Kroger says Facebook posts promoting Christmas food giveaway are a hoax

Supermarket chain Kroger has warned that Facebook posts promoting a free food giveaway by the company are fake and did not originate from its verified social media account.

The Cincinnati-based chain said it was aware of the fraudulent Facebook posts being made by an account labeled kroger.com, which includes a logo and pictures of real Kroger stores, while its real Facebook account is simply Kroger, according to USA Today.

“We are aware of this fraudulent page and are working to address this matter,” Kroger responded to social media users wondering about the free food promotional. “We recommend not engaging with the posting, and we appreciate your patronage.”

@kroger this has been going around on Facebook. Scam? pic.twitter.com/z76vSKcoA6

— Autumn Shrader ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ (@Whoop101) December 21, 2019

The fake promotion appeared in several social media ads and offered users “an entire year of free groceries to four lucky families” if they were to share or comment on the post by a certain time.

“To celebrate Christmas this year we are giving a special gift of an entire year of free groceries to four lucky families that share/comment by 5:00 pm Saturday! Best of luck and Happy Holidays!” the post read in its entirety.

Several social media users engaged with the posts and messaged Kroger in the days leading up to Christmas in an attempt to verify the authenticity of the promotional and win free food.

The Hill has reached out to Kroger for comment.