Uncovering the Truth About the Viral H&M Reviewer Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Want to get paid and score free H&M vouchers for reviewing clothes? Social media ads promising this tantalizing opportunity have gone viral, but the reality is much darker.
A highly deceptive scam is utilizing the popular fashion brand’s name to bait unsuspecting shoppers. This con ensnares victims through bogus “clothing reviewer” offers designed to harvest data and expose people to unwanted charges.
With convincing fake ads and lookalike websites, scammers are aggressively impersonating H&M to peddle their phony rewards program. Once they reel users in with the chance at gift cards, the crooks get access to email addresses and personal information.
From there, things only get shadier as victims encounter pushy third-party “offers” aimed at driving up profits for the fraudsters. H&M has confirmed that these too-good-to-be-true ads are completely unauthorized and fake.
So what’s really behind this trending social scam? Let’s unravel the clever scheme and equip ourselves to stay two steps ahead of these hustlers. Knowledge is power against manipulation, so keep reading to uncover the truth…
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An Overview of the Scam
This scam is being spread far and wide through social media ads and messages directing victims to fake H&M websites. The fraudulent sites pretend to offer opportunities to become an H&M “clothing reviewer” and receive gift cards worth hundreds of pounds for shopping. However, it is all an elaborate ruse to steal personal information and money.
The offers typically claim that H&M needs regular people to review their clothes and provide feedback. In exchange, they promise rewards like £750 gift cards that can be used for future H&M purchases.
The ads are formatted to look official with H&M branding and stock images. They use enticing headlines like “Get Paid to Shop at H&M!” or “Become an H&M VIP Reviewer”. Some also include fake reviews with people raving about how easy it was to get free vouchers.
To lend credibility, some versions falsely claim the opportunity is only available to residents of certain countries like the UK, USA, Canada or Australia. Others say there is limited availability with only a certain number of reviewer spots open. These tactics convince victims they are accessing an exclusive deal.
Once individuals click on the link, they are taken to a fake H&M website. The scam sites closely mimic the look of hm.com using copied elements like fonts, colors, navigation menus, logos, and stock photos. But the URL will be slightly different, often containing “hmreview” or “clothingreviewer”.
On the fraudulent site, users are prompted to enter their email address to register as a reviewer. They are led to believe this will initiate the process of H&M sending free clothes and gift cards. But in reality, it only gives scammers access to contact info.
Immediately after submitting an email, victims receive messages guiding them through more steps to “redeem” the promised rewards. These subsequent pages trick users into entering personal information, signing up for SMS messages, downloading suspicious apps, or completing “free trial” offers.
H&M has confirmed none of these sites or offers are associated with them in any way. They are not currently operating any program for consumers to review products in exchange for gift cards. The scam is simply deceptive marketing from unknown fraudsters misusing the brand.
Some examples of the specific scam websites and campaigns reported include:
Hamreviews.com – Claims to offer £750 gift cards for reviewing 2-3 products. Prompts email submission to register.
Dashingreviews.com – Promises extra rewards if you refer friends. Requires completing offers to unlock gift card.
Official H&M Reviewer Portal – Telegram channel pretends to provide reviewer opportunities. Links lead to data harvesting surveys.
H&M Clothing Tester Jobs – Fake Facebook ads use imagery of gift cards and claim limited reviewer spots available.
VIP H&M Review Program – WhatsApp messages pretend to be from an H&M employee recruiting for secret shopper opportunities.
These sites or offers may change or evolve over time as scammers alter tactics. But the same steady stream of scams continues to impersonate H&M in order to access user data and expose them to various subscription scams or malware downloads.
The fake rewards they dangle like gift cards or shopper perks never materialize. Ultimately, the H&M name is simply being hijacked by dishonest marketers to mislead consumers for profit.
How the H&M Reviewer Scam Actually Works
Now that you know the basic premise, let’s break down exactly how the scammers operate the clothing reviewer con step-by-step:
Step 1: Scam Ads on Social Media
The scam begins with ads posted on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. The ads use eye-catching images of H&M clothing and gift cards. Headlines promise users they can earn up to £750 for reviewing clothes.
To lend credibility, the ads use H&M branding and legal disclaimers like “Limit 5 per household”, making it seem official. Some versions pretend to be posted by influencers sharing a “secret way” to get free H&M vouchers.
Step 2: Fake H&M Reviewer Website
Once users click the link in the ads, they are taken to a website dressed up to look like the real H&M site. However, upon inspection, the URL clearly does not belong to H&M.
The scam site uses a URL slightly altered from hm.com, often containing the words “reviewer”, “rewards”, “vip”, or “gifts”. For example:
hmvipreviewers.com
hm-reviewrewards.com
clothingreviewerhm.com
These sites mimic the visual design of the real H&M site using copied images and logos. This tricks users into thinking they are in the right place to sign up as a reviewer.
Step 3: Submit Email to Get Started
The fake site prompts visitors to enter their email address to register as a clothing reviewer. Users are led to believe this will start the process of shipping them free products to review.
In reality, submitting an email simply gives the scammers an active address to target. Almost immediately after registering, users receive an email telling them the next steps to earn their H&M gift card.
Step 4: Complete Deals, Surveys, or Downloads
The email directs recipients to another website or landing page to “verify eligibility” for the program. These pages require completing 2-3 “deals”, surveys, or downloads to unlock the rewards.
Examples of what users might be asked to do:
Take paid survey offers
Sign up for subscription services
Enter credit card info for “free trials”
Download and install unknown apps
Subscribe to SMS services
Provide personal information
None of these offers are actually associated with H&M in any way. They are designed to generate illicit profits for scammers through commissions, stolen personal info, and unwanted charges.
Step 5: No Gift Card is Ever Sent
After jumping through hoops on scam offer pages, users expect H&M to make good on sending the promised £750 gift card. Unfortunately, it never arrives.
The H&M clothing reviewer scam ultimately only exists to harvest email addresses and expose victims to affiliate offers, malware, and data theft. No free products or rewards are ever dispensed.
Recognizing This Type of Scam
While the H&M scam may seem convincing at first glance, there are some clear indicators that should raise red flags:
Requirement to complete third-party offers – Legitimate market research would never involve unrelated paid subscriptions or downloads.
Asking for personal information – H&M would never request sensitive personal or financial details just to ship products for review.
Poor grammar/spelling – Phishing sites often contain typos and other textual errors that the real brand would not have.
Scam URL – Double check that any link matches the real hm.com domain.
No verification of identity – H&M would properly vet reviewers, not blindly ship high-value packages to any email address.
Essentially, if it seems too good to be true, it always is. Real rewards programs require more than just an email address to earn hundreds in gift cards. Judge every step of the process with skepticism before providing the scammers what they want.
What to Do If You Fell For the Clothing Reviewer Scam
If you already supplied your email or completed questionable third-party offers related to the H&M scam, here are the steps you should take right away:
Contact H&M customer service to notify them of the scam and use of their brand name. Provide details that could aid them in pursuing legal action.
Mark emails as spam or phishing. This trains your email provider to block future scam messages.
Run anti-virus software. Scan all devices used to visit scam sites or download files to check for malware.
Place fraud alerts and monitor your credit. If you shared financial information, alert your bank and credit agencies to watch for suspicious activity.
Change passwords on any sites that you accessed through the scam offers. Use strong, unique passwords for all important accounts.
Cancel or dispute unnecessary subscriptions or charges. Act swiftly to halt recurring fees from shady “free trial” offers. Notify your payment provider of possible fraud.
Be vigilant about sharing personal info going forward. The scammers may attempt to contact you again under different pretenses now that they have your email.
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.
The H&M reviewer scam takes advantage of people’s desire to get something for nothing. Here are some tips to avoid being bamboozled by fakes:
Beware of “free” offers requiring upfront information. Legitimate giveaways don’t make you jump through hoops, disclose personal/financial details, or complete sketchy offers before sending a prize.
Verify URLs match real brand domains. Scam sites use slight variations or misspellings. Double check that any link matches the official site.
Search online for similar scams. You’ll often find warnings about current cons on consumer protection sites. Knowledge is power.
Look for faulty grammar/design. Professional brands put more care into proper spelling, punctuation, graphics, and branding.
Report suspicious ads. Notify social platforms or Google about ads that seem like scams impersonating real companies.
Go directly to a company’s official site/channel. Don’t trust third-party ads promising deals. Verify directly with the brand if an offer is real.
Read terms and conditions. disambiguator Don’t just blindly click through. Actually take time to read the fine print to understand what you’re agreeing to.
Staying vigilant against increasingly sophisticated phishing ploys takes concerted effort. But avoiding online scams is far easier than trying to recover once your data or funds have been compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions About the H&M Reviewer Scam
1. How does the H&M reviewer scam work?
The scammers post ads on social media or messaging platforms promoting a fake opportunity to review H&M clothing for rewards. The ads convince victims to click suspicious links taking them to websites dressed up to look like official H&M pages. These scam sites tell users to input an email address to register as a product reviewer.
Soon after, victims receive messages guiding them through more steps to “redeem” promised gift cards. These later pages aim to harvest personal information or have users complete bogus offers. H&M confirms they are not associated with any such reviewer programs or offers.
2. What tricks do the scammers use?
The scam ads use fake H&M branding and stock photos to look real. Websites copy H&M’s visual design with slight URL variations like “hmreview”. They craft enticing messages promising easy free gift cards for reviewing products. False claims of limited spots or country restrictions create urgency. The goal is to quickly convince people to click and submit their email address.
3. What happens after submitting your email?
Right after registering at the fake review site, users receive messages to continue completing steps to get their promised rewards. These next pages have users complete “deals”, “surveys” or “free trials” by entering personal info, downloading apps, signing up for SMS lists, or similar activities. The goal is to generate illicit profits through harvested data, affiliate commissions, or subscription fees.
4. Do you actually get an H&M gift card?
No, users who comply with all steps of the scam never receive any H&M gift cards or products for review. The offers of free vouchers for being a reviewer are completely bogus. H&M is not distributing any rewards through third-party affiliate programs or offers.
5. How can you spot these fake H&M reviewer ads and sites?
Warning signs include unbelievable offers, artificial scarcity claims, incorrect URLs, poor grammar/spelling, or requests for personal info upfront. Real H&M pages have hm.com addresses. Legit rewards programs would never link out to shady third-party offers. Always verify directly with H&M if an ad seems suspicious.
6. What should you do if you already fell for the scam?
If you supplied any info, place fraud alerts, scan devices for malware, monitor credit reports, change passwords, and contact H&M to report the activity. Be vigilant about sharing data going forward now that scammers have your email. Report the ads or fake pages to have them removed.
7. How can you avoid these clothing reviewer scams?
Be wary of free offers requiring upfront info. Always verify URLs match real brand domains exactly. Search online for scam reports. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Report suspicious ads or offers instead of engaging. If it seems too good to be true, it always is.
8. Who is behind the fake H&M reviewer scam?
The entities behind these scams remain unknown, but they are fraudulent affiliate marketers misusing the H&M brand. They have no actual relationship with H&M and are simply impersonating the company to profit from stolen data and commissions.
The Bottom Line
The promise of easy money and free H&M vouchers is enticing bait. But there is no shortcut to getting hundreds in legit free gift cards. When an offer seems rife with red flags, trust your instincts.
No major retailer would authorize a random site to give away high-value rewards without oversight. By falling for the clothing reviewer scam, best case you’ll waste time on bait-and-switch surveys. Worst case they steal your information for identity theft.
If an unbelievable deal lands in your inbox, don’t get lured in. Report fake ads, warn others, and delete suspicious messages.
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.
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.
