Day 5 – The Social Media Giveaway Trap
When “Share to Win” Isn’t Worth the Risk
It’s hard to scroll through social media in December without seeing a tempting giveaway.
A post promises a brand-new phone, a designer handbag, or even a dream holiday, all you have to do is like, share, or tag a few friends. It feels festive, fun, and harmless. But for scammers, it’s the perfect trap.
How the Scam Works
Fraudsters create fake brand pages on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter), copying logos, language, and style from real companies. Their posts offer generous prizes, “Win an iPhone this Christmas!” or “Free supermarket vouchers for lucky followers!”
To enter, you’re asked to:
- Share or comment on the post,
- Fill in a form with your details,
- Or even click a link to “confirm” your entry.
That’s where the trouble starts. The link leads to a phishing site, harvesting names, email addresses, and bank details, or installing malware.
Even simple “engagement bait” giveaways can be risky. Scammers collect your public info to target you with future fraud attempts.
Signs a Giveaway Might Be Fake
- The account is new, with few followers and only a handful of posts.
- The brand name is misspelled or slightly altered (for example,
Tescoo_UK_Official). - There’s no verified badge or website link to confirm legitimacy.
- The post promises huge prizes for minimal effort, “Everyone wins!”
- You’re asked to click a link, provide card details, or pay postage.
How to Stay Safe
- Stop before clicking, check the account’s history and legitimacy.
- Check for the blue verification tick or cross-reference with the brand’s real website.
- Ask yourself: would a major company really give away thousands of pounds of prizes to anyone who shares a post?
- Monitor your accounts and privacy settings regularly.
If you think you’ve interacted with a fake giveaway, report the page and change your passwords.
A Festive Thought
Scammers love the spirit of sharing at Christmas, but don’t let your goodwill become their gateway. A real giveaway should never ask for your personal or payment details.
So before you share, remember to Stop • Check • Ask • Monitor, and spread awareness, not scams.
View other days of the 12 Scams of Christmas
BeScamAware.org — Stay alert, stay safe.