How to Spot a Social Media Giveaway Scam in 2024

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.

⚠️ Red Flag Telltale Signs

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. 

✔️ The Account is Not Verified 

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.

📅 The Account Was Recently Created

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.

💬 You Get a Message from Someone Claiming to Be From That Account

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.

❌ There Are Spelling Errors in the Account Name, Bio, or Posts

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.

💸 They Ask You to Share Personal Information to Enter or Ask for a Fee

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.

🗒️ There Are No Clear Giveaway Rules or T&Cs Outlined

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.

🤖 Bots Are Entering with Spam Hashtags and Comments Instead of Real People

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.

Don’t Fall for Giveaway Scams

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.

How to Report Fake Social Media Giveaways

So, what’s next? What should you do if you spot a fake social media giveaway?

1. Check for contact details and try to get hold of the organiser. If you can’t tell whether the giveaway is fake, it’s best to ignore it.
2. If you think an Instagram giveaway is fake, report it. Tap the “three dots” symbol at the top right-hand corner of the giveaway post and choose “report.” You can also report the organiser’s profile in the same way.
3. To report a profile or Page on Facebook, click the three dots below the cover photo on the profile or Page. Select “Find support or report Page” or “Find support or report profile”. Follow the on-screen instructions to file a report. You can also report impersonating profiles or pages in Facebook Messenger.

Do Your Research and Stay Alert

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!

The Real Deal: WIN R20K Every Month for a Year with Hellopeter

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). 

• Go to hellopeter.com and click on “Write a review”.
• Type a business you want to review in the search bar. If it pops up, it’s already on Hellopeter. If it doesn’t, add them by writing their first review for them! See the video below that shows you how.

• Before you hit “publish”, search for the business’s email address online and add it to the field given to let them know you’ve reviewed them. You can often find this on their “Contact us” page on their website, or in their social media bios.
• Bonus entry: share your reviews on social media, tagging @hellopeter_za on Instagram and @hellopeter.com on Facebook and using #ReviewstoRiches
• Keep those reviews for businesses not yet on Hellopeter coming, and wait to see if you become R20,000 richer!

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.