Free Diaper Scam Pops Up in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois Facebook Groups
What looks to be a post promising parents free diapers for their babies, is actually a scam.
Diapers Are Expensive
As a new mom, I know how expensive diapers are. It's one of our biggest new expenses over the last 10 months since my son was born. So I definitely see the strain having to purchase diapers can put on families. This is part of the reason this scam makes me so mad. There are so many parents in the Tri-State area who need help when it comes to purchasing supplies for their babies. No parent should have to go without clean diapers for their baby, and I think that's why this post makes me so mad on a personal level. Posts like these prey on people who are most vulnerable and need help. It's like kicking someone when they're down, it's so frustrating.
How does this scam work?
This one is weird because a profile that looks somewhat legit will post photos into Facebook groups. In this instance, I caught it in the Owensboro Free Stuff group on Facebook.
The post reads:
We’re holding a diaper give away event in Owensboro on the 31st of July (baby box drive style) venue to be announced for more info visit us on *website address deleted because it's a scam*if you want BOXES of diapers, wipes, and other Huggies and Pampers supplies at no charge.Please admins help us support the community, Thank you… #boomchallenge
The post is accompanied by photos of boxes of diapers and people handing diapers out. Here's the thing though there's no info about where the diaper giveaway will be held, and there's also no information about times it will be given away.
The link will take you to a form where you are asked to fill out the information about yourself. This is basically a phishing scam where this looks like a post doing something good, but it's just a way to get your information.
Earlier this year the exact same scam popped up in Texas.
If You Are In Need of Diapers
I'm so frustrated writing this because there are many in our community in need of items like free diapers, and this is just such a gross way to scam people who could use the help most.
If you are in need of diapers, there IS help. I went to Google and typed in "Evansville Indiana free diapers" and several local organizations that specialize in helping families in need popped up. Same with Kentucky, and Illinois. There are diaper banks located all around the Tri-State area willing to help.