What Is SampleGifted.com and Why Is It Trending?
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately, there’s a good chance you’ve come across a video or post claiming you can get a free $750 Costco gift card by visiting a website called SampleGifted.com. The videos usually show excited people are happy that they got the gift card after just signing up and completing a few “easy” steps.
Sounds like a hella dream deal! Well, not so fast. Let’s take a better look at what’s really going on behind this viral trend, after all its what we do the best at Scamminder.
The $750 Costco Gift Card Offer – Too Good to Be True?
The website promises that you can become a Costco product tester and receive a $750 gift card just by completing a few steps and Everyone can do that! You’re asked to click a Start Now button, enter your email, and do a couple tasks to claim the reward easily.
But here’s where the red flags start showing up. First, the number of total tasks keeps changing. It goes from 5 deals on the first page to 20 deals after you get redirected elsewhere. Yes, redirected — more than once into so many real or unreal sites.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the SampleGifted.com Funnel
When you click the sign-up button, you’re taken from SampleGifted.com to another site called rewardgiantdusa.com. That’s a big red flag. Legitimate promotions usually don’t bounce you around multiple unrelated websites. these addresses might be phishing attempt- unauthorized app or file download or so many dangerous things!
From there, you’re sent to eword4spot.com, where you’re asked to:
- Download apps
- Sign up for paid trial services
- Complete endless surveys
And it doesn’t stop. The steps keep piling up, but that promised gift card? Nowhere in sight.
Red Flags: How This Scam Operates Behind the Scenes
Here’s what we uncovered:
- Redirects to multiple suspicious domains
- Fine print admitting the offer is “not sponsored by Costco”
- Changing requirements from 5 to 20 deals
- No privacy policy or contact page
- Profit motive: they make money from your clicks and signups, while you get nothing
- Cloudflare protected hosting to hide the real origin
These are all classic tactics used in online scams thse days to grab your data and waste your time.
Why Costco Is Not Behind This Gift Card Offer
This scam misuses Costco’s name to look legit. But let’s be clear: Costco is not offering or advertising this gift card. The website even says so in fine print. That tiny text usually says something like:
“Offer not sponsored by or affiliated with Costco.”
So why use Costco at all? Because it builds trust. It makes you think the offer must be legit. Don’t fall for it.
What Happens to Your Personal Information?
Once you submit your email, phone number, and even your home address, that data could be:
- Sold to marketers
- Used in phishing campaigns
- Used to commit identity theft
These sites aren’t looking to reward you. They’re designed to collect and exploit your personal information.
How Scamminder AI Detects Scams Like SampleGifted.com Before You Get Trapped
Here’s where smart tools come in. Scamminder AI scans:
- Domain history
- Redirect behavior
- SSL certificate validity
- Privacy policies (or lack thereof)
- Fine print disclaimers
It flags warning signs instantly. That means you can paste a link in Scamminder before clicking anything, and know whether it’s safe or risky. It’s like having an online bodyguard watching your back online.
What to Do If You Entered Your Data on a Scam Site
If you’ve already submitted personal info, don’t panic — take action:
- Change your passwords, especially if you reused them.
- Monitor your credit card and bank activity.
- Report the site to the FTC and your local cybercrime unit.
- Consider freezing your credit, especially if you shared your billing data.
- Use a scam detection tool like Scamminder moving forward.
Conclusion: Stay Sharp, Stay Safe — Don’t Fall for the Free Gift Mirage
Online scams are getting sneakier every day, and they love using big names like Costco to reel you in. Just remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
No company is giving away $750 for doing a few random deals. It’s bait. Don’t let your curiosity or excitement cost you your personal info or peace of mind.
Use trusted tools, double-check links, and share this info with friends and family. Together, we can shut these scams down before they cause more harm.
