How to spot fake giveaways and prize offers on social media

Scroll through any social media app and you will see posts announcing giveaways: free airtime, cash gifts, phones and even cars. A few are real promotions from known brands. Many are traps that aim to steal your details, your money or your friends' attention.

Common types of fake offers

• "Share to win": you must share a post with many contacts, often so that scammers can reach more people.
• Pay-to-claim prizes: you "won" but must pay a small fee for delivery or tax.
• Fake accounts of real brands: a profile copies a company's logo and name but is not verified.
• Survey links: a quick survey promises a reward but collects your personal information.
• Impersonation of celebrities: someone pretends to be a well-known person giving away money.

Warning signs

1. You did not enter any contest.
2. You must pay something to receive a prize.
3. The account has few followers, many typos or was created recently.
4. The post pressures you to act fast.
5. You are asked for your PIN, OTP, BVN or card details.

How to check

Go to the brand's official website or verified page and see whether the promotion is listed there. Look for the verification badge, but do not rely on it alone, because impersonators can also try to copy it. Read the comments carefully, since scammers often fill them with fake "I received it!" replies.

What to do

• Do not click suspicious links or share the post.
• Do not send money or give personal details.
• Report the post or account using the app's reporting tool.
• Warn friends and family who may be tempted.

If you already responded

If you gave your password, change it immediately and turn on two-step verification. If you shared bank or card details, contact your bank and ask to block or monitor the account. Keep screenshots as evidence.

A simple rule

Real prizes do not charge you to collect them. If something seems too good to be true, it almost always is.

Staying calm and checking before you act is the best protection against these tricks.

Written by the EarnNaija team at EarnNaija Digital Technologies.

This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Earnings are never guaranteed. See our fees page for the exact costs.