Don’t Fall for the FAKE $8000 Bi-Lo Christmas Gift Card Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
The holidays are meant to be filled with joy, but scammers see this as the perfect time to take advantage of people’s generosity and desire to win prizes. One prevalent scam making its way across social media this season claims to offer a Bi-Lo gift card worth $8000. However, these online ads and promotions are completely fake, designed to steal money and personal information.
In this article, we will break down exactly how the Bi-Lo gift card scam works, provide tips to identify it, and give advice if you unfortunately fell victim. Stay vigilant this holiday season so you can spot and avoid this fraudulent scheme.
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Overview of the Scam
Here is hoThe Bi-Lo gift card scam is a deceptive technique used by scammers to defraud social media users during the holiday season. This online con takes advantage of people’s desire for free giveaways and discounts by promoting fake $8000 gift card offers attributed to the southeastern supermarket chain.
Here is how the fraudulent Bi-Lo gift card promotion typically works:
First, sponsored social media ads are placed on platforms like Facebook and Instagram announcing a Bi-Lo gift card worth $8000 up for grabs. Using Bi-Lo’s official branding and logos, the ads seem credible and entice users to click to claim the prize.
After clicking the ad, victims are redirected to elaborate fake news websites impersonating media brands like CNN, NBC, and Food Network. These pages feature fictional stories of individuals who recently won the $8000 Bi-Lo card, including specific details to lend legitimacy.
At the end of the phony articles, prominent “Claim My Offer” buttons urge readers to take action to redeem their own Bi-Lo gift card. When clicked, the buttons lead to sketchy third-party websites unaffiliated with Bi-Lo.
On these external sites, users are prompted to fill out forms with personal information like their name, address, contact details, and credit card number, all under the guise of securing the advertised $8000 prize.
In reality, victims who submit their payment information are automatically signed up for recurring monthly subscription fees to services they did not want or agree to. Monthly charges of $10 to $40 appear from shady vendors billing for mystery shopping memberships, ebooks, gaming apps, adult content, and other unnecessary products.
Meanwhile, users never receive any Bi-Lo gift card or monetary reward. The entire promotion was an elaborate hoax designed to collect user data and credit card numbers to defraud victims under the guise of a free holiday giveaway.
Let’s explore this holiday scam targeting Bi-Lo shoppers more in depth.
How the Bi-Lo Gift Card Scam Works Step-by-Step
By understanding each step of the Bi-Lo gift card scam, you can better identify red flags to avoid being defrauded this holiday season.
1. Fake Social Media Ads Promising a $8000 Card
The scam begins with sponsored social media ads offering a Bi-Lo gift card worth $8000. Using Bi-Lo’s logos and brand imagery, the promotions appear credible. Headlines entice users to claim the prize:
“Congrats! $8000 Bi-Lo Card Could Be Yours!”
“Click Here to Claim Your $8000 Bi-Lo Gift Card!”
“Bi-Lo Awards $8000 Gift Cards to Lucky Customers – Get Yours Now!”
The ads target Bi-Lo shoppers with interests and demographics associated with the supermarket chain.
2. Clicking the Ad Goes to Fake News Websites
When users click on the social media ads, they are redirected to convincing fake news websites impersonating trusted brands. For example, a site may pretend to be “CNN Business” or “Food Network News” with headlines like:
“South Carolina Man Wins $8000 Bi-Lo Card – You Can Too!”
“Bi-Lo Teams Up with NBC to Give Away $8000 Gift Cards”
These pages feature fake stories about individuals winning the card, including details like their name, age, town, and backstory. This lends credibility to the scam.
3. Prompts to “Claim Your Offer”
At the end of the fraudulent news articles, prominent buttons entice users to take action to claim the $8000 Bi-Lo prize for themselves. The buttons urge readers to “Claim My Offer” or “Click Here to Redeem Gift Card.”
When clicked, the buttons redirect users away from the fake news sites to external domains run by scammers.
4. Fake Registration Forms Request Personal Details
On the scam sites, users are prompted to fill out online registration forms with their personal and contact information in order to “claim” their Bi-Lo gift card. Details requested include full name, home address, phone number, email address, and credit card information.
Of course, the promised $8000 prize does not exist. But this provides scammers the data needed to enroll victims in unwanted subscription services.
5. Credit Cards Billed for Unwanted Subscriptions
After submitting payment information, victims find their cards automatically billed $10 to $40 monthly for services they never signed up for or wanted. These can include things like:
Mystery shopping clubs
Discount ebook and magazine subscriptions
Adult content sites
Gaming apps and memberships
Other unnecessary products and services
Meanwhile, users never receive any Bi-Lo gift card or prize. The entire promotion was fake.
What to Do If You Fell for the Bi-Lo Gift Card Scam
If you suspect you were tricked by the Bi-Lo gift card con, take these steps to halt further financial loss and recover lost funds:
Act Quickly to Stop Recurring Charges
Call your credit card company immediately to report the charges as fraudulent. Cancel your compromised card and request a new one.
Identify any scam third-party sites that billed you. Visit them to cancel unwanted subscriptions if possible.
Monitor your credit reports for any signs of identity theft. Change passwords on breached accounts.
Dispute Fraudulent Transactions
Formally dispute the bogus charges with your credit card provider and ask to be reimbursed. Provide transaction dates and details.
Under consumer protection policies, card issuers will likely refund disputed amounts after investigating. Follow up if claims are initially rejected.
Avoid Paying Recovery Scams
Ignore “customer service” numbers promising to refund your money for an upfront fee. Only call verified numbers.
Do not pay anyone requesting gift cards or other unusual payment methods. These are scammers.
Warn Others About This Scam
Share your experience to help prevent others from falling victim too. Report fake ads, sites and accounts when you come across them.
Stay vigilant this holiday season and remember – if an online offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts to protect yourself from scams.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bi-Lo $8000 Gift Card Scam
1. How does the Bi-Lo gift card scam work?
The scam begins with fake social media ads offering a $8000 Bi-Lo gift card. Clicking the ad goes to a fraudulent news site about winners. You are prompted to “Claim Your Offer” which leads to a third-party site asking for personal and payment info. This signs you up for unwanted monthly subscriptions, charging your card without consent. No gift card is received.
2. What platforms are the scam ads found on?
The deceptive promotions are placed on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms. They target Bi-Lo shoppers in the southeastern US where the supermarket chain operates.
3. What do the fake news websites look like?
The scam news pages impersonate trusted media brands like CNN, NBC, and Food Network. They have fake articles about individuals winning $8000 Bi-Lo gift cards to seem credible.
4. What information is requested on the third-party sites?
The external scam websites ask for your full name, address, phone, email, and credit card details, claiming it is to process your Bi-Lo prize. In reality, it only collects data and pays for unwanted subscriptions.
5. What types of charges appear on victims’ cards?
After entering payment information, monthly fees of $10 – $40 show up for mystery shopping services, ebooks, gaming apps, adult sites, and other useless subscriptions victims never agreed to.
6. How can victims cancel recurring charges and recover lost money?
Contact your card company immediately to dispute all fraudulent charges. Cancel your compromised card and monitor statements. Check credit reports for any signs of identity theft from the breach.
7. How can you avoid Bi-Lo gift card scams in the future?
Be suspicious of prize offers requiring upfront payments or urgent action. Verify deals directly with Bi-Lo before providing any personal or financial details. Avoid entering info on unfamiliar third-party websites.
8. Are there other major retailers used in similar gift card scams?
Yes, scammers also impersonate major chains like Walmart, Target, Amazon, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Kroger in free gift card scams. Always confirm directly with the company if an offer seems suspicious before taking action.
The Bottom Line
The Bi-Lo $8000 gift card giveaway scam takes advantage of people’s trust, desire for deals, and generosity during the holidays. But understanding how this bait-and-switch fraud works allows consumers to spot red flags and avoid handing over their money or personal information.
When promotions require upfront fees, taxes, or urgent action, exercise caution. Only enter payment details on trusted sites, and verify questionable offers directly with the named company. Protect yourself from scams this holiday season with awareness and smart practices.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
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Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
