Cadbury has issued a warning to the public over a free Easter chocolate scam that has been circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

People have been receiving a message that contains a link claiming to offer the recipient a free chocolate hamper.

However, the chocolate manufacturer has confirmed that the offer is not genuine and warned consumers not to interact with it.

“We’ve been made aware of circulating posts on social media claiming to offer consumers a free Easter chocolate basket,” the company said on Twitter.

We’ve been made aware of circulating posts on social media claiming to offer consumers a free Easter Chocolate basket. We can confirm this hasn't been generated by us & we urge consumers not to interact. Your security is our priority & we’re currently working to resolve this.

“We can confirm this hasn’t been generated by us & we urge consumers not to interact.”

The public has also been warned about the scam by Merseyside Police, with the force saying it is an “attempt to gain access to your personal details”.

What sort of scam is the free chocolate message?

The message appears to be a phishing scam.

Online Safety Bill: Couple whose daughter, 15, killed herself after accessing websites welcome new bill

Revenge porn: Woman whose explicit images were viewed 48,000 times online without consent says victims ‘suffering in silence’

Cyber flashing to be made a crime – and perpetrators face possible prison time

Phishing is when criminals use scam emails, texts or phone calls to trick their victims.

They usually aim to make the recipient visit a website, which may download a virus onto their device, steal bank details or get them to hand over personal information.

The information can then be used to gain access to financial details or online bank accounts.

What to look out for?

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advises people to consider carefully before clicking any link they are sent, unsolicited, by an organisation.

Read more: ‘Alarming’ growth in fraud in the UK as scam adverts dupe victims out of ‘large sums of money’, MPs warn

It also encourages people to look for tell-tale signs including poor spelling or grammar, or a sense of urgency in the messaging to try to encourage a rash decision.

A generic greeting, misspelled email addresses or domain names and a bank asking for personal financial information are also indicators of a phishing scam.

Related posts:

Man wins court battle over Betfred’s refusal to pay out £1.7m jackpot Mother-of-three was attacked by American bulldogs after argument with her daughter Man, 20, arrested on suspicion of murder of woman found dead in shrubbery Zero daily COVID deaths reported in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland Ospreys return from extinction in England and Wales – as breeding programme celebrates 200th chick How are the UK’s travel lists decided? UK records 37,011 new COVID cases and 68 more deaths, daily figures show UK Afghanistan veterans have taken their own lives over withdrawal – armed forces minister Uncertainty as schools return – could parents socialising trigger spike in COVID cases? Extremist views flourishing in schools thanks to dangerous online content, teachers say Liz Truss comments sparked Putin decision to put nuclear deterrence forces on high alert, Kremlin says Former double world darts champion charged with sexual assault