Is a free iPhone or prize offered in an online quiz real?
No. Online quiz prize giveaways are data harvesting tools or subscription traps — the prize is not real.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
You complete a short quiz about your preferences, then a screen congratulates you on being the 'lucky winner' of an expensive prize. To claim it, you are asked to enter your name, email, phone number, and sometimes shipping and card details for a small handling fee. The prize never arrives. Your personal data is sold to marketing lists, you may be enrolled in a recurring subscription, and your card is charged. These ads circulate widely on social media and often use logos of well-known retailers to look official. Legitimate brand competitions always direct you to the retailer's official website and never require card details to claim a prize.
Common red flags
- You 'won' by completing a short quiz you found via a social media ad
- Prize is claimed to be sponsored by a recognisable retail brand
- Credit card details required for a small shipping or handling fee
- Fine print mentions a subscription or recurring charge
- URL does not match the official brand website
What to do now
- Do not enter any personal or card details
- Report the ad as misleading on the social platform
- If you paid a fee, contact your bank and request a chargeback
- Check your statements for unwanted recurring charges
Frequently asked questions
What if the quiz was on a major social media platform?
Scammers buy advertising on major platforms. The platform hosting the ad does not guarantee the advertiser is legitimate. Always go directly to the brand's official website to verify any promotion.