Question it: Some of these fraudsters actually have the gall to claim these schemes are not only legal, but are endorsed by the U.S. Protect it: Restoring your identity is no joke! Keep your private information to yourself. Report it: Let the social media platform you’re using know about the circulating scheme by clicking on “report post.” Disregard any social media post, email or letter asking to be a Secret Sister. They contain all three elements of a lottery: prize (expectation of monetary or other gain from participation in the pyramid) chance (the monetary return you may receive from your participation is entirely up to chance, that is, dependent on the efforts of those below you in the pyramid) and consideration (the price of your gift to join the pyramid).” Protect yourself:ĭelete it: Even though it seems lovely to receive many gifts from all over the globe, it could cost you your identity and your freedom. In pre-Reformation Europe, holiday gift-giving was a decidedly lower-key affair. When the scam first appeared on Facebook in 2015, the USPIS posted, “Fraudulent pyramid schemes typically violate the Lottery Statute (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1302). Participants could be charged with mail fraud as well as face fines and jail time. The USPIS considers gift exchanges (newer scams feature exchanging bottles of wine) a form of gambling. Once people stop participating in the gift exchange, the gift supply stops as well, and leaves hundreds of disappointed people without their promised gifts.” Just like any other pyramid scheme, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Secret Sister counts on “the recruitment of individuals to keep the scam afloat. Once the chain is broken - which is usually the case, especially during the holidays when nobody has time to shop for and ship a present to a stranger - the original participant is out $10 and will probably never get one gift, let alone 36! Then, those people have to provide their friends’ information, and so on, and so on… The catch is, participants need to provide not only their personal information, but provide information of members from their social network. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).Īkin to the old-timey chain letters of days gone by, the Secret Sister gift exchange calls for participants to buy one gift of at least $10 value and send it to your “secret sis.” In exchange, they are promised to receive 6-36 gifts in return. What seems like a fun way to bring cheer to many within the social media-verse is actually an illegal pyramid scheme, according to the U.S. While the festive season brings lots of joy and cheer, it also brings out the grinches who are looking to steal not only your holiday bliss, but also your identity and peace of mind. Student Loans for Acclaim FCU by Sallie Mae®.Postal Inspection Service says it’s considered a form of gambling, and people who participate could face penalties like jail time, fines or even a lawsuit. While it might seem like harmless fun, the BBB says this is really a pyramid scheme, and it’s actually illegal. I’ve definitely seen some of my Facebook friends share these posts recently. All you have to do is buy and send one gift, and you’re guaranteed to receive up to 36 gifts in exchange.
It can also go by other names, but the premise is the same. You may have seen some posts on social media about the “Secret Sister” gift exchange. Any gift exchange with friends, family members, co-workers or other people you know is a great way to get in the holiday spirit, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning people against trading gifts online with people you don’t know. Our KKTV newsroom is doing a socially distanced Secret Santa to spread joy around the office. (KKTV) - With the holidays fast approaching, I’m sure many of you will be participating in gift exchanges this year. Our 11 News Call For Action team pens a weekly column for our news partner The Gazette.
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