Scam library · Shopping · Email & phishing
Fake social media giveaway scam
A comment or message says you've won a giveaway from a brand or influencer you follow. To claim your prize, just click the link and pay a small shipping fee.
The account is a copycat with a similar name and stolen photos. The 'shipping fee' page steals your card details or signs you up for a hidden subscription.
What the message looks like
From: Instagram message from '@brandname_giveawayss'
Congrats!! 🎉 You've been selected as a winner in our iPhone giveaway!
Claim within 24 hours here and pay only $2.99 shipping: claim-prize-now[.]shop
How this scam works
Scammers create lookalike accounts by adding a letter or underscore to real usernames. They copy a real giveaway post, then message people who commented, telling them they've won.
Some giveaways ask you to share personal details, log in with your account, or connect a crypto wallet. Others offer free products in exchange for 'just paying shipping', with fine print about recurring charges.
Real giveaways usually announce winners publicly from the official account, and don't ask winners to pay.
A quick check of the account usually tells the story: real brands have many posts going back years, consistent followers and a verified badge where available. Copycat accounts are often new, with few posts and comments turned off. When in doubt, go to the brand's official profile and look for the giveaway there.
Some fake giveaways are designed to collect data rather than money. Entry forms ask for your full name, address, birthday and phone number, which can be used for targeted scams later. Others ask you to 'like and share' to spread the scam further.
Free product offers that only charge shipping can hide subscription terms in fine print, so a $3 fee turns into monthly charges of $50 or more. Always read the terms before entering card details anywhere.
Red flags
- Winning a giveaway you barely remember entering.
- Usernames with extra letters, numbers or underscores.
- A small 'shipping fee' or 'verification' payment.
- Links to unfamiliar websites.
- 24-hour deadlines.
How to tell it’s fake
- Check the real brand's account for winner announcements.
- Compare usernames carefully.
- Never enter card details to claim a prize.
- Look at the account's age and post history.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Report and block the account.
If you paid
- If you paid, contact your card issuer and watch for recurring charges.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you logged in or shared personal info, change your password and enable two-step verification.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard in Chrome and Edge on your computer checks giveaway messages and claim pages. It recognizes fake prize sites and hidden subscription traps and warns before you enter card details. If a win seems legit, get a scam expert's opinion first.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Do real giveaways charge shipping?
- Generally no. Be wary of any fee to claim a prize.
- How do I spot a fake account?
- Check the username, follower count, post history and verification.
- I entered my card. What now?
- Contact your card issuer and watch for charges.
- Should I report the fake account?
- Yes, and tell the real brand too.