There has been an increase over the past year of free laptop computer programs being advertised on TV, the web and in email chains. This post looks at the small print of these schemes to highlight some of the scams you should be careful of.

There are a number of types of free laptop computer offers doing the rounds. Some are for students, some for the general public. One type to be particularly wary of uses pyramid-like conditions to attract applicants. They can stipulate that the applicant also partakes of some affiliate offer and refer 20 of their friends to the offer before receiving their free laptop.

These type of terms result in you (a) probably having to make some additional purchase or subscription to the affiliate offer and (b) sending out chain emails to get 20 friends to also take up the offer. Many friends will not partake of the offer so this can cause mass emailing just to reach the requisite amount of referees.

Other programs tweak these conditions. Some will not request any referees but may expect you to sign onto several affiliate offers. Each offer can have sign up costs, subscription costs (if applicable) and early-exit costs. If you miss out on one of the offers then you forgo the chance of getting a free computer.

Other schemes will sell on your information as sales lead generation and/or market research data. The conditions of the program can ask you to agree to this happening. The result can be an increase in the number of spam emails, junk email and cold calls that you receive.

Always investigate a free laptop computer program thoroughly before committing to it. Many will be bona-fide and not out to exploit. Read the terms and conditions to be sure of what you are getting into.