SpeedBoost

SpeedBoost (often shortened to SB or Boost) is an in-game virtual currency used in Need for Speed: World to buy items such as Cars, Car Slots, and Card Packs. To obtain SpeedBoost, players typically spend real money using any of several payment options (e.g. credit card, PayPal, or BOKU SMS), the availability of which may vary by country or region.

Items
The following items may be purchased with SpeedBoost. Some of the items may also be obtained by spending In-game Cash (IGC).
 * Cars
 * Car Slots
 * Car Rentals
 * Card Packs
 * Performance Parts Card Packs
 * Skill Mod Card Packs
 * Aftermarket Card Packs
 * Car Prize Packs
 * Amplifiers
 * Aftermarket Items
 * Powerups

Web Deals
Web Deals are special offers made available through the official Need for Speed: World website. Some of the game's latest cars can often be obtained through Web Deals. A Web Deal typically includes a car, Cash and Rep Amplifiers, and Insurance. Because it packages a car with additional content, such a Web Deal may cost more SpeedBoost than would an equivalent car purchased directly from the in-game Car Dealer.

Purchasing SpeedBoost
Players may obtain SpeedBoost in several ways.

Official Website
The following instructions describe how players may purchase SpeedBoost on the official Need for Speed: World website.
 * 1) Log into an account at the official Need for Speed: World website.
 * 2) On the site's top right corner, the account's current SpeedBoost balance is shown.
 * 3) Click on the "+/Get More" button or the "Buy SpeedBoost" button.
 * 4) Select the payment option that will be used.
 * 5) Select the SpeedBoost package (or amount) that is desired.
 * 6) Complete the transaction as instructed.

The pricing and availability of SpeedBoost packages and amounts may change over time. The amounts offered may range between 1,000 and 50,000 SpeedBoost. Players may choose from among several payment options, such as credit/debit card (MasterCard, Visa, etc.) or PayPal, and the availability of payment options may vary by country or region.

SMS SpeedBoost
Players may also choose to use BOKU SMS, a mobile SMS payment service, to purchase SpeedBoost. BOKU's mobile checkout does not require registration (with personal information) or a bank account, but the SpeedBoost offers available for BOKU SMS transactions may differ from and cost more than those available for transactions using other payment options.

Free SpeedBoost
Sometimes, players may legally obtain SpeedBoost for free.

Official Codes
EA may occasionally release promotional SpeedBoost codes, usually during special events or when Facebook "Like" milestones are reached. Free codes are occasionaly also given via e-mail promotions. The amount of SpeedBoost awarded can vary from 600 to 2,000 SpeedBoost.

SponsorPay
Through SponsorPay, players may attempt to earn free SpeedBoost by completing forms or surveys, downloading software, or watching video promotions.

However, SponsorPay has faced accusations that offers pose security risks, spread malware, defraud users, have proven unreliable, or some combination thereof. Most of the offers have hidden spyware. There have been many cases where SponsorPay offers have failed to award SpeedBoost as promised, and many of their download options contain adware, trojans, and other malware that infect or seriously harm users' computers. Therefore, it is advised that players do not submit any information to SponsorPay or any of its affiliated websites.

SponsorPay has been removed from Need For Speed World as of May 5 2014. 

New Account
The first time a player's new account has a driver reach Level 3, 500 SpeedBoost is awarded to that account. The SpeedBoost is awarded only once per account, and therefore other drivers on the same account will not receive additional free SpeedBoost rewards for reaching Level 3.

Top-Up Gifts
Top-Up gifts are exclusive items that players may get for free when they purchase SpeedBoost. Top-Up gifts may include cars (sometimes new releases), Vinyl Packs, Neons, Card Packs, and License Plates. These Top-Up gifts are available for all payment options, but SMS SpeedBoost offers may be limited to fewer options.

Scams
There are scams and malicious sites that falsely claim they can provide free SpeedBoost or other in-game items.

SpeedBoost Generators (Trojan/Malware)
There are many programs that claim to be SpeedBoost Generators but serve as trojans that install malware. One common part of the malware used is keyloggers, which are used specifically to steal usernames, passwords and other personal information.

Even if functional, the use of such third-party software not sanctioned by EA would violate EA's Terms of Service and, depending on jurisdiction, may also constitute theft or other criminal acts.

Phishing (Solicitations for Personal/Account Information)
"If you give me your account info then I can add SpeedBoost for you..." As with any phishing scam, implausible claims are used to lure victims into submitting sensitive information such as usernames (or email addresses), passwords, etc. Players who divulge their private account credentials do so at their own risk, and are strongly advised not to do so.