Don’t Fall for the FAKE Trader Joe’s $700 Gift Card Scams
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Trader Joe’s is a popular grocery chain known for its private label specialty foods. But online scammers are exploiting the store’s reputation, running an elaborate fake gift card rewards scam.
This article will uncover everything about the Trader Joe’s reviewer scam – how it ensnares victims, red flags to watch for, and most importantly, how to steer clear of it yourself.
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The Trader Joe’s Gift Card Scam Overview
Trader Joe’s has cultivated a loyal following of customers who love the chain’s unique private label products and low prices on organic groceries. However, scammers are exploiting Trader Joe’s popularity and reputation to run an elaborate fake gift card rewards scam targeting these brand devotees.
The con works like this – scammers set up online ads or social media posts pretending to be from Trader Joe’s or a make-believe “rewards club.” Using the real Trader Joe’s logo and images of its products, these ads tout an exciting offer to become a grocery reviewer and earn a massive $700 Trader Joe’s gift card in return.
When people click on these scam ads, they are taken to phishing websites dressed up to appear somewhat legitimate. These fake sites have forms inviting people to “Join” the so-called rewards program and claim their $700 Trader Joe’s reward.
To “apply”, victims are prompted to hand over personal details like full name, email address, phone number, home address, and date of birth. This sensitive information is not actually used for any real rewards program, but is rather harvested by scammers to sell on the dark web or use in identity theft scams.
After submitting their data, users are redirected from the phony Trader Joe’s review program site to a sketchy third-party website completely unrelated to the grocery chain. This external site informs victims they must complete 10 to 30 “offers” or “deals” before they can claim the $700 Trader Joe’s gift card they were promised.
These mandatory “deals” involve things like signing up for subscriptions, downloading apps, taking online surveys, making purchases on affiliate sites, and entering personal info into various websites. Each “deal” completed earns scammers money through commissions, data harvesting, and sales.
Despite victims toiling away and finishing all of the long and tedious deals demanded of them, Trader Joe’s never provides the promised $700 gift card. The entire premise is fabricated to dupe and manipulate people into completing revenue-generating tasks under the false pretense of a rewards program.
This scam takes advantage of people’s love of Trader Joe’s exceptional products and their desire to earn a seemingly amazing $700 gift card prize. But in reality, it is just a bait-and-switch scheme aimed at stealing personal information and exploiting it for profit in an underhanded way.
How the Trader Joe’s Gift Card Scam Scam Unfolds
Here’s a step-by-step look at how this insidious con works to take advantage of Trader Joe’s devotees:
Stage 1: Fraudulent Social Media Ads
Scammers run Facebook, Instagram and YouTube ads pretending to be from Trader Joe’s or a fake “rewards club.” Using Trader Joe’s logos and images, they tout becoming a product reviewer to earn a $700 gift card.
Typical ad headlines may say:
“Earn a $700 Trader Joe’s card by reviewing products!”
“Get a $700 Trader Joe’s gift card – become a rewards member today!”
“Want free groceries? Apply to be a Trader Joe’s reviewer and get a $700 gift card!”
The goal is enticing people by suggesting it’s an authentic offer directly from the trusted Trader Joe’s brand.
Stage 2: The Phishing Reviewer Sign-Up Site
Clicking these ads sends users to phishing sites dressed up to appear somewhat legitimate with Trader Joe’s branding. These fake domains have forms inviting people to “Join Now” as a product reviewer and redeem the $700 reward.
To “sign up”, people are asked to enter sensitive personal information including:
Full name
Email address
Phone number
Home address
Birthdate
In reality, this data is harvested by scammers for identity theft or selling on the dark web – not used for any rewards program.
Stage 3: Redirecting to Complete Suspicious “Deals”
After submitting information, victims are redirected from the phony sign-up site to a sketchy third-party website. This unrelated site reveals users must complete 10-30 “offers” or “deals” before receiving the promised $700 Trader Joe’s gift card.
The mandatory “deals” include things like:
Downloading apps
Signing up for subscriptions
Taking online surveys
Making purchases
Entering personal details into various sites
Each completed “deal” earns scammers money through commissions, sales, and collecting user data.
Stage 4: No Reward Despite Completing All Deals
Some victims spend hours painstakingly finishing every monotonous deal demanded. But in the end, Trader Joe’s never provides the $700 gift card offered initially. The only goal was deceiving people into doing revenue-generating tasks under false pretenses.
Red Flags to Recognize the Trader Joe’s Gift Card Scam
There are several indicators to help spot this predatory scam:
Ads from unofficial pages – Trader Joe’s only advertises through its verified branded channels. Other offers are fraudulent.
Overly-generous rewards – $700 is far too much for simply reviewing groceries. This “dangles the carrot” to attract victims.
Requests for personal information – An excessive amount of sensitive data wouldn’t be needed for honest reviews.
Having to complete deals/offers – Legitimate review programs don’t make reviewers complete endless tedious tasks.
Unofficial branding and language – Scam pages lack Trader Joe’s official fonts, logos, and writing tone.
Spelling/grammar errors – Sloppy text indicates scammers quickly created the content.
Pushy call-to-action – High-pressure tactics like “Act Now!” are manipulative red flags.
Any of these signs suggest an offer is likely a Trader Joe’s gift card scam. Verify directly with brands before providing info or doing deals.
What to Do If You Already Got Scammed
If you provided your personal information or completed suspicious deals, take these steps immediately:
1. Contact your bank about any charges
If you paid for anything, call your bank ASAP and report the charges as fraudulent. They may be able to reverse them.
2. Reset all account passwords
Change the passwords for any accounts that scammers now have your email or other sensitive info for. Enable two-factor authentication as well.
3. Put a 90-day fraud alert on your credit
Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place an initial fraud alert on your credit file. This prompts scrutiny of any new activity.
4. Review statements closely for any unauthorized activity
Carefully check bank and credit card statements for any charges you didn’t make. Dispute any suspicious activity immediately.
5. Avoid communicating with “recovery” scammers
Ignore anyone claiming they can recover lost money from the first scam. This is just another scam attempt.
6. Report the scam to authorities
File reports with the FTC and FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Notify your bank and Trader Joe’s corporate.
7. Learn to identify red flags
Let this expensive lesson make you more vigilant against scams. Verify offers through official brand channels and check sites carefully before providing info or doing tasks.
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 Trader Joe’s $700 Card Scam
1. What exactly is the Trader Joe’s $700 card scam?
The Trader Joe’s scam is a fraudulent offer promoted online and via text ads. Scammers pretend to offer a $700 gift card for becoming a grocery reviewer. But it’s a scheme to harvest data and have people complete bogus “deals” earning commissions without rewarding the promised gift card.
2. How does the Trader Joe’s gift card scam work?
Scammers run social media and search ads redirecting to fake Trader Joe’s review program sites. There people enter personal info to “join.” They’re redirected to a third-party site and told they must complete 10-30 “deals” to get the $700 card. The deals generate money for scammers while never providing the promised rewards.
3. What are some red flags of the Trader Joe’s scam?
Red flags include ads from unofficial pages, exaggerated rewards, requests for too much personal data, having to complete sketchy deals, lack of official branding, sloppy text, and pushy “act now” messaging. Any of these should raise suspicions about an offer’s authenticity.
4. I entered my info and did some deals. What steps should I take?
Contact your bank about charges, reset account passwords, put a 90-day fraud alert on your credit, watch for unauthorized activity, avoid “recovery” scammer contacts, report the scam to the FTC and FBI, and learn to better identify scam red flags moving forward.
5. Can I get my money back if I lost any in this scam?
If you made purchases, report them as fraudulent to your bank immediately. They may be able to reverse the charges. Unfortunately there’s likely no way to recoup losses like personal data given away, time spent, etc. Use it as a costly lesson in avoiding scams.
6. How can I avoid the Trader Joe’s gift card scam?
Going forward, remember if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Verify promotions directly through official Trader Joe’s channels before providing any personal information or clicking suspicious links. Check URLs closely for accuracy.
7. Where should I report the Trader Joe’s scam?
Report it to the FTC and FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Notifying Trader Joe’s corporate office also helps them address the fraud. Reporting helps authorities identify and stop scammers faster.
8. Who is responsible for the Trader Joe’s scam?
Perpetrators are often cybercriminals operating anonymously, using fake identities. They quickly set up scam ads, sites, and domains to rip people off before shifting operations.
9. Am I at personal risk if I was involved in this scam?
Yes, providing personal data exposes you to potential identity theft and account misuse. Monitor your credit and all accounts closely for any suspicious activity and further scams.
10. What’s the best way to avoid online scams?
Be skeptical of unsolicited offers, verify directly with brands before participating, research unfamiliar sites, avoid clicking questionable links, guard your personal information carefully, and report any scams immediately.
The Bottom Line
The Trader Joe’s gift card scam preys on loyal customers’ desire to earn hefty rewards from their favorite grocery store. But the promised prizes never arrive.
Look for red flags like unofficial ads, exaggerated rewards, phony branding, or having to complete suspicious deals. Verify directly with brands before handing over information or doing offers.
Guard your personal and financial data closely. If scammed, act quickly to report unauthorized charges, reset passwords, and place fraud alerts. Being wary of unsolicited reward offers is the best way to keep your identity and money safe from scammers misusing the Trader Joe’s name. Don’t let the allure of fake gift cards put your security at risk.
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.
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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.
