Consumers are being warned to exercise caution when engaging with online reward programmes, membership-based giveaways, or social media promotions that require payment or personal information in exchange for a chance to win prizes.
Consumer Council of Fiji CEO Seema Shandil stresses that these platforms, often promoted on social media and through mobile apps, lure users with promises of high-value prizes.
She adds that the Council has identified critical red flags and the selection process for winners is typically not transparent or verifiable, and participants are often pressured to upgrade by paying different fees for various membership tiers to increase their chances of winning.
Shandil urges consumers to remain vigilant, adding that online reward schemes and paid giveaways can be very appealing, but they are not always legitimate.
She says the practice of charging different fees for different levels of access may constitute a misleading and deceptive practice under consumer protection laws.
She says consumers are essentially paying for an unverifiable chance, with no guarantee of a fair draw.
She further stresses that consumers should never pay to participate in prize draws, they should verify whether businesses hold the appropriate licences, and should avoid sharing personal financial information with unverified operators.
Questions have been sent to Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission.
