Is the offer of a $750 Shein gift card for answering a few questions after following a link on Facebook legitimate? No, that's not true: The link does not go to the website for fast-fashion retailer Shein. The terms and conditions require more than just a questionnaire. Users must finish a certain number of "deals, which usually require paid participation or paid subscription" before "rewards" are granted.
The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on Facebook on July 25, 2024. It said:
Dоn't shоp аt Sheіn аgаіn untіl yоu reаd thіs...
My sіster wоrks fоr Sheіn 🇺🇸 аnd tоld me mоst peоple dоn't knоw іf they аnswer а shоrt survey, they cаn get thоusаnds іn cаsh tо use аt Sheіn.
I just gоt а $750 vоucher, just fоr аnswerіng а few questіоns.
I'll leаve the lіnk she sent me belоw where yоu cаn fіll thіs оut. I just gоt mіne, аnd іt оnly tооk me lіke 30 secоnds tо cоmplete.
They оnly gіve а few оf these bоnuses оut dаіly, sо dоn't wаіt, tаp Leаrn Mоre аnd get yоurs nоw.
This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Thu Sep 19 20:35:32 2024 UTC)
The link listed in the post does not go to the official Shein website (archived here). It takes users to the website for World Products Initiative (archived here) which directs users to answer a few questions for a "chance to receive a $750 gift card" with an image of the Shein logo:
To apply, answer three simple questions about the latest fashion trends. Don't miss this opportunity.
(Source: World Products Initiatives screenshot taken on Thu Sep 19 20:40:15 2024 UTC)
After answering the questions, users are directed to the website RewardsGiantUSA.com (archived here), which states there are yet more requirements to receive $750 towards shopping at Shein:
*Upon completion of purchase & program requirements. Trade names or rights associated with all brands on this site are the property of their respective owners and are not affiliated with this promotion.
The link to the terms and conditions website (archived here) explains there is a paid participation or paid subscription to receive the reward. It also seeks personal information:
How the Rewards Program Works. To qualify for a Reward, you must: (1) be a U.S. resident, 18 years of age or older; (2) provide accurate registration information (including your name and contact information, i.e., valid residential, phone number and/or email addresses), and (3) COMPLETE THE REQUIRED NUMBER AND LEVELS OF DEALS WHICH REFERS TO A GROUP OF DEALS ('LEVELS'), WHICH USUALLY REQUIRE PAID PARTICIPATION OR PAID SUBSCRIPTION, within a sixty-day period that commences on the date that you complete your first Deal.
Lead Stories searched (archived here) using keywords on Google, locating an April 24, 2023, Yahoo! News article (archived here) that warned Shein consumers of numerous scams circulating on Facebook; in that case a scam promising customers the chance to score a $500 Shein gift card.
Lead Stories previously reported that false online promotions use famous brand names, such as Aldi, to trick people into handing over their personal information.
Lead Stories reached out to the Shein corporation for a statement regarding the validity of this claim. If a response is received, this fact check will be updated.
Other Lead Stories fact checks on claims about gift cards can be found here.
