The Story:
Kristiina saw an Instagram Story claiming TV3 (a real Estonian TV network) was giving away iPhone 15s. The page looked real. To “claim” the prize, she needed to:
- enter her name and phone number
- pay €1 “verification and shipping fee” with a credit card
Days later, she noticed weekly €49.99 charges. She had unknowingly subscribed to a shady membership site.
The contact info was fake, the cancellation button didn’t work, and she had to block her card.
🚩 Red Flags:
- “Free prizes” asking for card info
- Sites pretending to be well-known brands
- Fine print that hides recurring payments
- No working support contact or refund process