In March 2020, Facebook posts circulating online offered free coupons supposedly good for two free Big Mac Meals for a month from outlets of the McDonald’s fast food chain:
Big Mac Special Deal
Users who clicked on the offer were taken to an external website where they were instructed to answer survey questions in order to receive their coupons:
After completing the questionnaire, however, users were then required to click a button to share the “offer” with their Facebook friends before they could retrieve their coupons. Those who complied by spamming their friends were then allowed to click a “Receive the Coupon” button, but there was no actual coupon to receive.
Like innumerable other “free merchandise” offers on Facebook (including previous examples targeting McDonald’s customers), this offer was a common form of scam.
Free Big Macs Mcdonald's Today
We’ve had many occasions to alert readers to this kind of fraud: External gpu.
These types of viral “coupon” scams often involve websites and social media pages set up to mimic those of legitimate companies. Users who respond to those fake offers are required to share a website link or social media post in order to spread the scam more widely and lure in additional victims. Then those users are presented with a “survey” that extracts personal information such as email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and even sometimes credit card numbers. Finally, those who want to claim their “free” gift cards or coupons eventually learn they must first sign up to purchase a number of costly goods, services, or subscriptions.
The Better Business Bureau offers consumers several general tips to avoid getting scammed:
- A McDonald's Big Mac. The seven classic McDonald’s burgers sold in the U.S. Are now free from artificial preservatives, flavors and colors, the company announced Wednesday.
- Free McDonald’s Later. Get free large Fries when you download the McDonald’s app and join MyMcDonald’s Rewards. Get your choice of Hash Browns, Vanilla Cone, McChicken® or a Cheeseburger free after your first purchase.Free large Fries valid 1x thru 12/31/21 for first time app users at participating McDonald’s.
- Don’t believe what you see. It’s easy to steal the colors, logos, and header of any other established organization. Scammers can also make links look like they lead to legitimate websites and emails appear to come from a different sender.
- Legitimate businesses do not ask for credit card numbers or banking information for coupons or giveaways. If they do ask for personal information, like an address or email, be sure there’s a link to their privacy policy.
- When in doubt, do a quick web search. If the giveaway is a scam, this is likely to reveal an alert or bring you to the organization’s real website, where they may have posted further information.
- Watch out for a reward that’s too good to be true. Businesses typically give out small discounts to entice customers. If the offer seems too good to be true (a $100 voucher or 50% discount) it may be a scam.
- Look for a mismatched subject line and email body. Many of these scams have an email subject line promising one thing, but the content of the email is something completely different.
On Tuesday 3 November 2020, you can get a Free Big Mac for the first 30,000 as part of the 30 Days 30 Deals promotion! The Big Mac comes with two 100% beef patties, iceberg lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles and special sauce between a toasted sesame seed bun. Get free large Fries when you download the McDonald’s app and join MyMcDonald’s Rewards. Get your choice of Hash Browns, Vanilla Cone, McChicken® or a Cheeseburger free after your first purchase.Free large Fries valid 1x thru 12/31/21 for first time app users at participating McDonald’s. Answer (1 of 5): It’s a very long, multiple step process. Go to your fridge and get a bottle of ketchup. Make sure it’ll squirt ketchup at least 15 feet. Cats and small children are good test subjects. Go to the nearest McDonald’s (or the furthest, it’s really up to you. I’m just trying to.