Beware of Fake Social Media Giveaways

Fraud Protect want to raise awareness about the growing number of fake giveaways circulating on social media platforms. These scams are designed to deceive users into sharing personal information or engaging with suspicious content. Please read below for tips on identifying these scams and how to protect yourself.

What to Look Out For:

Unbelievable Offers: Be cautious of giveaways promising expensive items, large sums of money, or luxury holidays for free. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Unverified Accounts: Legitimate giveaways are typically run by verified, official accounts. Look for the blue checkmark next to the account name. Scammers often create accounts with similar names to impersonate brands or influencers.

Request for Personal Information: Be wary of any giveaways asking for sensitive details such as your credit card information, passwords, or national insurance number. Genuine competitions rarely request these.

Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on unfamiliar or shortened links. Scammers use these to direct you to phishing websites designed to steal your personal information.

Account Tags and Follow Requests: Be cautious if you’re asked to tag several friends, share the post widely, or follow unfamiliar accounts to enter. This can be a tactic to spread the scam.

How to Stay Safe:

Verify the Source: Always check the official websites or social media profiles of companies or influencers for confirmation of any giveaways.

Check for Errors: Look out for spelling mistakes, unusual grammar, or inconsistencies in the post. These are often signs of a fake account or scam.

Never Share Sensitive Information: Avoid giving out personal details unless you are sure the giveaway is legitimate and run by a trusted source.

How to Report a Scam:

If you come across a suspicious giveaway or think you’ve been targeted by a scam:

Report the Post or Account: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have in-built tools to report fake accounts and scams. Use these to flag the content.

Contact Action Fraud: Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. You can report fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Alert Your Friends: If you believe you’ve been targeted by a fake giveaway, warn others in the community so they don’t fall victim to the same scam.

Stay vigilant and protect yourself from online scams. Let's keep our Dorset community safe!