Updated 11/20/19

Consumer experts say scams tend to peak as the holidays approach. One scam making the rounds in Giles County and surrounding counties this year involve gifts that you may see on social media.

The “Secret Sister Scam” should be ignored, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The scam is essentially a social media chain letter and it promises 36 gifts in exchange for sending a stranger a $10 gift.

“Anytime something sounds too good to be true, I’m going to buy one gift and get 36 back, chances are, it’s not true,” said Robyn Householder of the Better Business Bureau.

The Secret Sister Scam is popping up on Facebook and Reddit and is a pyramid scheme since it involves several levels of people.

"When you get involved, they are asking for lots of personal information, you name, your address, shipping information to get these gifts," said Householder.

With that information, individuals are dealing with a potential identity theft issue, according to the BBB.

Householder said they are seeing more and more scams targeted directly to young people because they are used to seeing information and making decisions very quickly.