Examine the organizer’s prior giveaways to check if previous winners were acknowledged and rewarded. Genuine giveaways use transparent techniques of winner selection, such as random draw systems. If an organizer claims winners are chosen based on activity volume, engagement, or other non-transparent techniques, it’s suspicious.

Quick guide to spotting Instagram giveaway scams

We’ll also equip you with knowledge of unique tools you can apply to participate in giveaways and verify legitimacy. The appeal of online giveaways is undeniable, promising attractive rewards with just a click or share. With the rise of deceptive practices, ensuring the authenticity of such Instagram giveaways has become crucial for any internet user. On the Giveaway.com earn page, you can engage in giveaway campaigns like this one or any other offer. You can also create your giveaway campaigns to help your business or personal brand grow. This is a lucky giveaway mode, so you don’t need to do anything complex.

Every online giveaway legally has to include terms and conditions. These include crucial information, like the name and contact details of the organizer, how to take part, how the winner will be selected, what happens to your data, and so on. If you don’t see terms and conditions, that’s an instant red flag. Another common scheme on Instagram are fake lottery and giveaway scams. These scams are designed specifically to steal your information and convince you that you’ve won a prize or contest.

It’s a one-stop destination that brings the joy of winning and engaging with brands right to your fingertips. A request for cash is one of the most obvious red flags in any giveaway. By definition, authentic giveaways are free to enter and do not require any purchase or payment.

Instagram

A sudden spike in activity after months of downtime can also be a warning sign. Facebook verifies the identities of organizations and celebrities that are likely to be faked. Pages that Facebook has verified, like the White House’s Facebook page, have a blue check mark next to their name on their profiles.

Social media platforms like Instagram are becoming key hubs for promotions, awareness, and various marketing, particularly contest marketing. Companies frequently employ contest marketing through giveaways and freebies to boost engagement, raise brand awareness and visibility, expand their audience, or promote a new product. In conclusion, Instagram giveaways can be real or fake, so it’s crucial to discern when deciding which to participate. Look for clear rules, complete profiles, and connections to the host’s brand or business. The red flags here are the use of the words CONTEST and SODA – which we don’t use in the UK – and the mention of cinema chains Pathe and UGC, which we don’t have in the UK.

How to spot a scammer on Instagram: 13 warning signs

That might just be a trap set with shiny bait to catch unsuspecting folks. A common tactic employed by scammers is the promotion of eye-catching prizes, such as luxury cars, vast sums of money, or even properties like mansions. These are strategically designed to grab attention and lure individuals into their traps.

1. Be suspicious of accounts which have very few followers, or no activity.
2. Genuine giveaways frequently use high-quality, original photos highlighting the gifts or brand.
3. Once the Instagram scammer has your initial investment, you’ll likely never hear from them again, and they’ll continue trying to do this to others.
4. Don’t let the allure of an extravagant prize cloud your judgment.

With many people losing their jobs during the pandemic, scammers looked to take advantage of the situation by  promoting fake job postings on Instagram. In some cases, it’s possible that the account was once real and has been hijacked by scammers on Instagram to fool others. While there are plenty of legitimate influencers on the app, some of them are fake accounts designed to deceive you. Engaging in comments and tags increases your chances, but be cautious if a giveaway promises extra wins through excessive tagging or commenting.

Unless you happen to have a personal relationship with a celebrity, it’s unlikely that they’re asking to be your Facebook friend. Who wouldn’t be tempted to give up personal information or money to get that big prize they’ve been dreaming of? But they are actually attempting to convince their targets to hand over money or information that they can use for identity fraud. Scammers steal logos, photographs, and other graphics to make the page look like it belongs to the person or company they’re imitating. Molinar wasn’t the only person who was targeted by this sweepstakes scam. Renee Carr had a similar experience, and luckily also realized she was being scammed in time to protect herself.

However, fake accounts and variance analysis formula with example spammy comments are red flags. Watch for repeat comments from the same users or those containing suspicious links. With Giveaway.com, you no longer have to second-guess the authenticity of a giveaway.

Get Norton 360 Deluxe to help protect against scams, block hackers, and fight malware. Online slots Canadaoffer a diverse range of games, providing Canadian players with exciting opportunities to win and enjoy immersive gaming experiences. While stock photos are acceptable, a brand or influencer offering a specific prize should ideally use their own images. If you spot generic or unauthorised images, scepticism is warranted.

It is a scam if an account requests money for shipping fees, taxes, or other reasons. Scammers employ this technique to steal your money and, in some cases, your credit card or bank details. Fake giveaway scammers often ask for personal information or financial account details, pushing unknowing people into a trap. In one year alone, there was a massive jump in these types of scam cases by nearly 50%.

How to Spot a Fake Giveaway on Instagram – and What to Do Next

With an assurance of the legitimacy of giveaway sponsors, a provably fair algorithm, and a user-friendly platform, Giveaway.com is your ultimate gateway to legitimate giveaways. Join the community, explore the opportunities, and let the thrilling world of giveaways unfold before your eyes. You should never have to pay anything to receive a prize. Do not give out card details unless you’re shopping on a website you trust. NEVER share online banking passwords, or your credit/debit card PIN number.

Everyone should have a fair chance to win, and any deviation from that should be investigated. Legitimate giveaways, particularly those from well-known businesses, will always include certain terms and conditions to safeguard all parties involved. This is a huge red flag if these are missing or there is no proof of the prize’s validity.