You have probably seen these free laptop schemes online or in print advertisements and wondered how this can be making them any money. This article gives a behind the scenes look at what these schemes involve and things to watch out for if you do decide to consider using them.

Many would wonder if these schemes are simply a scam. There probably are a number of scams, as in any of these type of programs, so always be sure to research the company before committing to anything.

However, the bulk of these companies are making money online from lead generation. You might get a free laptop but in return you have to provide a lot of personal information that you agree to being passed on (or sold on) to third parties for sales leads or market research.

The first thing to be careful of is the volume of data you are expected to provide. This can include health history and financial which many would be reticent about passing about.

Secondly, your information could potentially go onto hundreds of other firms meaning you may end up on numerous mailing lists and direct marketing campaigns.

Third, these programs often require you to sign up to associate programs before you receive the free laptop. Check which programs you would be expected to join, what they cost and for how long you need to subscribe. They may even have early drop-out charges if you leave their schemes before a set period.

Finally, many of these schemes use refurbished computers (reformatting or fixing computers that are nearly new) but this is only detailed in the small print.

Perhaps there is no such thing as a free laptop. To make the most from these schemes, just be patient and read the terms and conditions fully to understand what you are letting yourself in for.