Facebook coupon scam targets Giant Tiger shoppers

This article is more than one year old.
Published on May 1, 2020 at 17:58
2 min read
By AFP Canada

Thousands of Facebook users in Canada have shared a post that claims discount retailer Giant Tiger is giving away $250 coupons. The promotion is “fraudulent,” according to the company.

“Giant Tiger has announced that everyone who shares this link will receive $250 coupon for Grocery! TODAY ONLY” the posts claim.

They direct users to a website, archived here, which is not affiliated with the Canadian-owned chain.

Screenshot of a Facebook post taken on April 28, 2020

When users click on the site, it asks them to answer a series of questions and seeks to collect personal information.

Screenshot of a scam website taken on April 28, 2020

Eventually it prompts users to share the link on Facebook, tagging 5 friends and writing “Thanks!” in the comments field.

Screenshot of a scam website taken on April 28, 2020

“Giant Tiger Stores Limited has been made aware that there is a fraudulent Facebook promotion circulating,” the company told AFP on April 30, 2020 via Facebook Messenger.

“These scams intentionally impersonate a trusted brand to leverage goodwill and avoid suspicion.”

The company urged people who had participated in the alleged promotion, particularly anyone who had shared credit card details, to contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

AFP Fact Check has debunked other fake “free offers” on Facebook, including non-existent coupons from global retail giant Walmart and wholesaler Costco.

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