Frequently asked questions
Questions about entering online giveaways and contests safely and telling genuine ones from scams.
How can I tell if an online giveaway is genuine or a scam?
A real giveaway from a brand links to its own official page or verified account and states clear rules and an end date. A scam usually pressures you to act fast, comes from an account with a name that only looks like the brand's, and promises prizes that seem too large to be real. When something feels too good to be true, it usually is.
Should a legitimate giveaway ever ask me to pay to claim a prize?
No. A genuine giveaway never asks for a delivery charge, processing fee or tax paid up front to release a prize. Any demand for money before you receive a win is a reliable sign of a scam, no matter how official the message looks. Walk away the moment a payment is requested.
Is it safe to share my OTP or UPI PIN to receive a giveaway prize?
Never share an OTP, UPI PIN, card number or bank password to collect a prize, because no genuine prize ever requires them. Those details only let someone take money out of your account, not put a reward in. A real winner is contacted through official channels and only asked for a delivery address at most.
I got a message saying I won a contest I never entered. What should I do?
Treat it as a scam, since you cannot win something you never entered. Do not click any link, call any number or reply with personal details. Delete the message, and if it impersonates a brand you know, report it through that brand's official reporting channel.
How do I check whether a social media account running a contest is real?
Compare the account against the brand's main verified profile, checking the exact handle, follower count and history rather than the display name alone. Copycat accounts often add extra letters, numbers or words and were created recently. If the contest is real, the brand's own official page will usually mention it too.