(PCM) Many women have reported seeing posts regarding a secret sister holiday gift exchange appearing on their Facebook feeds. The post details that if you purchase a gift valued at $10 or more you can receive up to 36 gifts in return.
The post requests that your private message the person who posted it to receive the full instructions which includes a full list of the names of those participating. You are then expected to send a gift to the first person on the list and then share the list with six other women, inviting them to join in on the gift exchange.
However, cyber security experts are now warning that the “secret sister” post is nothing more than yet another internet scheme that can put your personal information, such as your home address and credit card info at risk.
Not only are you putting your personal information in the hands of total strangers, but you are also leaving yourself vulnerable to receiving some dangerous, rude or offensive gifts in your mailbox as well.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service website says that chain letters are “illegal if they request money or other items of value and promise a substantial return to the participants.” Be cautious and be sure to give your fellow Facebook sisters the gift of warning them about this potential scam.
