Money-making apps can put extra cash in your pockets

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Money-making apps can put some extra cash in your pockets, but you should read the fine print to protect your privacy.

It's the newest, high-tech way to work from home or even be a secret shopper - apps that offer to pay you for doing tasks.

But just what could you be trading, even risking, for those extra bucks? And what exactly do you have to do?

From uploading pictures of her grocery receipts for cash to watching videos on her phone to earn gift cards, work-at-home mom Nicole McDonald says she makes about $1,000 a year using money-making apps.

"I like using apps that pay me cash and rewards because it's a super easy way to just get some extra income," McDonald said.

There are hundreds of apps that let you cash in. Receipt Hog is the one McDonald uses to upload sales slips. The app also pays you to take short surveys.

The Shopkick app rewards you with gift cards when you visit recommended stores, scan items and buy products.

With Clashot, just upload photos, and if they're "liked" by another user, you can earn money. Some apps, like CashPirate, pay you to play games.

"We are definitely seeing more and more apps that at least say that they'll make you money if you use them," said Jennifer Jolly, a tech expert.

But apps could be cashing in your privacy. Buried deep in the fine print, some admit they find your precise GPS location, prevent a device from sleeping, send SMS messages, modify or delete contents of your USB storage, download files without notification, take pictures and video, and even record audio.

"Yes, they need to monetize you and ensure that you're located where you say that you are, but they're collecting way too much information," said Gary Miliefsky, a cybersecurity expert.

Experts say if you're going to use a money-making app, you should review its privacy policy and what information the app accesses. Also, see where the app company is located and don't download any app that pops up as a link in a text message.

"For the most part, these apps are fairly safe. If you download them from the iTunes store or Google Play store, you have a few more built in security measures," Jolly said.

In terms of how you get paid, some apps transfer payment to you via PayPal. Others send you e-gift cards or pay you in points which you can redeem to buy other apps from your phone's app store.