Consumer Alert
Free money on social media? Nah. It’s a scam
Image
Say you’re scrolling through your social media feed and you see a post saying, “I’m the winner of $600 million from the Powerball lottery. I’m giving away $50,000 to the first one thousand people to message me.” Would you answer? If you do, you could become the target of a scam.
Scammers are impersonating lottery winners on social media, often using the names of real winners to make their posts sound legit. If you reply to their posts, the fake lottery winner might ask for your phone number and send a text saying you won the money but need to act fast. That’s the first red flag. Why the time pressure?
Then they’ll tell you to put hundreds of dollars on gift cards, take pictures of the cards, and text the numbers from the back of the card to cover “processing and delivery fees.” That’s definitely a scam. Only scammers ask for gift cards as payment.
Just commenting on a post like this might seem fun and harmless. But it can lead you to engage with a scammer…and your feed will be bombarded with similar posts and even more scammers to deal with. Avoid them with these steps.
- Don’t pay to get a prize. Real prizes are free. Anyone who asks you to pay a fee for "taxes," "shipping and handling charges," or “processing fees” to get your prize is a scammer. Stop and walk away.
- Ignore “free money” posts. Anyone in your social media feed saying they have money to give you is a scammer.
- Never send money to someone you met online. Especially one who insists you only pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps like Apple Pay, CashApp, PayPal, or Zelle. That’s a sign of a scam.
People who know about scams are more likely to be able to spot them. So, please share what you know with your friends and family, and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
1. Report
2. Block
3. Delete
Very helpful if not obvious.
Thanks for your warning. I appreciate you.
At least once or twice a week I receive something from someone on Facebook.com telling me that they have received anywhere from $150,000 to $450,000 in cash from someone representing the Community Block Development Program (CBDP) or some other type of Federal Program. All I have to do is connect with their site or someone's and answer a few simple questions and give them authority to takeover my Facebook page to solicit/contact people on my address book and they will send thousands of dollars to my friends. I have shut off these people in any way possible.
I believe that you should know about this as this is fraud (if nothing else).
In reply to At least once or twice a… by Steve Brown
I just received a notice that I've been awarded
$450.000 dollars . Now they just asked for my full name , address , and telephone number . So
The Fed-ex can deliver the money . They want me to set up an appointment with them on Friday .I believe over the phone .. do you think this is a scam ? or Legitimate
In reply to I just received a notice… by Wayne Harmon
You should never give your address to anyone online, especially if you don’t know them. I hope you didn’t do it. It’s more than likely a scam.
In reply to I just received a notice… by Wayne Harmon
This just happen to me, is it real?
In reply to I just received a notice… by Wayne Harmon
I just received the same thing but they used the name Lerynne Wrst. Looked her name up she did win bug in the lottery but she said scammed are using her name.
In reply to I just received a notice… by Wayne Harmon
Do you mind me asking, whatever happened? Did you give your name, phone # etc? I received a similar text recently. No money, banking info or anything else personal was requested. Just my full name and address which they could get off of Google anyway. But if it sounds too good to be true..... You know! 😃 Thank you ahead of time
Sounds like mostly Facebook scams, but I do see these stupid scammers on Twitter once in a while.
They always have tiny accounts with unbelievable stories about sharing their win 😜
I never follow back, but just report them.
What about all these abbs about money from the Government 5400.00 6400.00 for low income and seniors
In reply to What about all these abbs… by Joann Davis
The government doesn't offer "free money" for individuals. Federal grants of free money are usually only for states and organizations. But you might be able to get a federal loan for education, a small business, or other reasons. Learn about help paying for food, health care, or utilities on this federal government page: www.usa.gov/benefits.
In reply to What about all these abbs… by Joann Davis
You missed those on disability, but I believe that goes without saying.
I am so glad the FTC rolled up their sleeves and embarked in a consumer education and fraud prevention campaign, a task that should be within all (state and federal) consumer protection agencies consumer education activities and campaigns.
Bravo FTC!
PCH publisher's clearing house is actual true.. But PCH Publisher clearing house being used as Scammers saying you have won..
I had a scammer inpersonate my dad on Facebook. They somehow know I am disabled and said to reply to some fake account displaying someone I do not know, and said to reply now to this fake profile to claim my earnings of some fake disability program. Acting as is they were my dad, they claimed he won my by replying to this fake Facebook account.
Thanks for the info. I thought it was a scam but there was that "what if" feeling. Your info brought peace of mind.
They often use fake celebrity endorsements that look real. Dr Phil ,Dr Oz and Taylor swift are scammers current favorites.
Scoot Johnson is supposed to be a government agent, for hhs ,do not contact him on Facebook messenger, for a grant, he has taken a lot of money from me ,and no grant to date .bit late for me ,but be aware of the name
AGENT SCOOT JOHNSON
Received a text saying I've been chosen to receive a million dollars. Too suspicious
That very scam I've won 371 million. And I wanna give you 100k. Happening right now on Instagram!
What about emails
Watch out for Mavis Wancykz on Social Media and Danielle Lam on social Media too, both saying you've won! Hahahaha
In reply to Watch out for Mavis Wancykz… by KRW
What can they do with a name and address?
This person said I won a million dollars he’d name is Alerahawkins785 said she works for Facebook sent me a picture of her badge and everything sent me a picture of the winning statement Sent us assurance letter and everything. What should I do?
I received a text from a Glenda Owens from 256 223 3469. Stating they are giving away money (all I have to do is send $50.00)
In reply to I received a text from a… by BRINA L ROLLINS
She hunt won any money they're using her name. I will contact her and tell her someone using her name in a scam
I just got a text from someone saying that they work for FedEx and sent me his personal identification card from FedEx and it really don’t look like the person on the picture. So he tells me I was chosen by this woman who won the Iowa Lottery Powerball and is giving $250,000 to people. I asked a few questions and he answered quickly and to me kind of suspicious but I went along with it to see where it takes me. So he proceeded to ask for my name and address and wanted my ID or DL I said I don’t have any. He said no problem and continued to say that I had to act promptly I
Within 1hr to pay $35 processing fee to claim the $250,000. I already know it’s a scam soon as I saw the first red flag free money, come on who really does this? Any way now he keeps texting me how am I going to pay I have no credit cards he tells me to get a gift card and let him know when I’m getting it so he can tell me which one to get, omg really this guy has some nerve. So now I’m reporting him to whom ever I need to so he don’t keep doing this to nieve people and they do scam people too.
Beware of a scammer goes by the name
John hunter
I was contacted on instagram from a lotto winner and I did look him up he did win and I saw he has a foundation. he did ask for 25$ for shipping fee. I said I have no money then said he was sending me a check for 250.00 to pay for all the delivery and fees to receive the money. I did check into it. seems legit. I should receive the check in a day or 2. what’s ur opinion. he’s from nj
In reply to I was contacted on instagram… by Arlene
The fact that they want to send you a check for $250 when the shipping fee is only $25 is the first red flag. Also, the fact that they couldn’t just mail you a check with your “winnings” but they can mail one for $250 is also a red flag. Please be careful.
In reply to I was contacted on instagram… by Arlene
This is a scam. When you receive the check, you need to call the issuing bank on the check. They can verify if it is legitimate money. Be safe.
I have just been scammed. Michael J Weirsky won the lottery. This a fraud. He has beat me out of thousands. DO NOT get involved in his scam.
I'm receiving these in my actual phone text messages and it contains a link. Also there's 20 other numbers it shows me that the message has been sent to. I usually don't even open the message if its not from some one I know. Plus never tap a link ur not 100%about
I was contacted by a Adam Jerry that said he s taking care of the winnings of Michael Weirsky and he's giving 500.000 out to 10 people I geuss I'm the first I don't know.
I was added to a groupchat with people I don't know, and there was a message. It was from the lottery winner, Johnnie Taylor. The message looked legit, but I don't know how the put my number in a drawing. This information was very helpful. Thankyou.
This is a text I received from another scammer. "Mr Edward won 2.04 billion in the powerball and is giving away/donated $500,000.00 to a selected 50 people". And it's ONLY $100 to proceed & have the money sent to you. 🙄
Yes that's what I thought it's not the first time I being approached send gift card for winning so I'm walking away
I got a text about a 2020 powerball winner wanting to give out money. Asked for name and address. I asked why almost 5 yrs later?
I'm getting 500000 from NY lottery winner I'm one of 200 people ya.
I have been dealing with Mr. David Jeramie who said the new lottery winner is giving me $100’000
I just lost a lot of money.
Do not give any money to David Jeramie. He pretends to be helping the new Portland Lottery winner help people but he’s not he’s scamming me and now everyone in my phone book.
Yes, I have been contacted by someone who wants me to pay him $150 in gift cards to get my $50,000.
Of course, he says don't tell anyone.
I have not sent any money.