legitimate winner email from microsoft?

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ritchardf

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Thank you for your recent participation in an online Microsoft survey. We randomly selected 101 participants to receive a Microsoft gratuity. Your name was selected as a winner.
Please fill out the appropriate form(s) and return to the address below. If you prefer, I can send you a hardcopy of the form(s) and a postage paid return envelope. Just let me know your mailing address.
The SSN for US participants is only needed if you receive $600.00 or more in gratuity per year. If you are under the limit, you can leave it out.

Participants living in the United States please use the form titled “21145 Gratuity Form – Survey.xls”.

Participants living outside the United States please us the forms titled “21145 Gratuity Form – International.xls” and “w_8ben.pdf”.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Also would you reply so I know to expect your form(s).

Thank You,


Mack Richards (KMS)
User Experience Gratuity
425-706-7197

Hours:
M-Th 9am - 8:30pm
F 9am - 6pm

One Microsoft Way
Attn: Usability Group
Building 21 Room 1001
Redmond WA 98052
USA


i havent seen anything about it around here. I remember trying some thing for microsoft where they said random people would win something. downloaded the (virus free) pdf and it lists all things you can pick from, including xbox 360 games, pc games, vista home premium or business, and a bunch of productivity and tools software. the main thing concerning me is you have to put you SSN on the claim form. anybody else get this?

just reread my own post, it says you can leave out the SSN if you dont get more than 600 in gratuity in a year.
 
It makes no sense for it to say your SSN is only needed if you get more than $600 worth and then tells you that if you are under the limit you can leave it out. How the fuck are you suppossed to know if you are under the limit if they dont tell you what you've won?
 
It's totally legit. They also have gaming and Mac groups, too.

Most of the studies are done in their "labs", so you need to be close to the MS campus. But they have occasional online studies (i.e. surveys), too.

[quote name='Malik112099']It makes no sense for it to say your SSN is only needed if you get more than $600 worth and then tells you that if you are under the limit you can leave it out. How the fuck are you suppossed to know if you are under the limit if they dont tell you what you've won?[/QUOTE]
They need the SSN for tax purposes. And, you will know if have obtained more than $600 throughout the year, at which point you will have to complete the SSN in your profile. Also, I doubt any one study will have a $600 prize, so one would have to participate in several studies before the SSN would be required.
 
From the link that Dark Zion posted related to the phone number, it sounds like the contact information is for prizes relating to user research studies that are essentially you using software while people watch either in your own work environment or by you actually attending their facilities in Washington.
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/userresearch/studies.aspx

I'd be fairly cautious, unless you actually did do something to that effect.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']It makes no sense for it to say your SSN is only needed if you get more than $600 worth and then tells you that if you are under the limit you can leave it out. How the fuck are you suppossed to know if you are under the limit if they dont tell you what you've won?[/QUOTE]


the pdf form has all the things to pick from listed, as well as MSRP prices on them. visio professional and project standard are the only thing listed near 600, at 599.99. office pro 2007, office small business 2007 and office mac 2008 are 499.99. it says if you get over 600 in a year from microsoft in gratuity, you get a 1099 form, hence the SSN.

im definitely going to call the number on monday and see what i can find out.
 
[quote name='blue ocarina']From the link that Dark Zion posted related to the phone number, it sounds like the contact information is for prizes relating to user research studies that are essentially you using software while people watch either in your own work environment or by you actually attending their facilities in Washington.
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/userresearch/studies.aspx

I'd be fairly cautious, unless you actually did do something to that effect.[/QUOTE]


i did do a survey or something for them a while back, and the title of the email says "general family gaming online survey".
 
Fear not, I've gotten the same thing through my email.

heres mine.


A***** S******* (ASPunisher12),

Thank you for your participation in an online Microsoft survey. This was the art survey that you completed in April/May.
We have randomly selected 15 participants to receive a Microsoft game for their time. You are one of the winners.

To claim your gratuity please print, fill out and return the attached form to the address below. If you prefer, I can send you a hardcopy of the form and a postage paid return envelope. Just let me know your mailing address.
Once we receive the form, we will process your request.
The SSN is only needed if you receive $600.00 or more in gratuity per year.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Also would you reply to this message so I know to expect your gratuity form.

Thank You,

Mack Richards (KMS)
User Experience Gratuity
425-706-7197

Hours:
M-Th 9am - 8:30pm
F 9am - 6pm

One Microsoft Way
Attn: Usability Group
Building 21 Room 1001
Redmond WA 98052
USA
 
[quote name='ASPunisher12']Fear not, I've gotten the same thing through my email.

heres mine.


A***** S******* (ASPunisher12),

Thank you for your participation in an online Microsoft survey. This was the art survey that you completed in April/May.
We have randomly selected 15 participants to receive a Microsoft game for their time. You are one of the winners.

To claim your gratuity please print, fill out and return the attached form to the address below. If you prefer, I can send you a hardcopy of the form and a postage paid return envelope. Just let me know your mailing address.
Once we receive the form, we will process your request.
The SSN is only needed if you receive $600.00 or more in gratuity per year.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Also would you reply to this message so I know to expect your gratuity form.

Thank You,

Mack Richards (KMS)
User Experience Gratuity
425-706-7197

Hours:
M-Th 9am - 8:30pm
F 9am - 6pm

One Microsoft Way
Attn: Usability Group
Building 21 Room 1001
Redmond WA 98052
USA[/QUOTE]

ok, that looks almost identical. so did everything go smooth? did you send the form or request the hard copy?
 
I got one of those emails. It was from a gaming survey that I did. I have already sent the form but haven't got anything yet.
 
Yes,its legit.I had received one many months ago.Thats how I now have Gears of War for PC.I too was a bit sceptical about it,but I called and everything and within a month if not less I received what I picked.:lol:
 
That sounds great. I'm going to call them up Monday to verify.
Then I'm going to send in the copy to print out.

I got mine the same day you did.

Seems pretty legit, it knew it my real name and username as well as the survey I took with Microsoft.

Just mine has video games. A couple of 360 games and PC game for choices.
 
Speak of the devil, today I received an email from them asking to participate in said survey. So you guys are saying it's worth it to fill it out?

Are they still even giving out free prizes?

EDIT: Well, I filled it out anyway cause it was rather short. I just find it odd they sent me the same survey for the third time today.
 
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