Giveaway: Facebook Password

The success of these scams relies on two cognitive biases:

A Facebook Password Giveaway is a type of social media scam or hoax where a page, group, or individual claims to be giving away prizes (e.g., cash, phones, gift cards) in exchange for users providing their Facebook login credentials. Sometimes it’s framed as a “verification” step or an “account upgrade” to enter a legitimate-looking contest.

Legitimate giveaways never ask for your password.

A message states: “Congratulations! You won $500. Send your password to claim your prize.” Facebook Password Giveaway

Under Facebook’s Community Standards and Terms of Service (Section 4, Registration and Account Security):

“You will not share your password (or in the case of developers, your secret key), let anyone else access your account, or do anything else that might jeopardize the security of your account.”

Consequences for participants:

Consequences for promoters (even if joking):

Post a status: "I was tricked by a password scam. If you received a strange message from me in the last hour, do not click any links or send money. I am in control of my account now."

Prepared For: Cybersecurity Teams, Social Media Managers, Legal Compliance Officers, and Platform Policy Enforcers
Date: April 13, 2026
Classification: Confidential – Security Advisory The success of these scams relies on two

A “Facebook Password Giveaway” is any scheme—whether fraudulent or misguided—that encourages or requires a user to provide their Facebook login credentials (email and password) to a third party in exchange for a reward (e.g., cash, prizes, followers, or account verification). This paper analyzes the mechanics, risks, and legal ramifications of such practices. The key finding is that any password giveaway inherently violates Facebook’s Terms of Service, compromises account security, enables identity theft, and exposes participants to irreversible digital harm.

Once a scammer has your password, they will act within minutes. They will: