSN. If I did, I was stupid to have done so, as others have said, but may have felt safe because of my previous success.

I wanted to comment that you are incorrect in your description of this program. There are actually two parts. The reviewer program, where one is randomly selected to review and keep a laptop, is free to join and comes with the first part of registering. I believe that is what the SSN is needed for — the give you a laptop and must report it to the IRS. The Member Incentive Program is the part where you have to complete sponsor offers. The first four cost between $1 and $40. The last two, however, cost between $500 and $1500 dollars. Obviously, it has to be worth it to make the commitment to proceed. The incentive gifts I am seeking include a Toshiba tablet laptop (value unknown), a Canon Digital Camera (value $1400) and a bonus, for one more sponsor — after completing all of the others — of a Sony Flatscreen TV (value $1700). I have some questions that I have sent and I am awaiting their answers before I proceed with completing any more of the offers. I have done two, cheap ones already.
Terry

Ron Schenone - May 11, 2007 @ 2:32 pm

Hello Terry,
I read over your comments and it seems that this program has worked out well for you. Thanks for the information on how this works. I am sure this will help others in deciding whether or not they wish to participate.

Thanks again, Ron

Ranger - May 12, 2007 @ 2:02 am

You are totally right, thanks for the warning. You now have my email adress, why is it required.. A trap? I hope not for your sake.. >=)

Ron Schenone - May 12, 2007 @ 4:04 am

Hi Ranger,
No tricks - no traps. :-) Thanks for the comment.
Ron

LIlgreg - May 14, 2007 @ 7:09 am

if there is any let me know. ….chow

gengwall - May 23, 2007 @ 7:44 am

So far, our family has gotten 7 laptops and counting. Average cost has been $150. Be patient, research all of the requirements, don’t get involved in referral programs, and it is cheap and realtively easy.

Ron Schenone - May 23, 2007 @ 8:21 am

Hello gregwall,
Thanks for your comments. Maybe you could share with us your success. I am sure others would be excited to learn how you accomplished this. I know I would. $150 average is a great price.
TIA, Ron

O. Beverly - May 30, 2007 @ 7:53 am

Actually I have gotten several things from legitimate websites. A 42 inch panasonic plasma tv. A check instead of a 42 inch panasonic plasma monitor, a toshiba satelite laptop, a check in place of a whirlpool duet washer, $500 gift cards, $1000 gift card, 2 xbox 360’s, a ps2 (old model my first item in 2002), a psp value pack, xbox video games, xbox360 video games, wireless controllers for my xbox 360, a PDA, $ USD paid to my paypal account. And yes you do have to give up your personal info.

It is internet marketing. The whole idea if for these companies sponsores to aquire new customers. And yes you do have to send in a w9 for anything valued over $600. At tax time the company sends you a 1099 for “miscellaneous income”. You do have to pay taxes on everything.

Whether or not you do the site is up to you. But make you own decisions about it. Research the website and its parent company. Do a who is.com search. Then google them. Check The Better Business Bureau website for info in them. Read some of the “freebie” site forums at Anything4free.com , Freeipodguide.com or Referral Swapper.com. In formation on the larger free laptop, plasma tv and visa/mastercard giftcard giveaway sites sites will be found in the D.I.Y. or “Do-It-Yourself Sections”

Whether you chose to try it or not. Do not be afraid to explore the net. Enjoy it. Be diligent, do your research and have fun.
Later Cousins
O

Ron Schenone - May 30, 2007 @ 8:05 am

O. Beverly,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us. I am sure this information may help someone.
Thanks again, Ron

Kevin Orndorff - June 8, 2007 @ 2:32 pm

My daughter is11. She would love to have a free laptop. Thank you.

panasonic fax - June 29, 2007 @ 11:23 pm

panasonic fax…

Hi. Very nice blog. I\’ve been reading your other entries all day long..lol….

Ron Schenone - June 30, 2007 @ 6:17 am

Hi panasonic fax,
Thanks for your comments.
Ron

Johnathan - July 7, 2007 @ 5:14 pm

Im right with you there. And even when you do get the laptop, it probably wont last two weeks. But I especially would not want to give out my e-mail.

Randy Callahan - September 2, 2007 @ 2:32 am

Hi all:

Just for the hell of it, today I went thru the entire process to receive a free laptop. My toshiba had a spill accident and I can’t find anyone who’s willing to give up a matching type laptop so I can replace it with my hard drive (that still works). So far the cost to me has been under 30.00 to participate in “advertizements. From there I don’t know but when I find out I’ll let you know.

As for the spam emails - get a good spam blocker!!! DUH.
You’ll hear from me again!!!

Ron Schenone - September 2, 2007 @ 6:40 am

Hello Randy Callahan,
Please let us know how this works out for you. I am sure there are others who might want to take the risks and get a new laptop.
Thanks, Ron

arunprasanna - September 2, 2007 @ 8:35 am

can i get a laptop freely

AltairShinshin - September 16, 2007 @ 1:44 pm

Why the hell are people asking for free laptops here when you clearly state that you do not send them? lol to the xtreme!

Ron Schenone - September 16, 2007 @ 5:05 pm

Hello AltairShinshin,
I don’t understand it either. But if I find out why they keep asking, I’ll be able to go to my grave a happy man! LOL

Later, Ron

Saifullahi Shehu Imam - September 20, 2007 @ 12:39 pm

please make my dream come true by providing these offer for me!!!

staycee - September 21, 2007 @ 11:50 am

i just want to say that i think this whole free laptop thing is just as it sounds, a scam, a scam , a scam, a scam. nothing is ever fre unless ur best frined gives it to ya, then……u have to beware! lol anyway. i would like a free laptop too, doesnt everybody. maybe i should start a website that will give free laptops too, and then you have to pay for them in some other way. no one has that kind of time to find a free laptop, anyway, get a job and get one at walmart for $400, its a lot faster.

Eric Wiesenthal - September 25, 2007 @ 10:32 am

Yeah Ron,

Laptopreportcard.com is full of sh*t!!! And, I plan to tell them if I get any additional e-mails, I’ll be reporting them to the California Attorney General’s office!

- Eric

Ron Schenone - September 25, 2007 @ 11:23 am

Hi Eric,
Thanks for your comments.
Ron

Emily - October 12, 2007 @ 8:22 am

Please send me a free laptop too.

Just kidding.

I enjoyed the article and am absolutely amazed by the all of the people requesting computers from you. That’s fantastic.

Wish Randy would post what ended up happening.

Mostly I was just Googling this stuff because I’m curious what the choices for the silver, gold and platinum offers on all of those sites are. I keep hearing commercials on the radio for the xbox ones, and can’t understand how such…normal? advertising could be legal for something that intentionally misleads people and leaves them vulnerable for intense identity theft.

Anyway, thanks.

calum - October 27, 2007 @ 8:04 am

yes you can get a laptop for free by going here http://freemacbookpro.com/index.php?referral=650368
all you have to do is sign up for free complete one free offer and get 20 freinds to do the same. Its free but takes a bit of work but worth it.

KANGE ALFRED MOKAKE - November 7, 2007 @ 1:10 pm

i am reguesting for a fee laptop

winner436 - November 12, 2007 @ 8:46 am

you can get a laptop here
http://www.notebooks4free.com/default.aspx?r=956257
they will never ask you for personal information(except country and email) until you are ready to be sent the laptop.They also have an anti-spam policy and do not share info with third parties.

Ron Schenone - November 12, 2007 @ 10:37 am

Thanks for the link.

Carl - January 26, 2008 @ 9:14 pm

The Zip 00000 is also eligable….lol

Carl - January 26, 2008 @ 9:15 pm

Also I am trying to get a specific email address on spammers lists, I am mainly looking for phishing emails for a project of mine. Feel free to use it anywhere questionable.

cdawg2792@live.com

????? - January 31, 2008 @ 12:58 am

This is really helpfull. I was trying to get a free laptops off of a websites like that today. I decided to look at what they didn’t want me to see. I read all their private policy’s and Terms and Conditions. I personaly think that they try to make them long just to deter you from reading them. But really I caught a lot of stuff in the small print that suprised me. I had at least 3 sites where you had to sign up for over 8 different offers and even then you wern’t sure if you were even going to get a laptop or anything else. I also learned that most of the time the small print give more information about the website than what is in bold underlined letters across the page. Also I think you need to remeber that most of the time they try to make the websites as professional as possible. They want your trust and your info. and they will go to any length to get them.
Mostly all you can do is:
1. Reserch the company first
2. READ THE SMALL MICRSCOPIC PRINT
3. Remember few websites are truly forthcoming
4. Stay away from the *Free* stuff that pops up at you on an unrelated website
5. NEVER GIVE YOUR #SSN!!!!!! MOST WEBSITES WILL ACCEPT 12345678 AS A #SSN!
6. Be safe and use COMMON SENSE!!

Hope this helps!! :)
~SSPM

Ron Schenone - January 31, 2008 @ 6:21 am

Thanks for the additional information. It is appreciated.

josh - February 6, 2008 @ 11:11 am

i really got a free desktop free from this site:

http://www.DesktopComputers4free.com/index.php?ref=4602405

i’ve already recieved my free desktop and loving it, but i had to buy a monitor.

Harry - February 10, 2008 @ 11:46 am

Yeah, I got one free also, Josh, email me so I can tell you about this. NikkyNick22@gmail.com

Fredrick Amankwah - March 5, 2008 @ 11:46 am

PLEASE I WILL LIKE YOU TO PLEASE SEND ME A FREE LAPTOP THROUGH DHL OR FEDEX TO THIS ADDRESS;DZORWULU JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL,P.O.BOX NT.10,ACCRA-NEW TOWN,GHANA-WEST AFRICA.

PLEASE CONTACT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS WHEN YOU SEND IT

TDR - March 26, 2008 @ 4:42 am

Wow, you guys are lucky to avoid that scam email/site

I went to getmyfreelaptop.com, after I saw the Tv commercial. I never had to give my social security number, I finished the 8 offers for a total of $20 out of my pocket, and I am typing this from my laptop…

Not too bad! I guess some sites are complete B.S. and some are very very shaddy! I figured if they advertise on network TV the law has to regulate them?! Anyways I know that site worked for me personally without needing any SSC#

Hope that helps those of you that really need a laptop like I did

Budiyanto - April 24, 2008 @ 5:15 am

I need a laptop for my study, please give me one free

Emily - April 29, 2008 @ 3:12 pm

Thank you, this was really helpful information!

What are your thoughts?

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