www.local12.com/news /features/top-storie s/stories/beware-fre e-kroger-gift-c
CINCINNATI (WKRC) -- You may have seen it in your Facebook News Feed or heard a friend talking about it: Kroger is offering a free $200 gift card to anyone that shares the message on Facebook, leaves a comment thanking Kroger, and liking the message. It may sound too good to be true, and often times, if it sounds that way, it is. Kroger says the offer is not legitimate addressing it publicly on Twitter. They noted the company is not connected to the offer or the website in any way. These type of scams are common, and they are often devices to "phish" for your personal information. Whenever a non-verified Facebook page or Twitter account is offering up some sort of give away and the link requires personal information, it is wise to contact the supposed business "giving" something away. Facebook and Twitter verify accounts of popular brands, news stations and personalities for this reason. To protect you from scams such as this. The Better Business Bureau has set up a web page that helps consumers determine if an offer is legitimate or a scam. They suggest things like the "too good to be true" test. They also point out, and this point is quite important, that there should be a link to a privacy policy if you are asked for anything personal, such as your home or email address. If a privacy policy or "terms and conditions" are offered for your reading and acceptance, it's always important to read them. The other thing consumers can do once they are aware something is a scam, is share that information with their friends and family by talking to them, calling them, or using the same method the scammers do: Sharing the information on social media.
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