Kroger ‘40% Off Voucher’ Survey Scam
The original site is no longer online; links go to the Internet Archive copy.
What the fact-checkers found
According to a post currently being distributed across Facebook, you can follow a link to receive a 40% off voucher from US retailer Kroger. The post features a clickable image of the supposed voucher and includes the Kroger logo.
However, the post is not associated with Kroger and those who participate will not receive any vouchers. In fact, the post is a typical Facebook survey scam designed to trick you into spamming your friends and divulging your personal information via dodgy survey websites.
If you do click the post, you will be taken to a fake Kroger Facebook page that asks you to share, comment, and like to get the promised voucher.
But, by sharing, liking, and commenting, you are ensuring that your Facebook friends are exposed to the scam as well.
After following the outlined steps, you will be redirected to a second scam page where you can supposedly collect your voucher. However a popup window will claim that, before getting your voucher, you must unlock the ‘premium content’ by participating in one or more surveys. The popup includes several links for you to click.
The links lead to various third party websites that promise further prizes in exchange for filling in surveys and providing your name and contact details. However, fine print on the sites will state that, by participating, you are agreeing to receive marketing material from ‘site sponsors’ and third-party marketing companies. Thus, soon after participating, you will begin receiving unwanted and annoying phone calls, emails, text messages, and surface letters from companies peddling a variety of products and services. And, no matter how many surveys you complete, you will never get the promised 40% off voucher.
Meanwhile, the scammers who created the fake post and page will receive affiliate commissions each and every time somebody provides their information on one of the survey sites.
The genuine Kroger Facebook Page has warned users about the scam via the following post:
Attention Kroger Customers: There is currently an unauthorized “40% off all purchases in store” offer circulating. This giveaway is not affiliated with or supported by the Kroger Co. in any way. We recommend not engaging with the site(s) that offer links to the coupon, or providing them with any personal information. Our team is actively working with Facebook and domain service providers to address the concern.
Survey scams like this one continue to be very common on Facebook. Be wary of any Facebook post that claims that you can receive store coupons or vouchers or win valuable prizes just by sharing and liking and participating in online surveys.
Got a similar message?
Paste it into the detector and see whether it matches a known hoax.
Check a similar messageRelated fact-checks
Browse the archive →Kroger ‘Free $100 Coupon To Everyone’ Facebook Scam
Yet another store coupon survey scam is currently hitting Facebook. This version claims that you can click to get a coupon worth $100 from US retailer Kroger.
‘Get a Free ASDA Voucher’ Facebook Survey Scam
The message is fraudulent and those who participate will certainly not receive any ASDA vouchers. This is a typical Facebook scam designed to trick people into spamming their friends and divulging their personal information via dodgy ‘offer’ and ‘reward’…
Kroger ‘Free $80 Gift Card’ Facebook Survey Scam
The post is fraudulent. It is not associated with Kroger and no gift cards are being given away. The post is a scam designed to trick you into spamming your friends and supplying your personal information via dodgy survey websites.
Facebook Survey Scam – Free Tim Hortons Voucher
A message appearing on Facebook claims that users can receive a free Tim Hortons voucher valued at $100 by clicking a link in the post. The message is not an official Tim Hortons promotion. The message is a typical survey scam.