The Truth Behind the McCormick Spice Set Ad on Facebook

Is McCormick Spice Set on Facebook Legit Or Scam | McCormick Spice Set Review

In late January 2025, a suspicious McCormick Spice Set advertisement began circulating on Facebook, luring users with an irresistible deal. The post claims that McCormick is celebrating its 135th anniversary by offering a premium spice set for just $14.95 after completing a short survey. Sounds too good to be true? That’s because it is.

How the Scam Works

The scam operates in a typical deceptive fashion, leveraging fake testimonials and a false sense of urgency to trick unsuspecting users into handing over their personal and financial information. The Facebook post usually reads something like this:

“My sister who works at McCormick told me you can get a spice set for just $14.95 by answering a short survey. I already received mine—see the attached photo! Share this with your friends!”

A link is included, leading users to a website that impersonates McCormick. However, this is where things start to unravel.

A Fake Website Disguised as McCormick

Clicking on the provided link redirects users to a shady website such as “gentleharmony.LF” — a domain completely unrelated to McCormick. The page features a fake survey with simple questions like:

• Do you like McCormick spices?
• Have you used McCormick products before?
• Would you recommend McCormick?

Regardless of your answers, you are led to a “prize claim” page. Here’s where the real deception kicks in: a fake prize wheel or confirmation screen appears, making it seem like you’ve won the spice set. However, to claim it, you are asked to enter your credit card details.

The Hidden Subscription Trap

Once you provide your payment information, you unknowingly enroll in a hidden subscription service. While the initial cost appears to be $14.95, the fine print in the terms and conditions (buried at the bottom of the page) reveals that you are actually subscribing to an ongoing service that charges anywhere from $89.95 to $119.95 per month until you manually cancel.

These charges are often labeled as fees for “exclusive deals” or “ebook libraries,” but in reality, victims rarely receive anything of value. The scam plays on the fact that many users do not check their bank statements frequently, allowing multiple unauthorized charges before they realize what’s happening.

What to Do If You Fell for the Scam

If you’ve already entered your credit card information, act fast:

1. Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Provider: Report the fraudulent charges and request a chargeback.
2. Cancel Any Active Subscriptions: If you received a confirmation email, follow the cancellation instructions immediately.
3. Monitor Your Bank Statements: Keep an eye out for any unfamiliar charges that might appear under different merchant names.
4. Report the Scam to Facebook: Mark the ad as fraudulent to prevent others from falling victim.
5. Warn Others: Share this information with friends and family to raise awareness.

How to Identify and Avoid Similar Scams

1. Check the Website URL: A legitimate company like McCormick will always use an official domain (e.g., mccormick.com). If the link looks suspicious, don’t click it.
2. Read the Fine Print: Always scroll to the bottom of a promotional page and read the terms and conditions before entering payment details.
3. Look for Unrealistic Discounts: If an offer sounds too good to be true—like a $150 spice set for $14.95—it probably is.
4. Be Wary of Urgency Tactics: Scammers create a sense of urgency by claiming “limited-time offers” or showing countdown timers.
5. Google the Offer: A quick search for “[product name] scam” can reveal warnings from other victims.

Final Thoughts

The McCormick Spice Set Facebook ad is a textbook example of a hidden subscription scam, and it serves as a reminder to always be cautious when encountering incredible online deals. McCormick has not issued any official promotions like this, and legitimate giveaways will never require payment beyond standard shipping costs.

If you found this information helpful, be sure to share it with others to prevent more people from falling victim to this scam. Stay safe online and always verify before you buy!

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