It′s tough these days to agree to letting loose your personal and contact information. We all know what happens when you do – scammers swarm, your inbox is filled with SPAM, your phone rings endlessly off the hook, or worse, you identity is compromised. More and more consumers are tightening their belts when it comes to even giving out a name or an email address. And while sharing your information will most likely lead to your at least having to endure advertising emails from the companies you do like, it doesn′t have to mean that you are flooded with unsolicited offers. It doesn′t mean that applying for offers for freebies and quality products isn′t safe. It simply means that you have to be smart about bargain hunting for freebies.

There are a few basic rules to follow that should ensure a good freebies bargaining experience.

First, know what you are getting yourself into. Determine if a freebies offer is a straightforward free sample, if there are small shipping charges involved, if your are signing up for a free trial (that will later balloon into a paid membership), or if you will be sent follow-up offers.

Secondly, read the terms and conditions and privacy statements provided by the company offering the freebies. Find out if they will install software to track your computer browsing or if they will sell your information on a mailing list.

Have respect for the companies that are giving you freebies. Understand that they have a motive behind giving consumers freebies – they want contacts and samplers, etc. Know that you might get something for free, but you are not really getting something for nothing.

Let websites that scan freebies offers (like scam busting sites and freebies directories) take some of the guesswork out of the equation for you. Let them search and wade through the junk and bring you those with promise (but also understand that the ultimate responsibility for your safety lies with you).

And finally, be sure that anywhere you enter vital contact and financial information is secure. Use a secure web browser and check for the ″locked″ icon and/or security certificate information whenever you fill out a form.

When you take these few steps and follow these guidelines on a regular basis, freebies hunting can be fun – and get you some great deals. And as long as you take care with your important information, hunting for freebies will remain safe, too.