Hoax – Barilla is throwing away pasta sets due to a contract break and giving them for free to people over 45 who answer a quiz.
Analysis
Barilla is one of the leading pasta brands in the world and, for that reason, it is often targeted by fake campaigns that take advantage of its prestige. Scams involving fake promotions or free giveaways from major companies spread easily on social media, especially because they promise attractive benefits with little effort. Many of these malicious ads use fake websites to collect sensitive information from unsuspecting users.
In recent days, a supposed Barilla promotion has been circulating in the United States and other countries. The content claims that the company is giving away pasta kits for free to people over 45 due to a contract break. The post is sponsored on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and it has also been shared via WhatsApp. In some cases, the scam is written in English, but there are already versions in other languages. Read:
English: Barilla is literally throwing away brand-new Anniversary Pasta Sets due to the contract breaking over tariff hikes. Available to Americans aged 45 and older. Answer 4 questions to claim yours!
Fact-check
The alleged promotion has raised suspicion. So we are here to say: it’s a scam. To verify, let’s answer the following: 1) Is Barilla giving away free pasta kits due to a contract break? 2) What did Barilla say about the matter? 3) What happens if you follow all the steps in the message?
Is Barilla giving away free pasta kits due to a contract break?
No. The message circulating online is completely false. The claim that the company is throwing away pasta kits due to a contract termination is just a pretext to attract clicks and carry out scams. The campaign’s structure itself (a generic site with simple questions and the promise of free gifts) is typical of online scams. There is no official mention of this promotion on Barilla’s channels. On the contrary:
What did Barilla say about the matter?
Barilla US issued an official statement on its social media denying the promotion. The brand stated that it is not conducting any giveaway or free kit delivery related to a contract break. It also warned that any legitimate campaign will always be available on its official channels or website. Barilla also emphasized that it never requests sensitive personal information or payment details to participate in its promotional actions. Read:
Barilla US is aware of several accounts falsely claiming that Barilla is holding a promotional giveaway. Unfortunately, these types of posts are scams, and we advise you to be aware of fraudulent accounts and avoid participating in giveaways or promotions that are not directly hosted on our official channels or Barilla-owned website.
Barilla will never request payments or personal information beyond confirming your name and mailing address for a giveaway or other promotion. We have reported this fraudulent activity and are actively working with Meta to have it removed. If you encounter such a scam, we encourage you to report it directly through the platform.
What happens if you follow all the steps in the message?
If you click the link and follow the instructions, you’ll be taken to an unofficial website where you may be asked to provide personal and even banking information. Some scam versions allow the user to select a “model” of the gift and later request credit card details. There are reports of victims who, after filling out this information, had unauthorized charges on their cards. It’s a classic scam that uses a false sense of urgency and exclusivity to deceive users.
Conclusion
The story that Barilla is giving away free pasta kits due to a contract break is false. The company has denied the claim, classifying the messages as fraudulent. This is yet another online scam using a famous company’s name to steal sensitive data from internet users.
Scam ⚠️
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