Medium riskSocial Media

Giveaway Winner DM Scam

In this scam, a message impersonating an influencer or brand says you have won their giveaway, then asks for a delivery fee, your details, or a card to 'claim' the prize that does not exist.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Prize impersonation (DM)
Main red flag
A DM says you won a giveaway but must pay a fee or share details to claim.
What to do first
Do not pay or share details. Verify on the brand's official, verified account.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a message impersonating an influencer or brand says you have won their giveaway, then asks for a delivery fee, your details, or a card to 'claim' the prize that does not exist.

Social media scams spread through direct messages, ads, hacked friends' accounts, and fake profiles. They range from account-takeover phishing and fake giveaways to investment and romance fraud, exploiting the trust and reach of your own network.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A DM says you won a giveaway but must pay a fee or share details to claim. Do not pay or share details. Verify on the brand's official, verified account.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Fake Giveaway Scam or the Celebrity Impersonation DM Scam, browse the Social Media Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that began on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top channel
social media was among the most common ways scams reached people in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Congrats! You won our giveaway 🎉 To ship your prize, pay a $9 delivery fee and confirm your card details here: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A DM says you won a giveaway but must pay a fee or share details to claim.

Red flags to watch for

  • A win for a giveaway you do not recall entering
  • A fee or card details required to claim a prize
  • A message from a lookalike, unverified account
  • Pressure to claim within hours
  • A link to an unofficial page

What to do

  • Verify any win on the brand's official verified account
  • Never pay a fee or share card details to claim a prize
  • Report and block the impersonating account
  • Check whether the giveaway was ever real

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not enter card details to claim
  • If you paid, contact your bank to flag your card
  • Change any password you entered
  • Report and block the account

What not to do

  • Do not pay to receive a 'prize'
  • Do not share card or personal details to claim
  • Do not trust an unverified lookalike account

Similar scams

Medium risk Social Media

Fake Giveaway Scam

This scam tells you that you won a prize or giveaway, then asks for a fee, your login, or personal details to 'claim' it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Social Media

Celebrity Impersonation DM Scam

This scam uses a direct message from an account posing as a celebrity or public figure to build a personal connection with a fan, then asks for money, gift cards, a 'membership fee', or details for a fake meet-and-greet or giveaway.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Social Media

Instagram Collab Scam

A DM posing as a brand offers a paid collaboration or ambassador deal, then steers you toward a phishing link, an upfront 'starter kit' fee, or a request for your login or banking details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Do real giveaways charge a fee to claim?
No. Genuine prizes do not require a delivery fee or your card details. A request to pay to claim is a clear scam sign.
It looked like a real influencer. How can I check?
Compare against the official verified account and look for the same announcement there. Scammers use lookalike profiles to DM 'winners'.
I paid the delivery fee. What now?
Contact your bank to protect your card, change any password you entered, and report the account.
How do legitimate winners get notified?
Usually through the official verified account, with no request for fees or card details to receive the prize.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.