I cannot count how many times a day I come across a review or Reddit thread comment insisting x product or application is a scam, so I'd like to set the record straight.
First of all, by definition, a scam is a ploy that hucksters use to target and con their victims out of something valuable. This can include money, gift cards or sensitive information like passwords and SIN numbers.
Scams are initiated, maintained and executed with the intention that the victim will be left compromised and usually deeply embarrassed for having bought into something that, in hindsight, was too good to be true.
Signs You're Being Conned
While new scams pop up all the time, the elements are always the same. The offer is usually unsolicited and sounds way too good to be true, or like you're about to be thrown in jail.
Signs that point to a scam include;
Being chosen as the 'winner' for a lottery or sweepstakes you never entered.
Recently there have been quite a few horror stories of people receiving fake tokens as part of unsolicited airdrops.
There's a great post from Steemit on how to identify airdrop scams
But as a general rule, if you get a token in your wallet you don't recognize, DO NOT try to trade it.
Being pressured into paying or submitting sensitive info IMMEDIATELY.
Legitimate companies will usually give you time to try out their applications and products before transitioning you to a paid subscription model.
While there are legitimate reasons, like Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, a Crypto exchange might need personal information; you should never feel pressured into giving this information out.
And in the case of a CRA payment, government officials will ask you to pay off a debt using BTC or some random altcoin.
Being asked to complete a long, confusing process you don't understand.
If your long-distance lover sounds a little too much like Microsoft Technical support, your satellite-crossed love affair might be too good to be true
Romance cons are on the rise, and it's easy to see why. If you're six months into a long-distance relationship, there is a considerable level of trust there that a Catfish can easily take advantage of.
As a general rule, you should never sign-up or invest in something you don't understand, even if a loved one recommends it.
Take your time. Analyze your options. And trust that people who genuinely love you will respect your decisions.
Not being able to find additional information about a company.
New tokens are minted all the time. And it can be hard to identify pump-and-dump schemes when you're a new investor. But understanding why Crypto Currencies fail is a huge part of identifying a bad investment.
Basically, you want to avoid projects with no apparent long-term plan, trustworthy founders or a dedicated and passionate fanbase.
And by passionate, I mean reviewers willing to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a project while still believing in its value.
Rip-Offs vs. Scams
So what does any of this have to do with P2E mobile games?
Well, there is a huge difference between a scam and a rip-off. One is illegal, and the other is just kind of disappointing.
Getting less of a payout than you expected for hours of grinding feels like a rip-off. But if you still got a payout, it's not a scam. It's a legitimate faucet new users can access to get started in crypto.
you are using a P2E app that claims it will payout but keeps suspiciously failing to drop items you need right when you're about to complete an event, it might be a scam.
If the offers are poor quality, it's a rip-off.
But if the offers keep sending you to scammy sites and suspicious-looking sign-up sheets, it's probably a scam.
One of the most important ways to spot and avoid scams is by asking a friend you trust for a second opinion.
Being clear on whether something is a scam or a rip-off is essential for keeping a community healthy and safe. Rip-offs can improve over time as user reviews come in. However, cons are unsalvageable and should be avoided at all costs.
Conclusion
You're very unlikely to find the perfect 'Get Rich Quick for Playing Mobile Games' App, and it would probably be a scam if you did
So, before you write a legitimate faucet off, consider your goals and whether they line up with P2E Gaming.
It's more helpful to say, 'this app is pretty disappointing and suffers from a lack of quality offers' than saying everything that doesn't make you a millionaire overnight is a scam.
If you're more interested in getting rich quickly than being rewarded for supporting your favourite mobile games, there are probably plenty of other opportunities to get you closer to those goals.
If you just finished a game you're disappointed with, leave a detailed review!
It can push developers to make improvements to projects with a lot of potential while helping people make informed choices about their next download.
