Facebook scams don’t look like “scams” anymore. They look like a friendly giveaway. A $500 gift card. A shopping spree. A simple “Congrats!” comment that makes you feel lucky — and a quick nudge to hop into Messenger to “confirm” or “share to enter.”
So before you tap that link, do the 60-second check below. It can save you from losing your account, your money, or both.
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What’s Happening
Scammers are posting fake $250–$500 gift card / shopping spree promos on Facebook and then pushing people into Messenger to click a link, “confirm,” or “share to enter.” Just today, H-E-B (Texas-based company that operates a large chain of grocery stores) warned customers about exactly this kind of Facebook gift-card scam and said legit promos won’t ask for sensitive info or require sharing through Messenger.
And it’s not just one brand. This is a “copy-paste” scam template scammers reuse with any trusted name.
The 60-second “Is this a scam?” test
Before you click anything, run this quick checklist:
1) The “share this with friends” rule
If a promo says “Share this to claim/enter” or “Send to 10 people,” treat it as a scam. Real companies don’t need chain messages to give you a prize.
2) The Messenger pressure rule
If the comments say “Message us ‘DONE’” or you get pushed into Messenger fast, pause. Scammers love private chats because fewer people can warn you.
3) The link rule (most important)
Don’t click the link inside the post/message. Instead:
- Go to the company’s official website/app yourself.
- Or check the company’s verified social account.
4) The “login required” red flag
If the link asks you to “log in to Facebook” again, enter personal details, or pay a “small shipping fee”… that’s often the real goal: stealing your login or your money.
5) The “too perfect” page check
Scam pages often look real at first glance—logo, photos, even comments. But look for:
- weird page name spelling,
- brand-new page history,
- no real customer service links,
- lots of identical “Congrats! You won!” comments.
Why You’re Seeing More of This Right Now
Holiday season = people are busy, shopping, and moving fast. That’s the perfect environment for scams to spread through social apps and “too good to be true” deals. Meta also says it’s actively fighting scam content across its apps (Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp), including takedowns of scam ads and scam accounts—because the volume is huge.
If You Clicked (or Entered Info), Do This Immediately
Don’t panic, but move fast:
- Change your Facebook password (and your email password too if you reuse passwords anywhere).
- Turn on two-factor authentication for Facebook.
- Check your logged-in sessions/devices and log out of anything you don’t recognize.
- If you entered card/bank info: call your bank/card issuer right away and ask what to freeze/replace.
- Report the post/page in Facebook so fewer people get hit.
Futureproof helps you spot digital dangers early by monitoring for data leaks and showing what needs fixing—so you’re not guessing, and you’re not finding out the hard way.
Bonus Tip: If You Shop on Facebook Marketplace, Read This First
Marketplace is useful, but it attracts scammers. The FTC and AARP both warn about classic patterns like overpayment tricks, fake payment confirmations, moving you off-platform, and pushing unusual payment methods.
Simple Marketplace safety rules:
- Meet in a public place (many people use police-station safe zones).
- Don’t pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or “refundable” weird methods.
- If someone rushes you, threatens you, or “needs you to verify a code,” step back.
The Bottom Line: A Real Giveaway Never Needs Your Login
Here’s the truth: scammers don’t need to “hack” Facebook to win. They just need you to react fast — click the link, “confirm,” share it in Messenger, and hand over the one thing they’re actually after: access.
So take this with you as a simple rule you can trust: real brands don’t ask for your login, sensitive info, or Messenger sharing to enter a promotion. H-E-B has said this clearly — and it’s the easiest filter you can use in the moment.
If a “giveaway” tries to rush you, isolate you in a private chat, or dangle a prize to make you stop thinking — it’s not a reward. It’s bait. Pause for 60 seconds, verify the offer on the company’s official site, and keep scrolling.
At Futureproof, Kevin makes online safety feel human with clear steps, real examples, and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
