Is thereviewerprogram.com legit or scam? Reviews

Thereviewerprogram.com: An in-Depth Analysis of the Scam Amazon Product Tester Site

With the rise of freelancing and online work from home opportunities, many aspire to work as Amazon product testers reviewing products for money. However, not all such opportunities are legitimate. In this in-depth analysis, we delve into the shady practices of Thereviewerprogram.com which claims to offer such work but is actually a scam.

What is Thereviewerprogram.com?

Thereviewerprogram.com is a website that emerged in late 2023 claiming to help people become Amazon product testers. On the surface, it promises to connect aspiring reviewers with Amazon sellers needing product reviews in exchange for money. However, a closer look reveals some worrying inconsistencies.

The site was created in September 2023 and will expire in September 2024, indicating it is a hastily thrown together temporary domain. No real information is provided about the owners or operators. The about page and contact details are empty with no transparency about the people running the site.

Suspiciously, the site is also not affiliated with Amazon in any way. Amazon has its own official Vine program for product reviewers and does not outsource this role to third parties. Having reviewed Amazon’s own reviewer requirements, there is no mention of Thereviewerprogram.com either.

How does the site claim to work?

Visitors to the site are enticed with headlines like “Earn up to $750 per review!” and claims that no experience is needed. The process described superficially makes it seem legit.

It states that after signing up, applicants will be connected with Amazon sellers in need of reviews. They would then receive free products to test and keep in exchange for a honest written and star review on Amazon afterwards. Payment is said to occur once the review is posted.

On the surface, this mimics the general process that established third party reviewer networks follow. However, there are some glaring inconsistencies when you scrutinize the details on Thereviewerprogram.com further.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Upon closer examination, there are many red flags that indicate this is a scam site rather than a legit reviewer opportunity network:

No Social Proof – Established companies always have social profiles to build trust, but here there are none. No LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter is linked from the site.

Unsecure Website – The site certificate is self-signed rather than using a trusted authority like Let’s Encrypt. This leaves it vulnerable to hacking and data theft.

Newly Registered Domain – As mentioned earlier, the domain was only created in late 2023 for 1 year. This temporary timing raises alarms.

No Company Info – No details are shared about the owners, location of business, physical address or telephone number for contact. Major red flag.

Not Associated with Amazon – They claim to connect reviewers directly with Amazon sellers, but this is false. Amazon does not outsource this role.

Generic webpage – The site was thrown together hastily using free web building tools. The about page and contact section are empty skeleton pages.

Hidden Surveys – The application involves hidden surveys on third party domains not affiliated with the site or Amazon. Personal details are harvested here deceptively.

No Guarantees – There is no real contract or terms of agreement in place to make sure applicants receive products or get paid as promised if selected.

Spammy redirections – The application involves clicking “I agree” buttons that also give the site permission for unrelated uses like email marketing. This is against FTC guidelines.

All these inconsistencies and lacking transparency indicate Thereviewerprogram.com is likely not a legitimate opportunity provider but rather a sophisticated phishing scheme designed to harvest personal details from unsuspecting job seekers. Let’s examine the process and risks more closely.

How the Scam Likely Works Under the Hood

When an applicant fills out the enquiry form on the homepage of Thereviewerprogram.com expressing interest, they are automatically redirected through multiple domains. This convoluted process is intentionally confusing:

1) The form submission sends people to startupacareer dot pages dot co, a free web page builder site. This site asks job-seeking questions under the guise of “vetting candidates”.

2) Personal details like name, email and Amazon account details are harvested here. The data provided is sent back behind the scenes to the operators of Thereviewerprogram.com.

3) Applicants are then redirected to a domain with a similar name called startacareer dot lpages dot co. This site contains extensive legalwaivers and checkbox agreements buried in long winded legalese.

4) The checkboxes essentially agree to share all personal data collected with third parties like mailchimp for unrelated purposes like marketing email lists. This is illegal data collection under most jurisdictions.

5) Once approved, applicants receive an auto-reply email as “confirmation”of their submission but of course never receive any products to review. The site operators now have a harvested list of potential identity theft targets.

In summary, the entire complex process is intentionally vague and convoluted to:

• Trick applicants into unwittingly sharing private info

• traffic applicants to unrelated third party domains for additional data collection

• Obtain legal consent to use the collected data for spamming/phishing purposes

• Provide a veil of legitimacy through confirmation emails while delivering no real benefits

The site exists solely to scam job seekers and likely onboards new opportunities seekers into further illegal money making schemes. It should be avoided.

How to Protect Yourself From Such Amazon Reviewer Scams

With the dream of making money online tempting, scams exploiting this market sadly persist. As online job hunting increases, it’s crucial we learn to identify red flags early:

Research thoroughly before applying. Check registration dates, company info, reviews online & verify association.

Avoid sketchy data collection. Legitimate companies don’t demand info upfront or divert you to custom surveys.

No guarantees means high risk. Review contracts to know your protections if things go wrong.

Social proof matters. Check social channels for real reviews vs empty or fabricated profiles.

Confirm directly with Amazon. Double check unusual claims by contacting Amazon support for verification.

Read privacy policies carefully. Be wary of agreements asking unusually broad permissions or unrelated uses of private data.

With diligence, we can curb shady operations trying to exploit job seekers. By taking time to thoroughly vet opportunities, conducting background checks and verifying claims directly with named platforms, honest opportunities can be identified and scams avoided.

Alternative Legitimate Ways to Become an Amazon Product Reviewer

For those still hoping to break into Amazon product reviewing, here are reputable options worth exploring:

Amazon Vine Program: The official invitation-only program for vetted reviewers directly managed by Amazon.

Established third-party networks: Do thorough research to identify reputed networks like Feedback Genius, Vindale, TapResearch or Review Kick that have existed for years.

Seller outreach: Find Amazon sellers in your country/niche and message them directly offering testimonials for free samples. Some may take you on.

Social media engagement: Be active commenting on products you’ve tested. Honest feedback may lead interested sellers to approach you privately.

Published reviews portfolio: Building a profile on sites showcasing your existing reviews on other platforms can create opportunities.

Amazon forums: Joining relevant category discussion threads demonstrating expertise may get sellers’ attention.

These grassroots approaches take time but avoid deceptive promises while allowing scope to build experience and relationships organically within Amazon’s ecosystem of buyers, sellers and reviewers. With patience and honest feedback, prospective reviewers stand to benefit in the long run.

Conclusion

In the thriving freelance market, scams will persistently masquerade as golden opportunities. However, common sense prevails when we take time for background checks rather than impulse decisions driven by tempting monetary claims.

Assessing a website’s legitimacy, verifying unusual business practices and protecting personal information are prudent precautions against falling for misleading come-ons. With diligence, we can stay informed to avoid scams while supporting ourselves with honest platforms. I hope this analysis has helped shed light on the deceptive practices of Thereviewerprogram.com and empowered readers to identify similar schemes.