“Become a Chipotle reviewer and receive a $100 gift card!” If you’ve seen this offer online, in an ad, or shared on social media, it likely caught your attention. The promise of free food and easy rewards is tempting. But what appears to be a generous promotion is actually part of a growing digital scam.
The Chipotle Reviewer Gift Card Scam is designed to deceive users into thinking they are participating in a legitimate product review program in exchange for a gift card. In reality, these fraudulent sites are collecting personal information, profiting from affiliate deals, and exposing users to potential financial risk.
This article explores how this scam works in detail, why it’s so effective, and what to do if you’ve already been caught in the trap. If you or someone you know has encountered a “Chipotle Reviewer” offer, this guide will help you stay informed and protected.
Scam Overview: The False Promise of a $100 Chipotle Gift Card
The Chipotle Reviewer scam is one of many schemes that use well-known brands to build trust and credibility with unsuspecting users. These scams promise users a high-value reward—usually in the form of a $100 Chipotle gift card—in exchange for completing a series of simple tasks, such as signing up for services or reviewing products.
Why It Looks Real
These scam websites are designed to closely mimic real promotional pages. You’ll often see:
Chipotle logos and color schemes
Clean, modern design layouts
A clear list of steps to follow (e.g., 1. Enter your email, 2. Complete offers, 3. Claim your gift card)
Progress bars and confirmation messages
Testimonials or “live” popups showing recent redemptions
The structure and presentation feel authentic, especially for users unfamiliar with how legitimate brand promotions work.
The Psychological Appeal
Scammers understand how to tap into psychological triggers. This particular scam targets:
Desire for free rewards: A $100 gift card for a few minutes of your time seems like a good trade.
Trust in familiar brands: People are more likely to click when they see a name they recognize, like Chipotle.
Urgency: You may see a countdown timer or “limited availability” alert pushing you to act fast.
Social Proof: Fake notifications or reviews show others “winning” the same reward.
The Hidden Motive
The scam’s true goal isn’t to give out gift cards. It’s to make money by:
Getting users to complete affiliate marketing offers
Harvesting personal data to sell to advertisers or other scammers
Driving app downloads that may contain malware or adware
Users think they’re participating in a legitimate program, but they’re actually being used to generate revenue for the site owners.
How the Chipotle Gift Card Scam Works
Understanding the mechanics behind this scam can help you recognize and avoid it. Below is a detailed look at how the operation unfolds:
Step 1: Attracting Victims
The scam starts with an ad or social media post that grabs attention:
“Get $100 in Chipotle credit for becoming a reviewer!”
“Chipotle wants your feedback—rewarded with free meals!”
These ads are often found on:
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
Google Ads
Low-reputation coupon and giveaway websites
They use urgent language and well-known logos to get clicks.
Step 2: Landing Page Setup
Clicking the ad takes you to a landing page, usually hosted on a domain not affiliated with Chipotle. The page might include:
A big call to action button (“Start Now” or “Claim Gift Card”)
Instructions like “Complete 3 Deals to Qualify”
Branding elements that mirror Chipotle’s website
No terms of service, contact information, or company credentials
It appears legitimate, but it lacks any legal disclosures or company accountability.
Step 3: Personal Data Collection
Before accessing your “reward,” the site requires you to:
Submit your name and email
Provide a phone number
Sometimes fill out a short survey about your shopping habits
This information is either sold to third-party marketers or used to enroll you in further scams.
Step 4: Offer Wall and Monetization
After the data submission, users are asked to complete a series of “verification” tasks or “sponsored deals.” These may include:
Signing up for subscription services (e.g., video streaming, meal kits)
Downloading and installing apps
Registering for sweepstakes or surveys
Starting free trials that require credit card info
Each completed offer earns an affiliate commission for the scam site. You, the user, get nothing in return—except maybe a hidden charge on your bank account.
Step 5: Never-Ending Progression
You may see:
Progress bars suggesting you’re close to earning the gift card
Messages like “2 of 3 deals completed!”
More offers after you complete the initial set
Some users report being told they didn’t complete the offers “correctly” and are encouraged to do more. This creates a loop that benefits only the scammer.
Step 6: Ghosting the Victim
Once the scammer has made their profit, the user is abandoned. You never receive:
A confirmation email
A gift card code
Any reply to your inquiries
Some victims are redirected to new sites or stuck in an endless series of affiliate offers.
What to Do If You Fell for the Chipotle Reviewer Scam
If you’ve engaged with one of these scam sites, it’s important to act quickly to protect your data and finances.
1. Close the Site and Clear Your Browser Data
Exit all tabs, then clear your browser history, cache, and cookies to remove any lingering scripts or trackers.
2. Change Passwords Immediately
If you used a password that’s shared with other accounts:
Change it right away
Use a unique, strong password for each site
Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
3. Check Your Bank and Credit Card Statements
If you entered payment information for a “trial offer,” watch for:
Unauthorized or recurring charges
Fees for subscriptions you didn’t intend to keep
Any unusual spending patterns
Dispute any questionable transactions with your financial institution.
4. Scan Your Devices
If you downloaded any apps or software during the scam:
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov
Chipotle customer support: Notify them that their branding is being misused
6. Unsubscribe and Block Spam
You may begin receiving an influx of emails, texts, and robocalls. To reduce impact:
Use your email provider’s spam filter
Unsubscribe where safe to do so
Block numbers and use spam call blockers
7. Consider Identity Theft Protection
If you entered your address, birthday, or sensitive details:
Freeze your credit with the three major bureaus
Sign up for identity monitoring services
Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized activity
8. Warn Others
Scammers thrive in silence. Share your experience:
On social media
In community forums
On consumer review sites like BBB or Trustpilot
Raising awareness can prevent others from becoming victims.
Is Your Device Infected? Scan for Malware
If your computer or phone is slow, showing unwanted pop-ups, or acting strangely, malware could be the cause. Running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is one of the most reliable ways to detect and remove harmful software. The free version can identify and clean common infections such as adware, browser hijackers, trojans, and other unwanted programs.
Malwarebytes works on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to scan your device and remove any malware that might be slowing it down.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
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
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows using the official link below. Malwarebytes will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software for free.
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Install Malwarebytes
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.
Once the scan completes, remove all detected threats. Your Windows computer should now be clean and running smoothly again, free of trojans, adware, 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:
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.
After scanning, delete any detected threats. Your Mac should now be free from adware, unwanted extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
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.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
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.
When the scan is finished, remove all detected threats. Your Android phone should now be free of malicious apps, adware, and unwanted browser redirects.
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.
After cleaning your device, it’s important to protect it from future infections and annoying pop-ups. We recommend installing an ad blocker such as AdGuard. AdGuard blocks malicious ads, prevents phishing attempts, and stops dangerous redirects, helping you stay safe while browsing online.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Chipotle Reviewer Gift Card Scam
Is the Chipotle Reviewer program real?
No. Chipotle is not running any official promotion that pays people to review food in exchange for gift cards. Any website claiming otherwise is likely a scam.
What does the scam actually do?
These sites collect your data, earn affiliate commissions when you complete offers, and may sign you up for paid services without your full knowledge. There is no reward.
Can I really get a $100 gift card from this offer?
No. Despite completing all the required steps, users never receive a gift card. It’s just a tactic to keep you engaged while scammers profit from your actions.
What if I only gave my email—am I still at risk?
Yes. Your email address may be sold to third-party marketers or used in phishing attempts. Be on the lookout for suspicious emails and don’t click links from unfamiliar senders.
Are these offers dangerous?
Some offers are linked to legitimate services, but others may:
Trick you into paid subscriptions
Contain malware
Require sensitive personal or financial information
How can I tell if an offer is fake?
Look for these red flags:
Requires you to complete unrelated offers
Uses urgent language or countdown timers
No real contact information or terms of service
Promises rewards without company verification
What should I do if I submitted payment info?
Contact your bank immediately. Cancel any unauthorized subscriptions and dispute charges. Monitor your statements for any further suspicious activity.
Can I report these scams?
Yes. Report them to the FTC, IC3, and Chipotle’s official customer service to help shut them down and protect others.
Is it safe to download apps from these sites?
Not always. Avoid downloading anything prompted by scam websites. Use trusted app stores and read reviews before installing any app.
How can I protect myself from scams like this?
Don’t trust offers that seem too good to be true
Verify promotions directly with the brand’s website
Use spam filters and antivirus software
Stay informed by reading scam warnings and consumer alerts
The Bottom Line
The Chipotle Reviewer Gift Card Scam is a classic example of modern digital fraud. It exploits brand recognition, urgency, and the promise of rewards to trick users into giving up personal data and completing revenue-generating actions. The sites look real, feel official, and are persuasive—but they’re entirely fake.
If you see any offer claiming you can earn money or rewards for minimal effort, always pause and verify. Legitimate companies do not require you to complete unrelated tasks or provide sensitive data in exchange for gift cards.
Stay vigilant. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
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.
