Did you come across a giveaway post or reels on Facebook offering a sample of Omaha steaks for just $9.95 shipping fee or less? Don’t be deceived, it’s a scam! The meat delivery company ‘Omaha Steaks’ is being impersonated by scammers operating a giveaway scam.
The fraudsters use different format to lure Facebook users; via contests, surveys, e.t.c One of the fake giveaway post says ‘We’re inviting 1,000 households to try our new Great Steaks Samplers! Simply answer four quick questions to receive your sampler and provide your feedback. Get your sampler today and join the taste test’
What makes the $9.95 Great Steaks Sample Deal a Scam?
- The real cost for the Great Steak Sampler by Omaha Steaks which contains; 4 (5 oz.) Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons, 4 (5 oz.) Butcher’s Cut Top Sirloins, 4 (10 oz.) Boneless New York Strips, 4 (10 oz.) Ribeyes, and 1 (3 oz.) Omaha Steaks Seasoning is not less than $300. Omaha Steaks can’t give such high value product for free.
- The giveaway isn’t posted on official Omaha Steaks social media pages or website.
- The websites involved in this giveaway; spireconfin.info, oktooyu.com, e.t.c. are all recently registered, lack reputation, have no legal pages or active customer support
How The Scam Works
The Omaha Steak Sampler Deal scam falls into the category of credit card fraud. It claims you can get a sample of Omaha Steaks for just $9.95 shipping fee but end up charging your credit card much more than promised.
When you pay the $9.99 shipping fee, you’re automatically signing up for a subscription service. On the order page, there are very tiny letters which can easily be overlooked. A close inspection shows it’s a legal stipulation that says people signing up to a subscription.You’ll end up being charged every month, and you won’t get the Steak as promised.
What To Do If You Got Scammed
Cancel your credit card
Immediately call your financial provider and cancel your credit card. By so doing, the credit card details you used for your transaction would become null and void.
Request for a new card
After the old credit card has been cancelled, ask for a new card, it doesn’t cost much to get one. Your credit card issuer will issue you a new one with different numbers.
Report the Fraud To Relevant Authorities
Report the scam to relevant authorities and organizations. This includes:
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): File a complaint with the BBB if the online store is based in the United States.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you are in the United States, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
- Your Local Consumer Protection Agency: Contact your local consumer protection agency or the equivalent regulatory body in your country.
How To Spot Fake Giveaway
Check the Company’s Social Media Accounts & Official Websites
The first step you should take is finding out if the giveaway has been posted on the company’s social media accounts. If it hasn’t, the giveaway is likely a scam.
Check For Grammatical and Spelling Mistakes
Scan the clearance post. Do you notice bad grammar, missing words, or spelling mistakes? These are red flags for a scam. Any company can make a minor mistake when typing out a win notification. However, multiple or glaring errors are a bad sign.
Check Website Registration Age
How old is the website? The domain age of a website tells a lot about a store’s legitimacy or transparency. Websites below 6 months old are often considered unsafe. You can find out a website’s age by checking on Who.is ( a free domain checker tool)
Find Out If The Website Used Has SSL Encryption
find out if the website is secured with SSL encryption. (https and padlock symbols). If the padlock symbol doesn’t appear near the website’s URL, then it means your personal and financial information is at risk at the store.
Search for Reviews Online
Are there reviews or posts about the clearance sale online? It’s common for various news outlet to carry information about legit discount sales. By searching for reviews online you could also come across warning posts or complaints.
Also read: Paula Deen Le Creuset Cookware Giveaway Scam
maria