Vidreviewer.com “YouTube Video Reviewer” Scam Explained
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
The idea of getting paid just to watch and review YouTube videos sounds like an ideal gig. But supposed YouTube reviewer jobs blasted online that claim to pay you for this easy task usually turn out to be thinly-veiled scams. One current YouTube scam making the rounds poses as a job opportunity on Vidreviewer.com. Using the YouTube logo without permission, the site tricks victims by implying you can apply, take a short quiz, and start earning cash reviewing YouTube clips. However, it’s just a facade for funneling victims into shady websites, subscription traps, and information harvesting schemes.
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Overview of the Vidreviewer YouTube Reviewer Scam
The Vidreviewer.com website displays the YouTube logo prominently and tempts victims with the following claims:
“Want to get paid to be a YouTube Video Reviewer? Enter your email & basic info, Answer a simple questionnaire, Apply to your desired category, Start reviewing YouTube clips”
A prominent “Apply” button gives the impression signing up is an application for a real YouTube content reviewing job. However, YouTube is not actually hiring or paying people to review videos via this site. And there is no job or money-making opportunity being offered.
In reality, clicking “Apply” sends victims through an affiliate funnel aimed at collecting personal data and signing people up for useless paid subscriptions under the guise of “training programs”.
This scam takes advantage of the YouTube brand recognition to trick people seeking online work-from-home opportunities. But the website has no actual association with YouTube or its partner programs.
How th Vidreviewer.com “YouTube Video Reviewer” Scam Works
Here is a walkthrough of what happens when you click on Vidreviewer.com:
1. Scam Ads and Emails Lead to Vidreviewer.com
The scam starts with social media ads, pop-ups, text messages, or spam emails directing victims to the Vidreviewer.com website.
Subject lines like “Earn $30/hr Watching YouTube Videos”, “Online Job Watching YouTube”, or “Get Paid to Watch YouTube” entice people to click on the links. The messages illegally use the YouTube logo to appear valid.
2. Site Claims You Can “Apply” to Become a Paid Reviewer
The Vidreviewer site displays the YouTube logo prominently next to text reading:
“Want to get paid to be a YouTube Video Reviewer? Enter your email & basic info, Answer a simple questionnaire, Apply to your desired category, Start reviewing YouTube clips”
An “Apply” button makes it seem like completing these steps will allow you to start earning money watching and reviewing YouTube videos. But no actual details about pay rates or job responsibilities are provided upfront.
3. Clicking “Apply” Leads Down an Affiliate Funnel
When victims click “Apply” believing they will get hired to earn money from YouTube reviews, they are instead redirected to an affiliate funnel.
This means victims are forced to hand over personal information, take “aptitude” tests, and sign up for training programs that require an initial “registration fee” and monthly membership charges. The purpose is to collect data and generate recurring subscription revenue.
4. “Training” Includes Watching Videos and Taking Quizzes
To start working as a paid reviewer, victims must sign up for “training” programs costing 1−5initiallyand1-5 initially and 1−5initiallyand30+ monthly. These programs prey on victims’ desires for the reviewer job:
Watching hours of useless YouTube videos
Taking pages of online quizzes and tests
Submitting personal info like full name, email, phone number, etc.
Agreeing to expensive monthly subscription charges
The programs provide no real education or preparation for reviewing YouTube content. And there is no job waiting after completing the training.
5. No Job is Provided – Just Recurring Credit Card Charges
After registering for the fake training programs, victims find out there is no YouTube reviewer job and no payments for watching videos. The promises were completely bogus.
Instead, victims are left with:
Monthly credit card charges for the useless training subscriptions they signed up for
Spam emails flooding inboxes with more scammy offers
Personal info sold to shady parties, leading to more potential scams
Meanwhile, the scammers behind the affiliate funnel profit from monthly subscription fees and commissions earned on each victim referred.
What to Do If You Fell for the YouTube Reviewer Scam
If you already clicked on Vidreviewer.com and signed up for training programs, here are important steps to take right away:
Carefully check credit cards statements and dispute any unauthorized subscription charges. Cancel payments immediately.
Mark emails from the scammers as spam to avoid additional scam offers.
Change passwords on any accounts you entered info for to protect credentials. Enable two-factor authentication if possible.
Contact the major credit bureaus to implement fraud alerts in case your information gets misused more widely.
Report the scam to the FTC, YouTube, relevant ad networks, and other authorities to get the campaign shut down.
Staying vigilant following exposure to online job scams limits damages and helps protect others. Don’t let desire for easy remote work allow scammers to take advantage.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
FAQ: The Vidreviewer Scam Claiming to Hire YouTube Reviewers
What exactly is the Vidreviewer scam?
Vidreviewer is a scam website that falsely claims you can apply and get hired to review and analyze YouTube videos for pay. But it is not associated with YouTube, and there are no actual paid reviewer jobs being offered.
How does the Vidreviewer scam work?
The site uses YouTube’s brand without permission to make the job opportunity appear real. But clicking “Apply” leads to an affiliate funnel getting victims to pay for useless training programs via monthly subscriptions. No income, reviews or jobs exist.
What are the red flags of a scam here?
Red flags include aggressive ads promoting easy jobs reviewing YouTube content, use of the YouTube logo, paying for training, little job details provided, and monthly subscription charges. YouTube would hire reviewers directly, not via a third-party platform.
What happens after you apply or purchase the training program?
You will not get hired as a paid YouTube reviewer. The only result is recurring credit card charges for the fake training subscriptions you signed up for. You also get spam emails and lose any personal information provided.
What should I do if I already purchased a program?
Immediately cancel any training program subscriptions to stop monthly billing. Watch for any unauthorized charges too. Change compromised passwords and turn on two-factor authentication for accounts where you entered info.
How can one spot and avoid video reviewer scams?
Be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers making money online by watching videos. Never pay for job training. Apply directly via real company websites. And don’t trust ads using a brand’s logo without permission.
Where can I report fake YouTube reviewer job scams?
Report scam job offers, websites, and ads to the FTC, YouTube, social networks, ad networks, and other entities that may help get fraudulent campaigns removed.
The Bottom Line on the Vidreviewer.com Scam
The bottom line is – Vidreviewer.com has absolutely no connection to YouTube or legitimate job opportunities. There are no real openings for paid video reviewing jobs being offered. The website’s claims and prominent use of YouTube branding are intended solely to trick victims.
In reality, it’s just a facade funneling victims into useless pay-for-nothing training programs via monthly subscription charges. You will not get hired or receive any payments by clicking on this scam website and jumping through hoops.
To avoid this “YouTube Video Reviewer” scam, remember:
YouTube does not hire or pay random people to review videos via third-party websites. Any legitimate YouTube partner opportunities would be offered directly by YouTube.
If an online job seems suspiciously easy, like getting paid for watching YouTube, it’s almost certainly a scam. Delete suspicious messages.
Never pay any money for training programs or classes to get hired somewhere. Real employers provide training for free.
Stay vigilant against online job scams by treating supposed easy remote work offers with skepticism. Also be wary of sites asking for payments upfront before providing work. With sound judgment, you can avoid traps like the bogus Vidreviewer.com scam.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
