A photo taken May 26, 2022 shows the logo of British multinational oil and gas company Shell at an oil and gas station in Berlin ( AFP / Astrid Vellguth)

Shell gift card offers on social media are a scam

This article is more than one year old.
Published on June 15, 2022 at 22:10
1 min read
By AFP USA, Manon JACOB,

Facebook posts claim that, amid soaring US gasoline prices, Shell is offering gift cards to people who fill out a form online. This is false; a Shell representative told AFP it is not giving out such cards, and that the posts are impersonating the energy company.

"Gas prices are getting too high. Shell is helping by contributing $500 Gas Cards for only $1.95. Click 'apply now' and get yours," says a June 13, 2022 Facebook post, which links to a website displaying the logo of the British multinational company and referring to a "loyalty program."

Screenshot of a Facebook post taken June 15, 2022

A screenshot taken June 15, 2022 shows a website claiming to offer Shell fuel gift cards

The same claim circulated on Facebook here and here. The posts, all published in June, come as American families and businesses face challenges from rising inflation and record-high gas prices.

But Shell did not authorize these promotions: a company spokesperson told AFP the posts are fraudulent.

"We can confirm these ads are falsely purporting to be Shell by imitating the brand," said Natalie Gunnell, a spokeswoman for Shell. "We are not providing those services claimed in these Facebook ads. Patrons can save at the pump via our Fuel Rewards program."

Gunnell added that the company has notified Facebook of the fraudulent ads.

Online offers for benefit cards and other giveaways are a common tactic scammers use on social media to obtain users' personal information. AFP Fact Check has debunked similar claims here, here and here.

Is there content that you would like AFP to fact-check? Get in touch.

E-mail

Shell gift card offers on social media are a scam

YouTube