Scam message promises free 65′ Samsung TV for entering code into Google
Messages are spreading via social media that claim you can win a 65’ Samsung Smart TV when opening a free STAN account just by typing in a code IPX256GPM into search engine Google.
The messages are a scam, and we don’t recommend following the instructions. An example of the warning as seen on Facebook can be seen below.
Hi Everyone! 😀 A few d•a•y•s ago there was an advertisement on T•V where you could win a FREE 65′ Samsung Smart T•V when you open a free STAN account!, just you need to answer 4 questions correctly! 🙂
It turned out that all you need to do is simply enter the code “IPX256GPM” in Google and click on the first link in the results, , read this article to learn more. It’s very easy! 🙂 Yesterday, a courier brought me a package which contained the new Samsung Smart TV! Better hurry up, as the promotion ends on 29 August! 🙂
The message is a ruse to lure victims into signing up to scam streaming websites, and there are no free smart TVs on offer. Those who follow the instructions and enter the above code into Google will find a website that features a fake “review” claiming Samsung are giving away free smart TVs for $1.
Sponsored Content. Continued below...
That review then directs users to another website that – after asking some arbitrary questions (the answers of which don’t affect the outcome) – direct users to one of any number of identical “streaming” websites that are all after your credit card information.
The sites ask for your credit card details for a “trial membership”. Such streaming websites are not affiliated with STAN, the legitimate streaming company based in Australia.
Sponsored Content. Continued below...
Websites that we were directed to included owlplayz.com, cullgame.com, 247playz.com, playgentz.com and musikzoo.com. All sites seem to have been operated out of Cyprus, all of them were identical (other than the name) and all of them either have negative feedback online or no feedback at all.
This isn’t the first time this scam has come across our radar. In June 2018, the exact same message was spreading, only using a different code.
Ultimately, this above message is using a non-existent prize to lure Internet users into signing up to trial memberships for dodgy, scammy websites promising streaming services. We strongly recommend avoiding.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest cybersecurity threats and our tips to stay safe online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Continued below...
Thanks for reading! But before you go… as part of our latest series of articles on how to earn a little extra cash using the Internet (without getting scammed) we have been looking into how you can earn gift vouchers (like Amazon vouchers) using reward-per-action websites such as SwagBucks. If you are interested we even have our own sign-up code to get you started. Want to learn more? We discuss it here. (Or you can just sign-up here and use code Nonsense70SB when registering.)
Become a Facebook Supporter. For 0.99p (~$1.30) a month you can become a Facebook fan, meaning you get an optional Supporter Badge when you comment on our Facebook posts, as well as discounts on our merchandise. You can subscribe here (cancel anytime.)