Yahoo Finance Be warned - new WhatsApp adidas giveaway is a hoax
WhatsApp users have been warned to be aware of a new scam – this time involving an apparent giveaway of adidas trainers.
A message doing the rounds on the instant messaging app promises one free pair of 3,000 trainers once users follow a link and complete a quick survey.
However, the link is a hoax – and it could see people leave themselves open to ID theft or fraud.
MORE: Watch out – there’s a fake WhatsApp £250 supermarket voucher scam doing the rounds
The message reads: “Adidas is giving away 3,000 Free Pair of Shoes to celebrate its 93rd anniversary. Get your free shoes at: Adidas.com/shoes’.ils.”
The German sportswear giant has confirmed the giveaway is nothing to do with it and warned: “We are aware of the WhatsApp message that is currently circulating claiming that adidas is giving away free footwear and would like to caution the public about believing this, as it is definitely a hoax.”
Hi there, thanks for flagging, but that giveaway is not affiliated with adidas. For exclusive offers from adidas we have a sign up page here: https://t.co/evbZfNST4a
— adidas UK (@adidasUK) February 12, 2018
Tim Helming, director of product management at cyber experts DomainTools, said the Url address used in the message was registered at the end of January.
MORE: 8 steps you can take today to better protect yourself from identity theft
He said it shared its address with around 244 other domains.
“This scam has obviously caught a lot of people’s eye – it’s getting a ton of traffic,” he said.
Action Fraud warned last year that WhatsApp was being used to try to dupe users into handing over personal details in exchange for a £250 shopping voucher.
