One of the most widespread tactics used by online scammers is to use the name of a famous brand, company, or organization to make it seem like their claims are legitimate. Case in point, TraderGifted.com is a fraudulent site that misleads you into thinking that it represents the legitimate Trader Joe’s brand (grocery store chain).
It’s a site that aims to get you to start an expensive monthly subscription without your knowledge. In other words, the scammers behind TraderGifted.com attempt to steal money from you and technically do it with your, albeit uninformed, permission.
To learn more about this scam in order to avoid it and others like it, I strongly suggest that you stay on this page and read the next paragraphs.
What Is the TraderGifted.com Scam?
The TraderGifted.com scam is all about making you think and believe you can earn some money quickly or win an expensive prize, such as the latest iPhone, by simply filling in a brief survey that should take no more than a couple of minutes. Since the promised sum isn’t all that significant, it’s not too unbelievable that this particular time, the too-good-to-be-true offer might actually be real. Of course, that’s not the case, but it’s best to realize it before falling for the scam, which works in the following way:
- The Bait:
The site flashes an offer that sounds almost too good to be true: complete a few steps and claim a $700 Trader Joe’s gift card or a brand new iPhone. - The Hook:
- You sign up, entering your email and some basic details.
- You’re told to complete 35 “recommended deals” to qualify for the reward.
- These “deals” range from downloading apps to filling out surveys or signing up for free trials.
- Pay a small $9.90 transfer/shipping fee.
- The Reality Check:
- Each deal you complete? It’s making money for them through affiliate marketing. Meanwhile, you’re stuck doing tedious tasks, and—spoiler alert—you’ll never see that gift card.
- After you’ve completed all the required steps, you’ve unknowingly started a subscription that will charge your banking account anywhere between $89 and $299 ever couple of weeks.
- The Sneaky Redirect:
After signing up, you’re whisked away to another site. Sometimes they’ll even ask you to scan a QR code. Yeah, that’s as shady as it sounds. Scanning random QR codes can expose your device to malware or leak your personal data.
As you can see, it’s a pretty standard type of online scheme, similar to HunnyBank and Bumble7 scams, yet many people have already fallen for it. The reason for that will be explained in a bit.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen for the TraderGifted.com Scam
The good thing about the TraderGifted.com is that it doesn’t steal a huge amount of money at once. Instead, it relies on slowly and sneakily draining your bank account over time. This gives you the opportunity to react and put an end to the scam. Here are the steps I recommend you perform if you’ve already fallen into the TraderGifted.com trap:
- Lock Down Your Accounts
- Change your passwords immediately, especially if you reused the same one across sites.
- Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security.
- Watch Your Bank Accounts Like a Hawk
- Keep an eye out for any weird charges on your credit or debit cards.
- Contact your bank if anything looks off. Ask them to freeze your account and assist you in resolving the fraudulent subscription problem.
- Scan for Malware
- If you scanned that sketchy QR code or downloaded anything, run a full malware scan on your devices.
- Use a reliable antivirus program to clean up any threats.
- Report the Scam
- Report the website to the FTC or your local consumer protection agency.
- Let Trader Joe’s know their name is being misused.
- Stay Alert
- Be extra cautious about strange emails or messages. Scammers love to sell your info to other fraudsters.
- Educate yourself on new scam tactics so you’re ready next time.
As for any money you’ve already lost, the chances of restoring it aren’t high, but the important thing now is to do all you can to limit further damage to your assets.
Techniques Used by the TraderGifted.com Scam
Schemes like TraderGifted.com use various manipulation techniques to lure users and get them to cooperate, thinking they are about to win some kind of prize. Being aware of those techniques will make you a lot more likely to notice similar scams in the future and stay away from them:
- They Profit Off Your Effort
Every app you download, every survey you fill out, every free trial you start—it’s all padding the scammers’ pockets. They get paid; you get nothing. - Redirects Are a Huge Red Flag
Legitimate companies don’t redirect you to unrelated third-party websites. TraderGifted.com sending you to Level.com? That’s sketchy. Add in the QR code they want you to scan, and now we’re talking serious risk—malware, phishing, you name it. - Sloppy Website Design
Real brands invest in polished websites. This one? TraderGifted.com looks like it was slapped together in a hurry. Poor layout, bad design, and questionable content. Legit companies—especially big ones like Trader Joe’s—don’t operate like that. - Too Good to Be True? It Is.
Come on, a $700 gift card for clicking around online? That’s not how giveaways work. If Trader Joe’s wanted to give away gift cards, they’d do it through their official site or verified channels—not through some random, unverified website.
A general rule of thumb that holds true in almost all cases is that nothing on the Internet that’s aggressively advertised as free is truly free. So always use your common sense whenever an offer like this comes your way.
TraderGifted.com Scam Red Flags
Most online scams have plenty of red flags that can easily give them away. You just need to have the clarity and level-headedness to spot the warning signs that you are the target of a scam. Here are the most notable signs of scams like TraderGifted.com:
- Instant Redirects to Suspicious Sites
Signing up on TraderGifted.com and getting bounced over to Level.com is your first clue that something’s off. Reputable companies don’t play redirect games. - QR Codes from Strangers? Nope.
If they’re asking you to scan a QR code, run. That’s an easy way for scammers to sneak malware onto your device or steal sensitive info. - Endless Tasks with No Payoff
35 deals. Each taking 10–20 minutes. Do the math—that’s hours of your life gone, and for what? Legitimate programs don’t make you jump through endless hoops for a reward. - Amateur Website Design
If the site looks like it was built overnight, with awkward layouts and poor grammar, that’s a problem. Legit brands care about how they present themselves. - Offers That Don’t Add Up
Let’s be honest: who’s handing out $700 just because you downloaded a few apps? Exactly.
How to Avoid Scams Like This
Avoiding scams doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to protect yourself:
- Verify Before You Trust
Always double-check giveaways through official websites or verified social media pages. If it’s real, you’ll find proof. - Don’t Click or Scan Random Stuff
No sketchy links. No QR codes from strangers. Period. - Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Stop reusing passwords. Use a password manager if you need help keeping track. - Enable 2FA Everywhere
Two-factor authentication makes it harder for scammers to break into your accounts. - Do a Quick Search
Type the website name into Google with “scam” next to it. You’d be surprised how many people warn others.
Final Thoughts
The TraderGifted.com scam is a textbook example of how scammers prey on curiosity and greed. They dangle a $700 Trader Joe’s gift card, and before you know it, you’re knee-deep in tasks that only make them richer.
They count on people not noticing the red flags: the shady redirects, the sloppy website, the unrealistic promises. But now? You know better.
If you’ve already been caught up in this mess, take action now—secure your accounts, scan your devices, and report what happened.
And remember, next time something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Stay sharp. Stay safe.
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