The larger well-known companies will let you choose whether or not you want to be contacted in the future, after signing up for a Free Sample of a product. But, sometimes smaller companies can choose to sell or give out your information to third parties. That is when you may start to get junk email from companies you have never heard of before. And, that can be a huge downside to signing up to get Free Samples. So here are two ways to protect yourself and STILL get your free samples!
Junk Email Address:
Every Free Sample you sign up for will request that you give them your email address. Instead of giving them your personal email address, go to Yahoo.com, Hotmail.com or another Free email service and create a new email address –just for when you sign up for free samples. That way, anytime you get sent SPAM, it will go to your “junk email address” and not your personal account. Great idea and it is FREE to set up a new email account!
Free Phone Number:
Many times, the phone number is not required in order to sign up. But, if it has a red asterisk by it, then you will have to fill in that information to get your free sample.
If you don’t want to give out your cell number or even your home number, you can create a Free Online Phone number. K7 is one of those services that will give you a Free Phone number. This free number does not need to be attached to a phone. It will be connected to your email. Anyone calling your Free number from K7 will be sent to an online voice messaging system. And, you can choose to check the voice mails online or ignore any calls you might receive from signing up for free samples. I just signed up for mine and there are no charges at all. It’s a completely free service! (Thanks Sarah!)
Anonymous
So smart!! I slipped up once by putting my real phone number and got a very threatening anonymous text this week. An Officer told me the common thread is buying something online and that the threat is most likely a scam. So word to the wise is NEVER put your phone number out there!!!