Urgent warning over ‘free chocolate eggs’ scam targeting shoppers over Easter – signs to look out for

SHOPPERS are being warned to stay alert this Easter as a dangerous new scam offering “free chocolate eggs”; does the rounds.

Cyber crooks are using fake giveaways to lure victims into handing over personal details – with promises of free goodies from big-name brands like .

The long weekend might be a time for treats, but it’s also a pricey one – with the average Brit splashing out £147 on meals, and chocolatey goodies, says finance site NerdWallet.

So, when a chance to bag free choccie eggs pops up, it’s no surprise some shoppers bite.

But it could be a con.

One X user revealed how they were nearly duped by a fake Cadbury promotion, which promised free – but was really a trap set by cyber crooks.

It said: “We would like to offer you a unique opportunity to receive a new Ultimate Selection box! To claim, simple take this short survey about your experience withCadbury.”

Victims are lured in with the promise of – but after clicking the dodgy link, they’re asked to hand over personal info or payment details, giving scammers full access to their cash.

Experts are warning of a surge in these scams around Easter, as prey on .

According to NerdWallet, the cons can cost victims a cracking £7,448 on average – turning a sweet deal into a nightmare.

Experts say the is spreading fast across and messaging apps.

Adam French, consumer finance expert at NerdWallet, has urged Brits to stay sharp as Easter approaches – warning that scam are popping up all over social media.

“These scams, often mimicking big-name chocolate brands like Cadbury, tend to spike around this time of year,”; he said.

Fraudsters are targeting platforms like and with fake Cadbury promos, offering free chocolate hampers in return for surveys or clicks on shady links.

Adam added: “While they might look the part – with official logos, fake comments, and cloned websites – they’re not linked to Cadbury, who’ve confirmed they never run giveaways like this.”;

Some stores are offering genuine – but shoppers should be wary of any promotions not from official sources.

According to Adam, these aren’t just about pinching your pennies – they’re carefully crafted to harvest personal data, lure people into costly subscriptions, or even swipe payment details straight from under their noses.

“In some cases, ask for card info and can steal money directly,”; he warned.

“But more often, they’re after your personal information, which can be used to carry out impersonation scams further down the line.”;

And it doesn’t stop there – victims may also find themselves unwittingly signed up to pricey monthly services, draining their bank accounts long after the have melted.

To steer clear of the scam, Adam says the golden rule is simple – always check the source.

On social media, that means making sure any promotion comes from a verified account – not a dodgy lookalike.

He added: “If in doubt, head straight to the brand’s official website or contact their customer service team before clicking on any links or handing over details.”;

A quick check could save you from a costly nightmare.

However, there are plenty of deals out there are legit and totally safe to snap up, as shoppers are racing to get their hands on from a major high street chain.

You could get a huge by following just a few quick and easy steps.

And Asdajust in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.