Beware of giveaways

Scammers use giveaways or low-priced offers to entice you to share personal information or to take your money. One such scheme making the rounds on social media is the fake Walmart Dell laptop offer. Be vigilant. Don’t fall for these types of scams.

How it works

Scammers create realistic-looking posts or ads on social media, often mimicking well-known companies’ branding. These ads claim you’ve been selected to receive a free or very low-priced laptop, phone, or other high-value item as part of a promotion. To claim the offer, you’re asked to click a link and provide personal information or pay a small “processing fee.”

Once scammers have your credit card information, they can make unauthorized purchases, drain your accounts, or sell your details. These actions can lead to financial losses and potential identity theft, making it critical to protect your data.

Signs it’s a scam

1. Too good to be true: Legitimate giveaways from trusted companies rarely involve asking for payment or sensitive personal details upfront.
2. Phishing links: The links often lead to fake websites designed to capture your information, like your name, email, phone number or credit card details.
3. Fake websites: Scammers misuse trusted brand names and logos to gain your trust, but these companies are not involved.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify the source: If you see a giveaway or low-priced offer, visit the company’s official website or social media pages to confirm its legitimacy.
• Avoid clicking suspicious links: Hover over links to check their web address. If it doesn’t look official, don’t click.
• Never pay for a prize: Genuine giveaways do not require payment to claim rewards.

What to do If you’ve been a victim of a scam

• Secure Your Accounts: Contact your credit card company and report unauthorized charges. Request your card be canceled to prevent additional charges. Freeze your credit if identity theft is suspected to block scammers from opening new lines of credit.
• Report the Scam: Notify the companies involved, the FTC, social networks and your local authorities.
• Spread awareness: By sharing this information, you can help others avoid falling victim to this scam.

Remember, staying informed and cautious is your best defense against online fraud. Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.