A Cadbury giveaway scam is being shared on social media
(Picture: PA Archive)A brand new Cadbury giveaway scam is circulating on WhatsApp in the run-up to Christmas.
The scam works in the same way as many other WhatsApp scams that have been sent around recently.
Earlier this year, criminals sought to exploit shoppers ahead of Father’s Day, by attempting to peddle fake giveaways for brands including Heineken, Screwfix and B&Q.
Speaking to Which, a spokesperson for Cadbury said: “We’ve been made aware of circulating posts on social media, claiming to offer consumers a free Christmas gift from Cadbury.
“We can confirm that this has not been generated by us and would urge consumers not to interact or share personal information through the post. Customer security is our priority and we’re working with the relevant organisations to ensure this is resolved.”
But, how do you avoid being taken in? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Cadbury giveaways scam?
Firstly, you’ll receive a WhatsApp message that includes a picture of a Cadbury chocolate selection. In it, there will be a link to a suspicious website that has a Russian URL bearing no resemblance to Cadbury’s website.
This information is the first pointer that it’s a scam.
The message will include your name and address, which adds an air of credibility. Scammers may have obtained this information about you if you entered your details on an unsecured website that was subject to a data breach.
The link in the message to the “giveaway” will also be shared on Facebook by users who are unaware that the whole thing is a scam.
If you click on the link in the message, you’ll be taken to a survey website, where you will be asked a series of questions that are part of the “quiz”, all ahead of your discovery of “the golden ticket”.
The website will use convincing-looking branding, and when you click on the link it will say: “Hello, welcome to Cadbury’s Special Christmas Giveaway! Answer this short quiz, find the golden ticket and win an exclusive Christmas Chocolate Magic Basket. 235 gifts left.”
The next stage in the scam will see you answering four questions, and you will be given three attempts at answering them to select a prize box with a ticket inside, which will indicate that you’ve won.
On the third attempt, you win.
Now, the scammer will tell you to share a WhatsApp link with five groups of 20 friends – which will aid them in spreading the scam – before you can finally claim your free “gift”.
It will then ask you to enter your delivery address.
If you are the recipient of this WhatsApp, it’s definitely a scam. To avoid being taken in, don’t click on the link and delete the message.
Can I report the sender if I receive this scam?
Yes, if you receive this scam message, especially from an unknown number, you can report them on WhatsApp by opening up the chat, tapping on the sender’s contact details and selecting Block and Report, reports Which.
Suspicious websites can also be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.
