It's hard to imagine actually falling for a scam like this. It seems to me that in today's society people would know that something for nothing doesn't exist.

I dont know, that how i got my IPOD touch. I spent 50$ getting it. Most of that was paying for products to be shipped to my house, and testing them. it took about 20 man hours.(not all at once), but it all paid off, and i got my new ipod touch.

"We can only hope one day the world will unite under one science. A world where real world truths are'nt hidden by ancient laws is the only place science can save us all."

-Jon MacKnight

lol, "something for nothing doesn't exist"?
I'm not surprised that people do expect to get free stuff on the internet, especially in "today's society".
I can't help but notice the irony of you posting that comment, for free, on a free website for a science magazine, which has just provided you free news.
Then go look at wikipedia. It's not even ad-supported, and as far as I know it's the single most helpful database on the internet. So yes, people do get "free" stuff on the internet.

It seems to me that the important distinction here is between information and actual physical objects. These companies obviously won't send you merchandise if there isn't anything in it for them, and people probably realize that, but greed is, after all, a strong motivator...