Scam Alert: The Fake UGG Boots Giveaway

Have you seen a link posted on social media that advertises free UGG boots? If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and this “giveaway” is definitely not true.

It’s a scam, not endorsed by UGG.

Article updated January 31, 2013 (See below for updated details on the newer Facebook event scam)

You may have seen a link shared which read:
Get A Free Pair of Uggs Boots! (Limited Time Only)
(LINK)
To celebrate the Winter, Uggs is giving away Free boots to all Facebook users! Claim yours before they are all gone.

You will then be directed to one of many cryptic domains, such as 1giftz.us or 1111target.us. From there you’ll be shown a simple page which wants you to go through several steps. It also shows a count-down of “Uggs Remaining” which is completely fake (it will count down from 1000 whenever you arrive at the page)! The first step they want you to do is to share the link, which only spreads the scam further. Second, they ask for a comment – yet they only seem to display a couple of fake ones.

You will then be sent to an obscure sub-directory of AwesomeRewardsNow.com, or similar website (scammers often use multiple domains). The main website displays a message that the site was shut down, but the obscure sub-directory linked above still works – so we’re not sure what’s going on with that, unless the “suspended” message is just a ruse. If you want to see the website without entering the steps, simply reload the landing page. They’ll ask you if you’re sure, and then you’ll be taken to the sub-directory at AwesomeRewardsNow.com, where you can see the “Summary of Requirements” to receive this “gift.” (See below)

Rewards Program
Upon examining the website, you’ll see that this “giveaway” is nothing more than a “rewards” program which requires you to sign up for all sorts of things, such as credit cards. If you read their rules, you’ll also see that they can terminate your account without question. In the end, it will be nearly impossible to complete all of the requirements, and you will likely never receive your beloved UGG boots. These “rewards programs” crop up using various brand names as bait, such as Walmart, Best Buy, Apple, etc (see the list at the bottom of this article).

Check out the requirements of this “rewards program” as seen on AwesomeRewardsNow.com:

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. To receive the reward you must: 1) be a U.S. resident at least 18 years of age or older; 2) Register with valid information; 3) Complete the user surveys; 4) Complete the following reward offers: 2 Silver, 2 Gold, and 9 Platinum offers (Available reward offers will vary. Some reward offers require a purchase. Credit card offers may require you to activate the card by making a purchase, transferring a balance or taking a cash advance. 5) Follow the redemption instructions. All program requirements must be completed within 120 days of the date of registration. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Limit of one (1) gift per household. No cash redemption value. Please read the Program Rules for complete program details. Your information will be shared with our marketing partners. Please read the Privacy Policy for more details. AwesomeRewardsnow.com is an independent rewards program for consumers and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of the listed products or retailers. Trademarks, service marks, logos, and/or domain names (including, without limitation, the individual names of products and retailers) are the property of their respective owners.

We’re certain that this offer will show up again with different URLs – which is why scammers often use a different landing page. This allows them to easily switch domains and continue their scam. If you see this scam at a different web address, lets us know in the comments below.

Below is a screenshot of AwesomeRewardsNow.com, which clearly states “Participation Required.” Notice how the tone has changed from the original link that claimed that free boots were being given out to celebrate Winter?

 

Facebook Event Giveaway Scam
There is a slight variation of this scam going around Facebook this week. It is now an event invitation, but the scam itself is the same as above. If your account has been compromised and event invitations are being sent on your behalf, there are steps you can take to end this:

• Go into Facebook’s Account Settings, and then Apps. Look for any new, spammy, or unknown apps and remove them.
• Go into your browser’s settings, then extensions/add-ons and remove anything you don’t recognize or use.
• Change your Facebook password.
• Delete any events or posts created on your behalf.

 

If you see a friend posting this event, let them know. They may be unaware that this is occurring in their name, or they may not be aware that it’s a scam.

Bottom Line
These rewards programs are a bait-and-switch scam. Don’t do it! They bait you into it with the “free” boots, only to require you to participate in an elaborate “rewards program” which is nearly impossible to fulfill.