‘Win an iPhone 7’ Facebook Survey Scam
The original site is no longer online; links go to the Internet Archive copy.
What the fact-checkers found
Image: © ifeelstock/Depositphotos.com
According to a “Hot-Giveaways” post that is being shared on Facebook, you can win an iPhone 7 by liking and sharing, adding the comment “I want an iPhone7!”, and visiting a link.
However, the post is a scam. No iPhones are being given away and those who participate have no chance of winning anything at all.
If you like, share, and comment as instructed, you will help the scammers gain more victims by promoting the fraudulent post to your friends. And, if some of your friends also like, share, and comment, the fake post can spread rapidly across Facebook accumulating many new victims as it travels.
If you then click the link in the hope of claiming your prize, your will be taken to a webpage that asks you to supply your name and address details, ostensibly so that your free iPhone can be delivered. After submitting the “delivery” form, you will then be told that you must complete an offer to get your iPhone. Links to various offers will appear on the page.
These links open various third-party offer and survey websites that promise the chance to win further prizes in exchange for providing your name and contact information. But, the information you supply will be shared with site sponsors and marketing companies. So, you will soon begin receiving unwanted and annoying phone calls, text messages, emails, and letters peddling a range of dubious products and services.
The scammers who created the bogus iPhone giveaway will earn a commission each time somebody provides personal details on one of the third-party websites.
Moreover, via the bogus delivery form, the scammers also have the means to contact you directly via email or surface mail. In some cases, they may contact people and try to trick them into sending money to cover supposed delivery or processing fees for the – non-existent – free iPhone. Or they may use the contact details to try to draw victims into other types of scams.
Got a similar message?
Paste it into the detector and see whether it matches a known hoax.
Check a similar messageRelated fact-checks
Browse the archive →‘Product Testing UK’ Facebook Survey Scam
The messages and associated Facebook Page are part of a survey scam. The ‘Application Form’ link takes users to suspect third-party survey websites that ask them to provide personal information to go in the draw for various prizes.
Yet Another iPhone Giveaway Like-Farming Scam
No iPhones are being given away and there are no winners. The post is a typical like-farming scam designed to gather as many likes as possible in the shortest possible time.
‘Missed Message From Apple’ Survey Scam Email
The email is not from Apple and clicking the link will not open a missed Apple message. The message is a scam designed to trick you into submitting your personal information on suspect ‘prize offer’ websites.
iPhone X Giveaway Facebook Scam
A Facebook Page called “iPhone X” is supposedly giving away 50 iPhone X phones to users who like, share, and comment with their desired phone colour.