claim: chick-fil-a is sending coupons via facebook messenger that offer free restaurant meals for one year.
question: no, chick-fil-a isn’t giving away free meals on facebook messenger
origin: in january 2020, bogus coupons circulated via facebook messenger, enticing users to click or share a link in order to redeem free meals from the fast-food restaurant chain chick-fil-a.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  a representative from chick-fil-a confirmed the coupons were fake. the hoax appeared to be a variant of a common scam that lured users into giving up personal information. as we previously reported on such scams:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  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  the coupon scam circulated around the same time outdated posts offering chick-fil-a customers the chance to enter a raffle for free meals for one year recirculated on facebook. although those offers were real, they were no longer valid as of this writing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  the better business bureau offers the following advice to avoid getting scammed:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  we have big plans. we need your help.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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comment: probably best to ignore any strange links offering free merchandise.
summary: in january 2020, bogus coupons circulated via facebook messenger, enticing users to click or share a link in order to redeem free meals from the fast-food restaurant chain chick-fil-a. the hoax appeared to be a variant of a common scam that lured users into giving up personal information. these types of viral “coupon” scams often involve websites and social media pages set up to mimic those of legitimate companies.