Social media giveaways are a great way to engage with your favourite brands and snag some exciting prizes. However, not all giveaways are created equal. With online scams on the rise, it’s essential to tell the difference between genuine giveaways and fraudulent ones.
It’s not always easy to spot the difference between a scam and a legitimate social media giveaway, but there are many telltale signs you can look out for.
A major red flag is if the social media account running the giveaway hasn’t been verified. This means the platform hasn’t confirmed the account’s authenticity. Look for those blue verification badges. Scammers often use unverified accounts, so if there’s no blue tick, proceed with caution.
Check when the account was made. If it’s new with no history or only a few followers, especially if it claims to be a big brand or influencer, that’s suspicious. And if the giveaway is the only post on the account, it’s likely a scam. Scammers love to create new accounts or use inactive ones to run fake giveaways.
If you get a random message saying you’ve won, be sceptical. Scammers often try to impersonate legit brands. Verify the message by checking the account for authenticity, and never click on links or engage with random and unsolicited direct messages (DMs). This is how scammers trick you into going to fake websites or downloading malware onto your device.
For instance, Hellopeter will never DM you about a win. We’ll only contact winners from the email they used to register their Hellopeter account.
Genuine businesses keep things professional when it comes to their online presence. Spelling or grammar mistakes in the account name, bio, or posts are a big red flag.
Never share personal information like your bank details or pay to enter or claim a prize. Genuine giveaways are free and won’t ask for sensitive information. Don’t give out personal information unless you know the website you’re on is legit and secure.
Authentic giveaways will always have clear terms and conditions outlining how to enter, if you qualify, and how winners are chosen. The absence of T&Cs is a red flag.
Our giveaway clearly states the rules and terms on our official website and social media posts.
A genuine giveaway will attract genuine followers. If you see tons of spammy comments or irrelevant hashtags, it’s likely a scam. Hashtags are a great way to get your posts seen on social media, but if there are too many unrelated hashtags, it’s another red flag. Also, watch out for repeating comments from the same users or comments with links.
Stay vigilant and informed – if something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and always do your research to avoid falling for a scam.
So, what’s next? What should you do if you spot a fake social media giveaway?
Before entering any giveaway, take a few moments to research the account and the giveaway’s legitimacy. Remember, your safety comes first. Follow these tips to make sure you only participate in genuine opportunities.
Visit hellopeter.com for more information on how we protect our community and to take part in our latest, genuine giveaway!
To enter our giveaway to WIN R20,000, all you have to do is review a business not yet listed on Hellopeter (meaning it does not come up when you search for its name on hellopeter.com).
Never trust any messages from other channels claiming to be Hellopeter. If you’re a winner, we’ll email you to your registered Hellopeter email address only.
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