Quick answer: Check who runs a freebie offer, what you must provide, and what happens after you submit the form. A real sample may need a delivery address. A request for a password, login code, or gift-card payment to collect a prize is a reason to stop. A familiar logo and HTTPS padlock do not prove that a page belongs to the brand.
Updated October 16, 2026. Use this guide alongside our freebies directory and birthday rewards guide.
What kind of offer are you looking at?
| Offer | What it means | Check before submitting |
|---|---|---|
| Product sample | A small quantity offered to eligible applicants, often while supplies last. | Organizer, eligibility, delivery area, stock, shipping charges and privacy terms. |
| Sweepstakes | An entry for a chance to win, rather than a guaranteed free item. | Official rules, sponsor, entry deadline and how winners are contacted. |
| Free trial | Temporary access that may become a paid subscription. | First billing date, recurring charge and cancellation method. |
| Prize-payment demand | A message says you won but must pay a fee to collect. | Stop. The FTC identifies paying to collect a prize as a scam warning. |
Check the organizer without using the message link
Open a separate browser tab and navigate to the brand’s official website yourself. Look for the promotion there or contact customer service using contact information from that official site. A social post, comment or direct message can impersonate a real company.
Read the actual domain before entering details. A brand name in the page title, image or a long URL does not establish ownership. For example, a hypothetical address such as brand-gift.example is not evidence that Brand operates it. HTTPS encrypts the connection; it does not establish that the offer is honest. The FTC’s phishing guide explains how unexpected messages can imitate trusted businesses.
Watch for requests that do not fit the reward
- Never share your email password, retailer password or a one-time login code with a giveaway page.
- Do not pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or another demanded payment method to release a supposed prize.
- Be suspicious of pressure to act immediately before you can check the organizer.
- Do not treat a copied logo, enthusiastic comments or a screenshot of another person’s reward as verification.
The FTC’s prize-scam guidance explains why a request for money to collect winnings is a warning. A hypothetical message saying you won a grocery gift card but must buy a $25 gift card to activate it should be treated as a scam attempt.
Read the terms of a legitimate offer
Check whether the offer is a sample, discount, sweepstakes or trial. Note the purchase requirement, delivery cost, participating locations, expiration, account requirements and any recurring billing. An application does not guarantee a sample will arrive. A sweepstakes entry does not guarantee you will win.
For mailed samples, a name and postal address can serve a real delivery purpose. An email address may be used for confirmation or marketing. Read the privacy policy and decide whether that exchange is worthwhile. Avoid submitting information unrelated to fulfillment merely because the form requires it.
If you already shared information or paid
- If you entered card details or sent money, contact your bank or payment provider promptly through its official app or phone number. Explain what happened and ask about securing the account and any available recovery options.
- If you shared a password, change it through the real service. Change it on other accounts where you reused it, review account access, and enable multifactor authentication.
- Save the message, website address, payment details and screenshots. Report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If identity information was stolen, use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is a shipping fee always a scam?
No. A disclosed shipping charge for a sample is different from a demand to pay to collect a supposed prize. Verify the sample’s organizer and full terms independently, including subscriptions or other charges. Skip it if you cannot establish what you are buying.
Does a retailer logo prove an offer is real?
No. Logos are easy to copy. Confirm the offer through the retailer’s official website or support channel.
Can a giveaway ask for my address?
A legitimate organizer may need an address to deliver a prize or sample. Verify the organizer and request first. An address request alone proves neither legitimacy nor fraud.