Is Publix giving away free $10 off coupons to celebrate the grand opening of 5 new stores? The answer is no. If you like, share, and comment on a Facebook post that says otherwise you won’t win anything and are putting yourself in harms way.
Like-framing scams and advance fee fraud are common concerns on Facebook these days. Every day new scams are created in order to obtain likes and trick Facebook users into believing they won something (or can obtain something) they did not. Scammers will generally attempt to deceive Facebook users into thinking they won something such as cash, cars, electronics, tickets to theme parks, coupons, and cars so that they can send the victims a message and ask them for an advanced payment. The scammer might claim the advanced payment is for shipping or another reason. Once the payment is paid by the victim the scammer simply moves on to the next target. This type of operation is called advanced fee fraud and it happens all the time on Facebook.
There are many fake Publix Facebook accounts and pages. The fake accounts and pages are used to conduct scams. One of the most recent scams claims that Publix is giving away a free $10 coupon to Facebook users who like a post, share the post, and comment “Done” on their post. However, this is not true. In reality, you won’t win anything if you do anything the post says.
Here’s an example of what a post might look like:
PUBLIX is Providing each family with a FREE $10 OFF Coupon to celebrate the grand opening of 5 new Stores! Simply Like & Share this post. And Comment Done!
We will Inbox your coupon Right Away!
This is an obvious scam that was posted by a fake Publix Facebook page. You can find the real and verified Walt Disney World Park Facebook page here.
ALSO SEE: Oprah Winfrey is not giving away prizes to Facebook users
Once a Facebook user shares the fraudulent post, likes the post, and comments on the post they become a target. The scammers will then contact them and tell them that they won a prize and in order to receive the prize they must pay a fee (for shipping or other reason). Once the fee is paid the scammer will then avoid the target and the target will be left with a hole in their pocket. This is how advanced fee fraud is orchestrated on the social network every day.
What to do if you fell for a scam
Do not share or like the post. This only promotes it to more people which is how these scams are usually spread in the first place. If you did, visit your activity and unlike the post.
If you completed online surveys associated there is not much that you can do. However, if you supplied your personal banking or credit information to a survey it is strongly suggested to contact your bank or credit institution for assistance.
If you sent an advanced payment in order to receive a prize contact your bank or credit card and file a claim against the transaction. Explain to your bank or the credit card company what happened in order to receive assistance for the matter.
If you used an online payment service to make an advanced payment contact them and let them know what happened. It is possible that you will be able to receive your money back from them.
Furthermore, terminate all association with the Facebook page. Unlike the Facebook page, report the Facebook page, tell friends that you might have tagged about the scam, and even change your Facebook password for safe measure.
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