The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam on social media is a recent trending scam set up by scammers claiming one can buy a spice rack for just $14.95. Have you come across these posts on Facebook or Instagram and want to find out if it is a scam or legit? Read this review to know more!
What Is The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam?
The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers create a Facebook page, pay for Ads and try to scam people. The ads on Facebook claim that McCormick is offering a special deal as part of its 135th-anniversary celebration, the Ad comes witha link where they direct users to fraudulent websites like gentleharmony.life and appwinz.com. These sites look like the official-looking McCormick website because they use the branding to create a false sense of legitimacy, before users realize it, they are already trapped in recurring charges of $89.95 to $119.95 per month.
How The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam Works
The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam works with Fake websites and Social media Ads, The scammers create fake websites and online ads that mimic the official McCormick site or use similar branding to appear legitimate. One of the scam accounts doing this is a Lauren Griffiths on Facebook, she claims her sister who works at McCormick has discovered an anniversary giveaway. Another of the Ad claims to be from a former McCormick employee that was fired due to health issues, who now wants to share a “loophole” for getting a spice rack set at a discount rate. However these are all scams, McCormick is not running any such promotion, and these ads are pure scam. When you Click on the ad, it leads to gentleharmony.life, a fake website that imitates McCormick’s branding, luring users into filling out a survey before redirecting them to appwinz.com, where the scam takes place.
Once on appwinz.com, users are then presented with misleading terms and conditions that are hidden at the bottom of the page, where they unknowingly signed up for an expensive subscription. The site also lists two phone numbers, 888-742-3194 and 855-937-2967, but contacting them often leads to dead ends. Victims are then left looking for ways to cancel charges, and facing difficulties in doing so. These sites usually accept payments through credit cards, which the scammers use to steal financial details. After the purchase, customers often find it impossible to contact customer support or get a refund. The fake sites generally have no legitimate customer service channels, making it difficult to resolve issues or reclaim lost money.
How To Identify The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam Websites:
Some of the Red and warning flags include:
- Unusually Low Prices
- The fake sites often have URLs that are slightly different from the official site, such as minor misspellings or additional words (e.g., “McCormick -sale.com
- Lack of secure payment methods
- No customer support
- No contact Information
Tips to Avoid Phishing Scams:
- Be Skeptical of Unexpected Communications:
- Be cautious with unsolicited emails, texts, or calls, especially those asking for personal or financial information.
- Verify the Source:
- Always verify the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers often use addresses or numbers that look similar to legitimate ones.
- Look for Red Flags:
- Check for spelling and grammatical errors, generic greetings (e.g., “Dear Customer”), and urgent or threatening language.
- Don’t Click on Suspicious Links:
- Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the purported sender, don’t click it.
- Check the Website’s Security:
- When entering personal information online, ensure the website is secure. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar.
- Avoid Downloading Attachments:
- Don’t open email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. These could contain malware.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
- Enable factor Authentication on your accounts so as to add an extra layer of security. This makes it harder for scammers to gain access even if they have your password.
- Report Phishing Attempts:
- Report suspicious emails to your email provider and the organization being impersonated. In the U.S., you can forward phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected] and to the FTC at [email protected].
What Do You Do When You Suspect A Phishing Attempt
In this digital age and time, almost everyone has at one time received a phishing text or email and often times they fall victim and get scammed. This is why it is imperative that you are always careful when you receive any text or email because one careless click on a link can cause a whole lot of problems for you. Now if you suspect a phishing attempt, here are what I advise you do:
- Do Not Respond to the text, because you responding is actually giving access to the scammers, simply delete it when you receive.
- Quickly change your password if you have mistakenly clicked on the link or given away your login details. Change your password to a strong and unique password.
- Keep an eye on your accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
- Also scan you devices for any malware.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing scams and keep your personal and financial information safe.
Conclusion
The McCormick Spice Set Facebook Scam shows how scammers exploit popular brands to deceive consumers. By staying vigilant and following the steps outlined above, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. To protect your hard-earned money and personal information, it’s essential to steer clear of too good to be true offers and opt for reputable and trustworthy online retailers instead. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
One of such scams we have discussed here is the Travis Mathew Warehouse Sale Scam
