Scam library
Fake giveaway ads
Ads or posts saying you can win free products if you take a survey or pay a small shipping fee.
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Last 14 days
How much people are talking about "fake giveaway scam" online, measured by LunarCrush. Attention, not a count of victims.
What it looks like
Ad: Free gift card for our anniversary. Answer 3 questions to claim yours.
Post: We have 200 unsealed boxes we can't sell. Comment 'Done' and share to win. Pay $1.95 shipping.
Ad: You've been selected to receive a free phone. Complete the survey and pay shipping to claim.
How it works
Fake pages copy real brands and post giveaways. After a survey, you pay a small shipping fee, which signs you up for hidden monthly charges or steals your card. Others collect your personal details or send you to phishing pages.
Warning signs
- A free item that requires a small fee
- A survey before you can claim
- The page is new or not the brand's verified account
- Comments that all say they won
- Tiny print about monthly charges
If you got one of these
- Do not enter your card. A paid ad is not a sign of legitimacy.
- Report it: tap the three dots on the ad or post and choose Report.
- Check the brand's verified account for any real giveaway.
- Do not share or comment. It spreads the scam.
If you already paid or shared something
- Call your card issuer to dispute the charge and block any future monthly charges.
- Watch your card for small charges in the coming months.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Who gets targeted
Anyone on social media, especially people who like brand pages and enter contests.
Also read: Is this website legit before I buy?