"Facebook Instagram Research Study" Survey Scam

Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

"Facebook Instagram Research Study" Survey Scam

The survey below, which goes by the name "Instagram Research Study Survey," is a scam. The survey scam was created by cyber-criminals to trick potential victims into completing a survey that will ask them for their personal and other sensitive information. The information collected can be used to help scammers deceived their potential victims into sending them money or more information. Also, the scammers make the scam more tempting by promising their potential victims a $100 Amazon gift card for taking part, and make the email message, which contains a link to the survey, appear as if it came from a Facebook email address (fbresearch@fb.com), when it was actually sent from some other email account.

So, if you have received the “Instagram Research Study” survey (see below), please do not take part in it.

The Instagram Research Study Survey Email Scam

From: fbresearch@fb.com
Hello,
Instagram is holding a series of 60-minute, remote research studies on Wednesday, February 3rd and Friday, February 5th.
We are looking to interview small business owners or people who work at small businesses to better understand how you use Instagram to promote your business.
As a token of our appreciation, if you participate in the study, you'll receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this brief survey: https://facebook.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1HSZ hU203rxs7Qx
We will contact you directly if you are selected for the study.
To participate, you will need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have access to a computer and reliable internet
Feel free to reply directly with any questions, thanks!
Justin
Instagram Research
1 Hacker Way | Menlo Park | 94025 | CA, USA
Not your thing? Unsubscribe from all future emails asking for feedback.
Instagram

The Fake Instagram Research Study Survey

Instagram Research Study Survey
Thank you for your interest in Instagram User Research studies.
We are looking for small business owners or people who work at small businesses to interview to better understand how you use Instagram to promote and run your business.
We are looking for people 18 years or older to participate in a 60-minute remote research study on Wednesday, February 3rd or Friday, February 5th.
The study will be run remotely and you can participate from wherever you are while on your computer and phone.
To thank you for your time, you'll receive a $100 Amazon gift card if you are selected to participate.
We value user privacy and your answers to this survey will be strictly confidential and ONLY be used for study recruiting purposes.

Online Threat Alerts (OTA) https://www.onlinethreatalerts.com/

Comments / Answers (23)

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Comment count 23

Feb 1, 2020 by an anonymous user from: New York, United States

Is this scam?

Hello -____(< my username)

Instagram is holding a 2 hour long focus group sessions on Tuesday, February 11th. This study will be held at Instagram's office in Downtown New York City (Near Astor Place). We want to learn more about how people use Instagram and how we can make it a better experience.

As a token of our appreciation, if you participate in the focus group, you'll receive a $200 Instagram Research e-Reward redeemable for e-gift cards through PerksWW.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey. Available times are located in the survey. If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions, thanks!

KimI KogachI Instagram Research
1 Facebook Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, USA

Sep 10, 2020 by an anonymous user from: Illinois, United States

I just got that too

Feb 1, 2020 by info

What is the "From" address of the email?

Jan 4, 2019 by an anonymous user from: Santa Monica, California, United States

I got this email today. Of course I had to research this, very easy to spot, scam:

"Instagram is holding 60-minute research studies on Monday, January 14th and Tuesday, January 15th at our Los Angeles office (near Marina Del Rey), and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! To help us improve your Instagram experience, you'll be meeting one-on-one with an Instagram researcher to share your thoughts and feedback.

As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a $100 Instagram e-Reward (redeemable for a selection of popular e-gift cards through PerksWW) for your time if you are selected and participate in the study.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey. Available times are listed in the survey. If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions, thanks!

Dan Nguyen Facebook & Instagram Research
https://research.fb.com/people/nguyen-dan
1 Facebook Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, USA"

Aug 30, 2018 by info

Here is another scam:

"From: Instagram User Experience Research
Date: August 20, 2018 at 3:17:04 PM EDT
Subject: Invitation to Participate in an Instagram Research Study!
Reply-To: amakeda-fb.com

Hello,

Instagram is holding 60-minute research studies on Tuesday, 8/28 or Thursday, 8/30 at our New York office (lower Manhattan, near Astor Place), and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! We want to learn more about how people use Instagram and how we can make it a better experience for you. As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a $100 Amazon e-gift card for your time if you are selected and participate in the study.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey. Available times are listed in the survey. If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions, thanks!

Makeda Adisu Facebook & Instagram Research

Not your thing? Unsubscribe from all future emails asking for feedback."

Jul 24, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Brentwood, England, United Kingdom

Got the Instagram one about two hours ago, filled the survey in only to realise later that it's a scam.

Opened the email and replied to the survey on an iPhone 6S device. What can they access??

I've already changed the password on Gmail, Instagram and Facebook.

Please advise!

Jul 24, 2018 by info

Just be careful going forward. If you didn't send them your credentials then they cannot access your account.

Jul 26, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Brentwood, England, United Kingdom

Thank you!

I have now received another email. Immediately deleted it. What does that mean?? Have they successfully gotten any details off me?

Help!

Jul 26, 2018 by info

Just be careful going forward.

Jun 6, 2018 by info

Here is another scam:

"From: Instagram User Experience Research
Date: June 6, 2018 at 12:13:58 PM EDT
Subject: Participate in an Instagram Research Study! (June 18, 20, 21)
Reply-To: dmnguyen-fb.com

Hello,

Instagram is holding 60-minute research studies on June 18th, 20th, and 21st and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! This is a remote study where you may participate from your webcam-enabled computer. We want to learn more about how people use Instagram and how we can make it a better experience for you. As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a $75 electronic Amazon gift card for your time if you are selected and participate in the study.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey. Available times are listed in the survey. If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions, thanks!

Dan Nguyen Facebook & Instagram Research
https://research.fb.com/people/nguyen-dan
1 Facebook Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, USA"

Jun 22, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Newark, New Jersey, United States

Another one:

**Begins**

Subject: Instagram User Experience Research
From: research-mail.instagram.com

Hello,

Instagram is holding 60-minute research studies on Thursday, 6/28 or Friday, 6/29 at our New York office, and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! We want to learn more about how people use Instagram and how we can make it a better experience for you.

As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a $75 electronic Amazon gift card for your time if you are selected and participate in the study.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey.

Available times are listed in the survey. If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions, thanks!

Dianne Lam Facebook & Instagram Research
https://research.fb.com/people/lam-dianne

Not your thing? Unsubscribe from all future emails asking for feedback.

**Ends**

May 3, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Pittsboro, North Carolina, United States

Just got a similar email, filled out the survey but didn't give ANY info (only yes or no questions) but now I have login attempts on my gmail in Russia. fml.

Apr 26, 2018 by info

Here is another scam:

"From: Instagram User Experience Research
Date: April 25, 2018 at 20:41:09 EDT
Subject: Upcoming Instagram Research study!

https://s-static.intern.facebook.com/ rsrc.php/v3/yJ/r/DITVTZkGlbO.png

Hello from Instagram!

Instagram is holding a Mobile Research study and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! The study will be held remotely and you can participate from wherever you are using your mobile phone, using an app called dscout.

The commitment will be over a 7 day period from Monday, May 14th through Monday May 21st.

As a thank you, if you are selected and complete participation, you will receive a $200 Amazon e-gift card. Participants will also have the opportunity to be selected for a follow-up remote interview and receive an additional $75 Amazon e-gift card.

If you are interested in participating, please Click Here to complete this brief questionnaire.

We will contact you directly if you are selected for the study.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Dianne Lam

Facebook & Instagram Research

1 Facebook Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA

https://research.fb.com/people/lam-dianne/

Not your thing? Unsubscribe from all future emails asking for feedback."

Mar 12, 2018 by info

Here is another scam:

"From: Instagram User Experience Research [research-instagram.com]
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 2:12 PM
Subject: Upcoming Remote Instagram Research Study on 3/19, 3/20, 3/21 or 3/22

Hello,

We are looking for people 18 years or older to participate in an upcoming research study. The study will be run remotely and you can participate from wherever you are while on your computer and webcam.

The sessions will run for 45 minutes and are scheduled to take place on 3/19, 3/20, 3/21 or 3/22 Available time slots are located at the end of the survey.

To thank you for participating, you'll receive a $75 Amazon e-gift card if you are selected and participate in the study.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete this brief survey.

If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Dianne

Dianne Lam Facebook & Instagram Research
1 Facebook Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, USA
https://research.fb.com/people/lam-dianne/"

Mar 1, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Sao Paulo, Brazil

I've got this email and gave all the information they've asked!! what do I do now?

Mar 1, 2018 by info

If you gave them personal information only, then just be careful going forward because the scammers will contact you. If you gave them financial information, contact your bank for help.

Jan 30, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Hi there,

this is the one that I got:

"Instagram uses feedback directly from people like you to improve the app. This survey should take no longer than 4 minutes of your time and will help us improve Instagram for you and the Instagram community.

Your information will be used for research purposes only. We will not share your personally identifiable information with anyone outside of Instagram. You can learn more in our Data Use Policy.

Thanks,
The Instagram Research Team"

Jan 24, 2018 by info

Here is another scam:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Instagram User Experience Research"
Date: Jan 23, 2018 3:33 PM
Subject: Participate in an upcoming Instagram Research study in February 8-9th!

Hello

Thank you for your interest in Instagram research! We are constantly trying to improve our Instagram experience and would love your feedback.

The study will be run remotely and you can participate from any private location on a laptop or desktop. This will be taking place on Thursday, February 8th or Friday, February 9th. If you are selected and participate, you will receive a $75 Amazon e-gift card.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete this brief survey. If you are selected for the study, we will contact you directly and will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

Thank you,

Winnie Liu Facebook & Instagram Research
1 Hacker Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, US

Jan 24, 2018 by an anonymous user from: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Yes got the same one myself. So annoying

Jan 11, 2018 by an anonymous user from: San Jose, California, United States

I just received a more general one from 'facebook' today. I'm from the Bay Area, so they went for the actual Menlo HQ in this one.

They also spoofed the 'from:' field to the much more legitimate looking , though the replyto was still '-fb.com', and the survey is still on qualtrics.com.

If facebook wanted you to take an online survey, I guarantee it would be on their own domain, ad would probably be solicited within the facebook website itself.

"""
Subject: Upcoming Facebook Research Study on 1/22 or 1/24 in Menlo Park, CA

Facebook Research

Hello,

Facebook is holding a 60-minute research study on January 22nd or January 24th at our Menlo Park, CA headquarters, and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! Available time slots are located in the survey.

We want to learn more about how people use Facebook and how we can make it a better experience. As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a $75 Amazon electronic gift card for your time spent participating in the study.

If you are interested in participating, please complete this brief survey: Click Here.

If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions.

Thank you!

Dianne

Dianne Lam Facebook Research

1 Facebook Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, USA

https://research.fb.com/people/lam-dianne/

"""

Oct 25, 2017 by an anonymous user from: Kingston, St. Andrew, Jamaica

Received the following:

"From: Instagram User Experience Research
Date: 24 October 2017 at 18:55:54 GMT-4
Subject: Participate in an Instagram Research Study! (Nov. 2-7)

Hello,

Instagram is holding a 6-day diary study from November 2nd to 7th, Pacific Time and we’re hoping you might be interested in participating! The commitment will be daily self-report diary tasks, taking about 15-30 minutes per day. These tasks can be completed remotely from your phone or computer. If you are selected to participate, you have the opportunity to receive up to $150 USD Amazon e-gift card or Visa equivalent with full participation.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey. If you are selected for the study, you will receive a follow-up call or email with more details.

Please don't hesitate to reply with any questions, thanks!

Dan Nguyen Facebook & Instagram Research
1 Facebook Way Menlo Park 94025 CA, USA"

Oct 24, 2017 by an anonymous user from: Cavan-Monaghan, Ontario, Canada

I received an email today to take part in an Instagram survey starting Nov 2, 2017 for an Amazon gift card for $150.

Oct 13, 2017 by an anonymous user from: Hatfield, Pennsylvania, United States

I got one of these, but it said it was from Facebook, not Instagram.