Don’t Fall for the FAKE Cadbury Christmas Hamper Scam

Photo of author

Written by: Thomas Orsolya

Published on:

The holiday season is a time full of joy, celebrations, and of course, chocolate! What better way to get into the festive spirit than with a Cadbury Christmas Hamper packed with delicious chocolates and treats? Well, scammers know that is exactly what we’re dreaming of this Christmas, and they are using clever fake giveaways on social media to take advantage of us.

Cadbury Rewards Scam

Overview of the Scam

The holiday season is prime time for scammers to take advantage of our desire for festive treats and generosity. One such scam that emerges every year involves fake Cadbury Christmas chocolate hamper giveaways on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

This cunning scam starts when happy looking posts or ads pop up in your feed congratulating you on winning a Cadbury hamper packed with chocolates and sweets. The messages are carefully crafted to convince you to click on a link to claim your prize, making it seem like the giveaway is from reputable brands like Food Network or news outlets. However, the links actually redirect to phishing websites designed to steal personal and financial information from victims.

Hundreds of unsuspecting social media users fall for these fake Cadbury hamper promotions every holiday season. In 2022 alone, over 5,000 complaints were registered about this scam in the UK, with victims reporting stolen credit card details and subscription fees charged without consent. The scam messages are sent out randomly en masse, hoping to hook as many people as possible.

Cadbury Rewards scam 2

Scammers rely on the festive joy of giveaways and our love for chocolate brands like Cadbury to lure people in. The hamper ads use holiday themes and feature photos of large gift baskets overflowing with Cadbury chocolates to attract attention. Unfortunately, once people click through, enter their details and pay the $9.95 shipping, the only things that arrive are unwanted charges and headaches.

Some examples of this scam caught last year include:

  • Facebook posts pretending to be Food Network, offering users a hamper for answering a holiday survey.
  • Instagram DMs and stories tagging users and saying they won for being a Loyal Cadbury Customer.
  • TikTok videos featuring accounts pretending to be Cadbury, telling viewers to click the link in the bio to claim their prize hamper.
  • WhatsApp messages pretending to be from CNN, providing a link to redeem a hamper you have won.

The scam works because the initial social media posts look authentic, with verified logos and effective messaging. But the landing pages they link to are phishing sites only made to steal data. This highlights how vital it is to be vigilant this holiday season and always verify giveaways directly with brands before providing any information online.

How the Scam Works

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the Cadbury Christmas Hamper scam operates:

  1. You see a post on social media: It may be a Facebook ad, Instagram story, or TikTok video congratulating you on winning a Cadbury Hamper. The messages often pretend to be from trusted sources like Food Network, CNN, NBC or even Cadbury directly.
  2. The message provides a link to claim your prize: The post will direct you to click on a link to collect your hamper. The link seems to go to legitimate websites like Food Network or news sites. However, they actually route to fake look-alike sites operated by scammers.
  3. Fake notification sites ask for your personal information: On arriving at the scam website, you are greeted with more messages about winning and asked to provide personal details like your name, address, phone number, and email ID to verify your identity.
  4. You are asked to pay a small shipping fee: Next, you are told to make a small $9.95 or $9.96 payment as shipping and handling fees to receive your prize hamper. The scammers often ask for credit card information to process this payment.
  5. No hamper arrives, but your credit card is charged for recurring subscriptions: Unfortunately, entering your card information signs you up for expensive monthly subscription services without your consent. The scammers make money through these recurring credit card charges while you never receive any chocolate hamper.

What to Do if You Fell for the Scam

If you entered your personal or financial details into one of these scam websites, here are some important steps to take right away:

  • Call your credit card company and bank to flag any suspicious charges or transactions. Ask them to reverse any monthly subscription fees charged by scammers. Cancel the credit card and request a new one if needed.
  • Change passwords on all your online accounts as scammers may have accessed passwords through phishing. Make sure to use updated, strong passwords.
  • Beware of any new messages about the original Hamper prize or refund offers. Scammers often follow up the initial scam with more messages to get more money or information.
  • Report fake profiles or posts to the social media platforms where you first saw them, like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. This helps them remove scams faster.
  • Sign up for a credit monitoring service to catch any signs of identity theft early. Scammers may use your personal details to open accounts in your name.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cadbury Christmas Hamper Scam

1. What is the Cadbury Christmas hamper scam?

The Cadbury Christmas hamper scam is a phishing scam where scammers send fake social media posts and messages pretending to offer free Cadbury chocolate hampers. The messages contain links that lead to fake websites asking for your personal and financial information.

2. How does the Cadbury chocolate hamper scam work?

The scam begins with a convincing social media post, email, or text message congratulating you on winning a Cadbury hamper. You are provided a link and asked to pay a small shipping fee of $9.95-$9.96 to claim the prize. The links lead to fake websites that steal your information and sign you up for unwanted subscriptions.

3. What are some examples of fake Cadbury hamper scam messages?

Some examples of fake messages used in this scam include:

  • Facebook ads or Instagram posts pretending to be from Food Network or news sites like CNN.
  • TikTok videos that claim you won a Cadbury hamper from a holiday giveaway.
  • Emails or WhatsApp messages directly telling you that you won and containing a link to claim your prize.
  • Posts using your name and congratulating you on becoming the lucky winner.

4. What information do the scammers ask for?

The fake Cadbury Hamper websites ask for personal information like your name, home address, phone number, and email ID. They also request credit card details, saying it is to process a small $9.95 shipping payment.

5. What happens after you submit your information?

After collecting your data, the scammers use it to make unauthorized charges to your credit card. They enroll you in expensive monthly subscription services without consent. No chocolate hamper ever gets shipped, and your information is used for identity theft.

6. How can you protect yourself from the Cadbury hamper scam?

To avoid falling for the scam, remember to:

  • Verify hamper offers directly with Cadbury before clicking on links or providing info.
  • Check for the blue verification tick on social media accounts.
  • Watch for poor grammar, spelling errors, or sketchy website addresses.
  • Never pay any shipping fees to claim sweepstakes or giveaway prizes.
  • Report suspicious accounts or posts to social media platforms.

7. What should you do if you fell victim to the scam?

If you entered your details, immediately contact your bank to reverse any unauthorized charges. Change passwords on online accounts and sign up for credit monitoring to detect any misuse of your information. Avoid opening any new messages related to the hamper as they could be follow-up phishing attempts.

8. How can Cadbury chocolate hamper scams be avoided in the future?

Being vigilant about verifying promotions, using strong passwords, avoiding opening unsolicited messages, and reporting fake accounts can help avoid falling victim to these types of scams in the future. Brands like Cadbury also need to raise more awareness about these hoaxes.

9. Are there any legitimate Cadbury Christmas hamper giveaways?

Yes, Cadbury does run legitimate hamper giveaways and contests around Christmas. However, the only real way to enter is through their official website or verified social media channels. There are currently no legitimate giveaways running on third-party websites or through random social media messages.

10. Where can I learn more about identifying and avoiding scams?

To learn more about spotting and protecting yourself from phishing scams, you can visit consumer awareness sites like BBB.org or USA.gov. You can also search online for recent scam alerts and advice from your local consumer protection agencies.

The Bottom Line

The Cadbury Christmas Hamper scam shows why we have to be extra careful during the holidays. Verify giveaway posts directly with brands before clicking on any links. Report suspicious offers or accounts to social media sites right away. If you do fall victim, act quickly to minimize the damage. With vigilance and caution, we can spot even the most convincing hamper giveaway scams.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    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.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    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.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    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."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    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.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    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.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    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.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    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.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    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.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    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.

Leave a Comment

Previous

LuxiHeat Heater – Scam or Legit? Read This Before Buying It

Next

Exposing the ATO Tax Refund Text Scam Targeting Australians