Special Report: Facebook Freebies

From shampoo, to coffee, to dog food... If you are looking for a freebie, then look no further than Facebook!

With more than 400 million users logging on to the social site, companies are clamoring for some free advertising and that can mean free stuff for you!

How about a Bruegger's bagel with cream cheese, a South Beach snack bar or shampoo from Aveda - all for nothing!

And scoring free stuff is just a click away. Simply find the homepage of a company you like, anything from Kraft to Kellogg's to Pampers to Pillsbury.

Then just click the "like" button. That's how you friend a company. Now you can start receiving some sweet swag.

Another way to cash in is to check out Hey It's Free, Free Mania and Frugal Freebies.

These sites offer you instant access to thousands of free Facebook items and tell you exactly how and where to get them.

A third way to locate free finds is Google Alerts.

Just put in the word "freebies" and you'll get daily lists of the latest offers up for grabs.

In just one week, we scored more than fifty free items off Facebook.

We got a free recipe book from Sun-Maid and a year's free subscription to Bloomberg Business week, Eucerin lotion, Arm and Hammer toothpaste and even a coupon for a deluxe sample of mascara from Sephora.

We got Nescafe Taster's Choice coffee, a few Breathe Right nasal strips, free Crest Whitestrips and even a free sinus rinse from Neil-Med.

Consumer expert Edgar Dworsky says companies have caught on to the idea that giving something away for free just might mean consumers will come back to buy.

Edgar Dworsky, Consumer World

"Facebook is hot. Companies want to market to where the buzz is, where the people are, where people will talk about their products that they're selling or giving away."

But be warned, we all know the saying "nothing in life is free."

A lot of companies do require that you fill out surveys and put in personal information, like your birth date and gender.

All that information can then land you on unwanted marketing or mailing lists.

Edgar Dworsky, Consumer World

"Be aware you are giving information in return for getting something for nothing."

But sometimes you can opt out of giving your birth date or phone number to better protect your privacy.

So stay safe and start reaping the rewards of Facebook freebies!

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