Don’t Fall for the FAKE H-E-B $8000 Christmas Giveaway Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, togetherness and giving. Unfortunately, scammers see it as an opportunity to take advantage of people’s generosity and desire to win prizes.
One scam making the rounds this year claims to offer an H-E-B gift card worth $8000. The ads appear on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, luring victims with promises of easy money. But this is a deceptive ploy to steal personal information and money.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly how the H-E-B gift card scam works, provide tips on how to spot it, and give advice for those worried they may have fallen victim. With awareness and caution, you can avoid this holiday headache.
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Overview of the Scam
The H-E-B gift card scam is a deceitful technique used by scammers to steal money and personal information from social media users. This con takes advantage of people’s desire for prizes and trust in brands by promoting fake $8000 giveaways.
The scam works in the following way:
First, sponsored ads are placed on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms offering an H-E-B gift card worth $8000. For example, some of the headlines read “Congrats! $8000 H-E-B Card Could Be Yours” or “Claim Your $8000 H-E-B Christmas Gift Card Now!”
The promotions use H-E-B’s official logo, fonts and brand imagery to appear credible.
When users click on the social media ads, they are redirected to convincing fake news websites designed to mimic trusted media like CNN, NBC, Food Network and more. For instance, a fraudulent site may pretend to be “CNN Money” with the headline “Woman Wins $8000 H-E-B Card from Food Network.”
These scam news pages continue the gift card narrative with fictional stories about individuals who won the prize. They include specific details like the person’s name, age, town and backstory to add legitimacy.
At the end of the fake article, a prominent button or link prompts users to take action. It says something like “Claim My Offer” or “Click Here to Redeem H-E-B Prize.” People are misled into believing they are verifying their eligibility to receive the advertised $8000 card.
In reality, the “Claim” button redirects to an external website run by scammers to harvest personal data and dupe users into unwanted subscriptions. These third-party sites have vague names like “BonusPath” or “ConsumerConnect” to hide their fraudulent nature.
The scam websites feature online forms asking users to input their full name, home address, phone number, email and credit card information. This is all under the guise of redeeming the imaginary H-E-B gift card prize.
Victims who fill in their payment details are automatically enrolled in recurring monthly subscriptions, clubs and services without consent. For example, they may be signed up for a useless mystery shopping club, adult content sites, ebook services or gaming apps.
Monthly fees ranging from $20 to $80 are repeatedly charged to the credit cards by the scammers. Meanwhile, users never receive an H-E-B gift card or any other promised prize.
By promoting fake free giveaways and impersonating trusted brands, scammers are able to defraud social media users out of money and sensitive personal data. Awareness of how this holiday scam works is key to spotting and avoiding it.
How the H-E-B Gift Card Scam Works Step-by-Step
Let’s break down the H-E-B gift card scam step-by-step to reveal all its deceptive tactics.
1. Scam Ads on Social Media
Around the holidays, sponsored ads appear on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms offering an H-E-B gift card worth $8000. The colorful, eye-catching ads are made to look like official H-E-B promotions. They use the company’s logos and brand images.
Headlines entice people to claim their prize:
“Congrats ! $8000 H-E-B Card Could Be Yours”
“H-E-B Awards $8000 Gift Cards to Lucky Shoppers”
“Claim Your $8000 H-E-B Christmas Gift Card Now!”
2. Clicking the Ad Brings Users to Fake News Pages
When people click on the social media ads, they are redirected to fake news websites made to look like Food Network, CNN, NBC and other legitimate brands.
These scam pages feature H-E-B branding and continue the gift card narrative with headlines like:
“Woman Wins $8000 H-E-B Card from Food Network”
“H-E-B Teams Up with CNN to Give Away $8000 Gift Cards”
The pages have a news story about a fictional person who won the H-E-B card. Details like the person’s name, age, and town help make the story seem credible.
These fake news sites are designed to look convincing. They use the official colors, fonts and logos of trusted brands. But small details are off, like incorrect web addresses or minor spelling and grammar errors.
3. Users prompted to “Claim My Offer”
The fake news story says there are still open slots to claim the $8000 H-E-B prize. At the end, a prominent button entices people to take action. It says something like “Claim My Offer.”
When people click the button, they are taken to a third-party website that has nothing to do with H-E-B, Food Network or any other legitimate company.
The scam sites use vague names like “BonusPath” or “ConsumerConnect.” Their purpose is to harvest personal information and sign people up for unwanted subscriptions.
4. Fake Registration Form Requests Personal and Payment Details
On the scam website, an online form asks people to enter their name, address, phone number and email to “claim” the fake H-E-B gift card.
After filling in contact information, it prompts users to enter credit card details, supposedly to cover a small $1 shipping and handling fee.
In fine print, the site discloses monthly billings for unwanted clubs and subscriptions people are automatically opted into when submitting payment info. But most people do not notice this, expecting to only pay a few dollars for the promised H-E-B prize.
5. Credit Cards Billed for Unwanted Subscriptions
When consumers enter their real payment information, the scammers behind the sites use it to sign them up for reoccurring bills.
The monthly charges are for things like:
Mystery shopping club
Discount ebook subscriptions
Adult content sites
Apps and games
The amounts range from $10 to $40 per month, adding up quickly.
Meanwhile, victims never receive an H-E-B gift card or any other prize. The entire giveaway was fabricated.
What to Do If You Fell for the H-E-B Gift Card Scam
Finding out you were deceived can be disheartening. But there are steps you can take to stop ongoing financial losses and refund recent payments.
Act Quickly to Avoid Further Charges
If you notice unexpected charges from unfamiliar companies, take action right away to avoid being billed again next month.
Call your credit card company to report the charges as fraudulent. Request to close the compromised card and have a new one reissued.
Look online or check your statements to identify the third-party scammer sites. Visit them to see if you can cancel the unwanted subscriptions directly.
Change passwords on any accounts using the same password as what you entered on the scam site. Monitor your inbox for further phishing attempts.
Dispute the Charges
Don’t pay for products or services you never authorized or received. Instead, contest them with your credit card issuer.
Formally dispute the fraudulent charges as soon as possible. Provide information on when/where the transactions occurred.
Most credit cards have policies that protect consumers from unauthorized billing. They will reimburse disputed amounts after investigating.
If the card company resolves the dispute in the scammer’s favor, escalate the issue and reaffirm you never signed up for or used the billed services.
Beware of Recovery Scams
Bogus “customer service” numbers may appear after being defrauded, promising to refund your money for an upfront fee. Ignore these – they are another scam. Only call verified numbers from your credit card statement.
Monitor Your Credit Reports
When personal data is compromised, it could be used to open fraudulent accounts. Routinely check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and notify the bureaus of suspected identity theft.
Warn Others About the Scam
Post on social media or tell loved ones about the H-E-B gift card scam so they don’t fall victim too. Report fake ads, sites and social media accounts to platforms when you come across them. The more awareness about the fraud, the less opportunity scammers have to keep perpetuating it.
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 H-E-B $8000 Gift Card Scam
1. How does the H-E-B gift card scam work?
The scam begins with fake social media ads promising a $8000 H-E-B gift card. Clicking the ad takes users to a fake news site claiming they won the prize. Users are prompted to click “Claim My Offer” which redirects them to a third-party website requesting personal and payment information. In reality, it signs people up for unwanted monthly subscriptions that are billed to their credit card. No gift card is ever received.
2. What platforms are the scam ads appearing on?
The deceptive ads have been seen on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms. They are targeted at users who live in the United States and frequent H-E-B grocery stores.
3. What tactic do the fake news pages use?
The scam news pages pretend to be from trusted brands like Food Network, CNN and NBC. They feature H-E-B branding and fictional stories of people winning $8000 gift cards. This builds credibility so users feel comfortable clicking “Claim My Offer.”
4. What personal information do they ask for?
The third-party websites request users’ full name, mailing address, phone number, email address and credit card information. This is all under the false pretense of claiming the advertised H-E-B prize.
5. How much are people charged?
After entering payment details, victims are signed up for monthly subscriptions, memberships and services without consent. Monthly charges ranging from $10 – $40 are billed to their cards by the scammers.
6. What types of unwanted services might someone be signed up for?
The fraudulent charges could be for mystery shopping clubs, ebook subscriptions, adult content, gaming apps, or other products/services. The third-party sites obscure details about what exactly people are paying for.
7. What should you do if you entered your information into one of these sites?
Immediately contact your credit card company to report the charges as fraudulent. Ask to close the compromised card and have a new one issued. Monitor your credit reports for signs of identity theft.
8. How can you get your money back if you paid any fees?
Dispute the fraudulent charges with your credit card company. Provide details on when and where the transactions occurred. Under consumer protections, card issuers will likely reimburse amounts paid to scammers.
9. How can you avoid falling for gift card scams in the future?
Be wary of prize offers requiring upfront fees, taxes or payments. Verify directly with H-E-B if a giveaway seems suspect. Avoid entering info on unfamiliar third-party websites. Trust your instincts if an offer seems too good to be true.
The Bottom Line
The H-E-B gift card giveaway scam takes advantage of people’s desire to win, trust in brands, and generosity during the holidays. But awareness of how it works allows consumers to spot red flags and avoid being defrauded.
Legitimate prizes never require upfront fees or personal/payment details. Verify offers directly with the named company before claiming. If pressured to act fast or one “lucky winner,” it’s likely a trick.
Trust your instincts. And never enter payment information on third-party sites you’re unfamiliar with, no matter the promised payout. This will keep the scammers at bay so you can focus on genuine holiday cheer.
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.
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.
