There is always a danger of fraud on the internet, particularly for gullible youngsters who haven’t yet learned that what seems too good to be true probably is. The latest force out there taking advantage of trusting internet users are the Points Shopping Networks, PTZ, in web slang. These sites ask users to answer questions and fill in survey in return for the promise of extravagant prizes to be won with points earned.
These sites are always around, but they’re particularly tempting during the holiday season when the desire for new toys, fancy electronics and other luxury items is spurned to new heights by holiday advertisement. Most of the bigger PTZ sites, like the notorious Lockerz.com, are out for data mining and valuable advertising views that they capture with promises of prizes that are almost impossible to actually earn. Less reputable sites may actually put users at risk of identity theft or drop dangerous malware onto users computers.
These sites aren’t supposed to be targeted at kids, but, like cigarette ads featuring cartoons, its impossible not to see their splashy pages and improbably prize promises as appealing directly to tweens who have all the desire for high dollar electronics and none of the cash.
Like any other internet danger, the best remedy for PTZ sites is a little time spent talking about what they are, how they work and why they aren’t as awesome as they seem like they might be with your kids. Teach your tweens and teens to look up sites they’re interested in on consumer protection sites like SiteJabber.com and to do some research before they give their personal information away to anyone.
