Is an Instagram DM saying I won a brand giveaway real?
Most Instagram DMs claiming you won a brand giveaway are scams run from fake accounts imitating genuine brands.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Brand impersonation giveaway scams on Instagram are pervasive. A fake account mimicking a well-known company sends a DM saying you have been selected as a winner. To claim the prize you are directed to pay a small delivery fee, provide card details, or click a link that harvests your Instagram login. Legitimate brand giveaways announce winners publicly on the official, verified account; winners are never asked to send money or provide payment information. Verify any giveaway win by checking the official brand account independently rather than following the DM's links.
Look closely at the account that messaged you and the differences appear quickly: a handle with an extra letter, underscore, or number; a following count far below the real brand's; and a very recent creation date. Scammers monitor the comment sections of real giveaways and message everyone who entered — which is why the contact can arrive moments after you interacted with a genuine post.
Credential harvesting is often the real goal. The 'claim form' asks you to log in again, and once your Instagram password is captured the account is taken over and used to run the same scam on your followers. Enabling two-factor authentication limits the damage even if a password does slip out.
Common red flags
- DM from an account that is not the brand's official verified page
- Winning a giveaway you do not recall entering
- Request for card details or a fee to receive the prize
- Link in the DM goes to a non-brand domain
What to do now
- Do not click links in the DM or provide card details
- Search for the official brand account and check if the giveaway is listed
- Report the impersonating account to Instagram
- If you entered credentials, change your Instagram password immediately
Frequently asked questions
How do real brand giveaways work?
Genuine brand giveaways announce winners publicly on the brand's official verified account. They never DM you asking for card details or a delivery payment.
I clicked the link and logged in before realising. What should I do?
Change your Instagram password immediately, enable two-factor authentication, and check that your linked email and phone number have not been altered. Warn your followers if the account sent messages without your knowledge.