If you are a fan of Shein, the online fashion retailer that offers cheap and trendy clothing and accessories for women, men and kids, you may have seen some ads or messages claiming that you can get a free gift card or product from Shein by participating in a survey or a quiz. However, before you click on those ads or messages, you should be aware that they are part of a scam that aims to steal your personal and financial information. In this blog post, we will tell you what the Shein Summer Giveaway Scam is, how it works, and what you can do if you have been scammed by it.
What is the Shein Summer Giveaway Scam?
The Shein Summer Giveaway Scam is a fraudulent scheme that claims to offer free gift cards or products from Shein to people who participate in a survey or a quiz. The scam usually appears as a pop-up ad on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, or as an email or a text message. The scam may also use fake accounts or pages that pretend to be affiliated with Shein.
The scam promises that participants will receive a free gift card worth $500 or more, or a free product of their choice from Shein, after completing a few simple steps. However, these steps are designed to trick people into providing their personal and financial information, such as their name, address, phone number, email, credit card details, or bank account details. The scammers then use this information to steal money from the victims or to sell it to other criminals.
How does the Shein Summer Giveaway Scam work?
The Shein Summer Giveaway Scam works by exploiting the trust and curiosity of online shoppers who are looking for a good deal. The scam may use different tactics to entice people to click on the pop-up ad or the link in the email or text message. For example, the scam may claim that the offer is limited or exclusive, that it is only valid for a short time, or that it is part of a celebration or an anniversary.
Once people click on the ad or the link, they are taken to a fake website that looks similar to the official Shein website. The website may display the logo and the colors of Shein, as well as images of products and reviews from satisfied customers. The website may also ask people to verify their identity by logging in with their social media account or their email address.
The website then asks people to complete a survey or a quiz about their shopping preferences, their personal style, their favorite products from Shein, etc. The survey or the quiz may seem harmless and fun, but it is actually a way for the scammers to collect more information about the victims and to make them feel more engaged and invested in the process.
After completing the survey or the quiz, people are asked to choose their free gift card or product from Shein. The website may show a list of options with different values and categories, such as clothing, accessories, shoes, etc. The website may also ask people to pay a small shipping fee or a handling fee to receive their free gift. The website may claim that this fee is refundable or that it is covered by a coupon code.
However, when people enter their credit card details or their bank account details to pay for the fee, they are actually giving away their money and their information to the scammers. The scammers may use this information to make unauthorized charges on the victims’ accounts or to transfer money out of them. The scammers may also use this information to commit identity theft or other frauds.
The victims never receive their free gift card or product from Shein. Instead, they may receive spam emails or calls from other scammers who try to trick them into more scams. They may also notice suspicious transactions on their accounts or receive bills for services they never signed up for.
What to do if you have fallen victim to the Shein Summer Giveaway Scam
If you have fallen victim to the Shein Summer Giveaway Scam, you should take immediate action to protect yourself and your money. Here are some steps you can take:
- Contact your bank or your credit card company and report the fraudulent charges. Ask them to cancel your card and issue you a new one. You may also need to change your online banking password and security questions.
- Contact your local police and file a report. You may also need to file a report with your national consumer protection agency or your cybercrime unit.
- Contact Shein customer service and inform them about the scam. They may be able to help you with verifying if the offer was legitimate or not.
- Delete any emails or messages related to the scam. Do not click on any links or attachments in them.
- Block any phone numbers or social media accounts associated with the scam. Do not respond to any calls or messages from them.
- Scan your computer and your phone for viruses and malware.
- Be more careful and vigilant when shopping online. Do not trust any offers that seem too good to be true. Do not provide your personal or financial information to anyone you do not know or trust. Do not click on any pop-up ads or links that appear on your screen. Always check the URL and the security certificate of the website you are visiting. Always read the terms and conditions and the privacy policy of any online service you use.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. A quick way to check is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free, one of the most trusted malware removal tools available. If you only visited a scam page and didn’t download or install anything, this scan is optional.
The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:
- Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
- Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
- Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
- Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for
👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The scan usually takes 5 to 20 minutes.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan
You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.
If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
When the scan is done, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
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 scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
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.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.
Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
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Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
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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.
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Remove the detected apps.
When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
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Restart your phone.
When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
- Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.
- Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
- Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
- On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
- If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.
Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites
No scan can prove a device is completely clean, so it helps to block threats before they reach you. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
👉 Download AdGuard and browse safely
Conclusion
The Shein Summer Giveaway Scam is a dangerous and deceptive scheme that targets online shoppers who are looking for a bargain. The scam uses fake websites, ads, emails and messages to lure people into providing their personal and financial information, which the scammers then use to steal money or commit fraud. The scam also promises free gift cards or products from Shein, but the victims never receive them.
If you have encountered or fallen victim to the Shein Summer Giveaway Scam, you should report it to the authorities and to Shein customer service. You should also take steps to secure your accounts and your devices. You should also be more cautious and aware when shopping online and avoid any offers that seem too good to be true.
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