Tech Report: Is Facebook’s gift trend a scam?

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A “Sister Secret Santa Gift Exchange” viral post on Facebook has been trending all day and has turned into a controversy.

People are confused. Is this viral post a scam?

The post asks you to buy a $10 gift and mail it to one of your Facebook friends. Then, it asks you to pass along the post with further instructions, nominating other friends to participate.

If you do, you are promised to receive up to 36 gifts in the mail from your friends who play along. It is a very attractive thought to spend only $10, and in return, receive dozens of gifts.

Authorities are warning that this resembles a pyramid scheme, similar to the type that use to be popular in the 90s, but it was based on letters that came in the mail.

All over tech news headlines and social media, people are warning to beware of the gift exchange post. Facebook has yet to comment on this.

Because these are sent through the mail to people’s homes or work, this involves the postal service and that could be a problem. Chain letters are illegal.

And this is being compared to that, like a Facebook version of the chain letter gift scheme.

According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the $10 present you put in the mail could be considered “of value,” and the exchange promises you a “substantial return.”

That is a form of gambling and it’s illegal. KRON shared a news article about the issue earlier.

Hundreds of people commented on our social media posts saying, it is not a scam, and they have had a successful experience with this Secret Santa thing.  Many people referred to it as a positive movement, something that encourages generosity and positivity.

KRON chatted with several people, who said they participated in this thing and have had no trouble and have received gifts in the mail as expected. The people KRON talked to were not concerned about how many gifts, or getting gifts at all.

They just liked the idea of sending someone a little surprise gift through the mail, trying to make their day. After all, it’s just $10.

Jennifer Veon Valley lives in Livermore and talked about her experience.

“I don’t think it’s a scam,” Valley said. “It’s nice to come home and have a gift waiting for you from someone that you know. You will receive some awesome stuff as well as get to bless someone from the get go.”

Jenifer said she sent one gift out and has received nine gifts so far from current and old friends, all from people she knows now or knew in her past.

She has been so moved by this experience that a couple days ago, she posted a picture showing people the proof. She laid out all her gifts she has received so far.

“A beautiful Harry and David gift basket, a book on being a mom, a necklace, just really great thoughtful gifts that any mom or woman would love,” Valley said.

Jennifer said this Secret Santa movement also helped her reconnect with an old sorority sister who sent her gift as part of this program.

“It was really nice to connect with someone from the past,” Valley said. “It had been 15 years since we talked, and it was great to meet up through the Secret Santa thing. She sent me a great card and picture from our past.”

Tech reporter Gabe Slate recommends you do this with close friends or family only, people you trust because your address will be out there.

He said do not do this with strangers on Facebook, or friends of friends. Basically, don’t do it with people you don’t know, Gabe said.