Scam Message:
Get 4 FREE Disneyland Tickets (Merry Christmas)
Scam Type: Survey Scam / Bogus Offer
Trending: December 2012
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to the following page:
Step 1 requires you to share a message to your Facebook profile. This is how the scam is spreading so quickly on Facebook. Think before you click, so you aren’t willingly spreading scams and spam messages to your friends. Step 2 requires you to comment on the page, and step 3 requires you to like the scam page. All three of these actions are designed to spread this scam virally across Facebook. Look at how successful the ruse is – almost 6.5 million likes so far! Tere is also hidden code buried that loads the following survey scam:
Reading the fine print here reveals that you must complete several sponsor offers and 3 friends that you refer must do the same. These are known marketing gimmicks. The page/promotion is not sponsored or endorsed by Disney. Do not willingly give away your private information to questionable companies like this!
How to Deal with the Scam:
If you did make the mistake of sharing the scam link, then you are now spamming your friends with the very same message. Clean-up your newsfeed and profile to remove references to the scam. (click the “x” in the top right hand corner of the post).
Never complete surveys to unlock videos or other content on Facebook. Scammers use these tricks to either spread malware, obtain personal identification or earn commissions from marketing companies. Don’t pad their pocket and possibly open yourself up to harm!
Some of the surveys require you to download files to your computer. Never do this! If you did so in error, then run a complete system scan with a good anti-virus software program. The I.Q. Quiz scam has been around for a while, and it typically requires you to enter your cell phone number to receive the results. The scammers then bill you for premium services. Keep an eye on your phone bill for bogus charges.
Also be wary of free offers or anything that sounds too good to be true. For more information on Facebook scams related to free offers, please see our alert: Beware of Facebook Freebies!
If you or your Facebook friends are falling for tricks like this, it’s time to get yourself informed of the latest threats. Be sure to join the Facecrooks page on Facebook to be kept informed of the latest security issues.
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