You may have heard about companies paying everyday consumers like you money in exchange for helping them fill out surveys that help guide their marketing and product offerings.

There are many places all over the Internet advertising that you can sign up for free with them to take these free surveys and get paid for doing so.

But you might also know that at least 90% of these survey sites contain outdated information. You may also know that a huge amount of these surveys are so exclusive that after you waste your time giving your preliminary information you're informed that you don't qualify.

Still other survey sites are blatant liars, saying they have several times the amount of affiliate companies that they actually do, and some even try to charge you fees to get into the "higher levels".

Yet, my research has shown that there are at least three legitimate survey companies on the Internet whose offers are genuine...

And yes, with these companies you may very well make yourself an additional $1,000 per month or more just for taking surveys for less than an hour a day from the comfort of your home!

Would you like a $12,000 a year raise? Then read on...

In my opinion, the very best site is Survey Scout. Their customer service department is excellent. Not to mention their 100% money back guarantee is unconditional.

Even more, their website tells it like it really is about survey taking. There are no get rich quick sales pitches, no promises of making a million dollars from surveys, and you even get a free audio advice guide from big money making survey expert Deborah Casey.

Plus, they offer you free bonuses for becoming a survey taking member (magazine subscriptions and the like). You even get access to free company software that makes filling in the survey forms quick as greased lightning.

As if that's not enough, you'll get their other "Get Paid" programs including "Get Paid to Shop and Eat", "Get Paid to Read Email", and "Get Paid to Drive". It's almost impossible for me NOT to recommend Survey Scout.

But there's also Make Money Taking Surveys. Site owner Lauren Mitchell specializes in bringing in "newbies" to the survey taking scene and making them understand exactly how it works and how they can make serious money.

Lauren includes free, easy to understand advice on how to find the best paying surveys and methods for filling out the forms in ways that make you more attractive to more companies. As she says, "Your opinion is worth gold to Big Business".

Almost as good as Survey Scout, but the Scout still takes the cake for user friendliness (that's really the only significant difference, though).

Paid Surveys Online may be the most visited survey site on the Internet. The company is true to its word that it is affiliated with a huge number of companies and it's constantly adding more and weeding out the dead wood.

Paid Surveys Online will also give you a few bonus affiliate sites that show you how to earn easy money in other ways (even by just driving your car!).

The downside, though: inconsistent customer service and lower average payouts than the other two sites. Still, many people really like Paid Surveys Online. It's just not my top pick. ;-)

But, why not sign up for all three? If you want to get paid for taking surveys, these are the most profitable places to be!