Facebook scammers are once again exploiting ignorant victims with claims of a free gift card giveaway on the social network. You cannot get a free voucher to Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer; the story is false.
This version says something along the lines of “One Free Amazon.com Gift Card (limited time only)” followed by a link to a fraudulent website. It also has the description “Amazon is currently giving away gift cards to all facebook users. Click here to get one!”, according to Sophos. As you can see in the screenshot above, the messages include a thumbnail image of a an Amazon.com logo or a supposed $500 Amazon.com gift card, but that doesn’t mean they’re legitimate.
Instead of getting a gift card, you’ll be told to share the link with all of your Facebook friends, as well as add a comment. The next webpage urges you to sign up for a premium rate mobile phone service, which of course just takes more money from you. Finally, you’ll be asked to complete an online survey, but you’ll never see your supposed gift card.
The scammers’ goal is to drive more traffic towards certain sites. This is how the scammer earns his or her money: a commission for every survey completed, every product purchased, and/or every account compromised. They also use them to spread malware and obtain personal information.
As a general word of caution, don’t click on everything your Facebook friends share on the social network. If you see a scam like this one, report it. Then go check your own Wall to make sure you’re not spreading the scam; the sooner you clean it up and Unlike any relevant Pages, the better. You can also contact Facebook Security if you’d like to.
See also:
- Facebook virus or account hacked? Here’s how to fix it.
- Facebook releases official Guide to Facebook Security
- Experts: Facebook crime is on the rise
- Sex sells: Men fall for Facebook scams more than women
- Researchers invade Facebook with socialbots, grab 250GB of data
- Facebook Immune System checks 25 billion actions every day
