Giveaway Scam Checker
Got a 'you won' message? Check it for common scam signs before you reply.
Questions about the message
Answer what you can. Leave "Not sure" when you don't know.
- Did they ask you to pay a fee, shipping or tax to claim?
- Did they ask for a login code, a password or a 2FA code?
- Did they send a link to log in or "verify"?
- Is the account handle slightly different from the official one (extra dots, underscores, numbers)?
- Was the account created recently, or does it have very few posts?
- Did they contact you first by DM, when the giveaway said winners would be announced another way?
- Do they want payment in gift cards or crypto?
- Are they pressuring you with a short deadline?
- Did you even enter this giveaway?
- Did they ask for card details?
The message
Up to 4,000 characters. It stays in your browser.
Check a handle
Compare the handle that messaged you with the giveaway's official handle.
The check runs in your browser. Nothing is sent.
How it works
- Answer the questions you can about the message.
- Paste the message, and add the official handle and the handle that messaged you.
- Press Check to see the warning signs we found and what to do next.
Questions and answers
How do I know if a giveaway DM is fake?
Look for the usual signs: a fee to claim, a request for a login code or card details, a link to "verify" your account, a deadline of a few hours, or a handle that is slightly different from the brand's real one. Then check the brand's official website or account to see how it said winners would be contacted.
Do real giveaways ask for shipping fees?
No. A real host doesn't ask winners to pay shipping, tax or "processing" fees to release a prize. The FTC warns that anyone who asks for these fees is a scammer, and that only scammers ask for gift cards.
What should I do if I already paid?
Contact your bank or card provider straight away and tell them it was a scam. If you also shared a login code or password, change your password and turn on two-factor login. Then report the account in the app, and in the US also at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Can this tool tell me a message is real?
No. It only finds warning signs. "No common red flags found" means we didn't spot the usual signs, not that the message is real. When in doubt, contact the brand through its official website or verified account.
How can a host protect entrants from fake accounts?
Post an official giveaway notice that says which account is yours, how winners will be contacted, and that you will never ask for fees, codes or card details.