Watch Out for These 3 Holiday Scams on Social Media

Meta is warning consumers to be on the lookout for three scams that are circulating on its social media websites, including Facebook and Instagram, this holiday season. 

The warning is part of a campaign that Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp—and social media analytics firm Graphika have launched to raise awareness about how to stay safe online. Bad actors have been using fake giveaways, fake coupons and offers for deeply discounted decorations to trick consumers into handing over their personal information or payments in return for inferior goods or no goods. 

Here’s what to know about these social media scams to avoid becoming a victim.

Fake holiday giveaways

Scammers have used stolen profile pictures and AI-generated photos of celebrities and social media influencers to create fake Facebook, Threads and X accounts and post offers for fake prizes. According to Graphika, the fake giveaways all used nearly identical language: “The gift (Christmas Gift box) [or other type of gift] is knocking on your door tomorrow. Just put ‘done’ No Scam. This is real." 

The posts offer chances to win Amazon gift cards, Walmart coupons, a free Tesla and a Christmas gift box. Users who comment on the posts are asked to contact the account operator through direct message, Telegram or WhatsApp or to visit another site to claim their prize. Then, they are asked to provide personal information, such as their name, phone number, home address and email address, and to fill out a survey about their income, shopping habits and debt. 

Fake holiday coupons and gift cards

Scammers have promoted fake offers for chances to win gift cards for retailers such as Amazon, Apple, Sony and Walmart. Consumers who respond to the offers are directed to websites that look like social media sites and have comments from fake users who claim to be lucky winners, according to Graphika.

The sites prompt potential victims to fill out a survey with their personal information and level of interest in cryptocurrency. After completing the survey, a prize offer appears with a link to web domains that contain malware, according to Graphika.

Discount Christmas trees and decorations

Scammers have created fake social media accounts that are impersonating retailers and posting ads for artificial Christmas trees and decorations that are deeply discounted for a limited time. The ads feature videos of decorated trees copied from legitimate social media accounts and voiceovers claiming that there is a limited supply of the trees, according to Meta.

Consumers who respond to the ads and posts are directed to websites, some of which appear to be created using Shopify. Victims of the scam complained that they never received the trees they paid for, according to Meta.

How to stay safe

On its site, Meta says it has added tools to protect users from scams. Facebook Marketplace now issues alerts when it detects messages that show patterns of scam scenarios. And Instagram alerts users to be aware of suspicious interactions when an account potentially associated with scams requests to follow you.

In general, never click on social media ads or posts for deals that seem too good to be true. Go directly to the website of the retailer that supposedly is offering the deal to see if it is legitimate. Or search online for the name of the company offering the deal and the words “scam,” “review” or “complaints.” 

For more tips, see How to Stay Safe When Shopping Online This Holiday Season.