In July 2024, users searched for answers about a Gordon Ramsay HexClad giveaway scam involving Lisa Vanderpump. The promises of a special HexClad cookware set giveaway originated in Facebook and Instagram video ads. The ads claimed Ramsay and Vanderpump promoted HexClad cookware giveaways as part of a promotion for their Fox TV show, “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars.” However, none of this was real or legit.
It’s true Ramsay endorsed HexClad. It’s also true the cookware company legally sells products with Ramsay’s image and likeness. However, the giveaway promotions showing up in social media ads were nothing but scams. Scammers promoted similar HexClad and Le Creuset scams with Ramsay and other celebrities in previous months. Vanderpump has no real involvement with HexClad promotions.
In this story, I’ll dial through all of the details about the videos and websites promoting this scam. I’ll also provide a customer support phone number for anyone who fell for the Gordon Ramsay HexClad giveaway scam.
Step One of the Scam: The Facebook Video Ads
A Facebook page named Cooking Stars (archived) hosted the Gordon Ramsay HexClad giveaway scam ads in July 2024. The page hosted ads for both Facebook and Instagram. The scammers’ page displayed only five followers and a creation date of June 25, 2024.
In other words, Meta accepted money for and approved scam ads for a brand Facebook new page with no history of credibility. On a similar note, Meta regularly reports billions of dollars in quarterly revenue.
In video ads for the HexClad giveaway scam, scammers generated with artificial intelligence (AI) two sets of vocals for Ramsay and Vanderpump. The fake voices made it sound as if the pair promoted a special HexClad cookware giveaway.
Video Ad Transcription
I transcribed the AI-voiced video ad featuring Ramsay and Vanderpump promoting the purported HexClad cookware giveaway:
RAMSAY: Hi guys. It’s Gordon.
VANDERPUMP: And it’s Lisa Vanderpump. We’ve teamed up together to celebrate the start of season two of “Food Stars” and bring you an exciting giveaway offer.
RAMSAY: You guys already know I love these HexClad pans and use them in my restaurants every day. Now you can get your hands on a set completely free.
VANDERPUMP: That’s right Gordon. Free. Each set contains all the tools that you need to take your kitchen to the next level.
RAMSAY: All you have to do it click the button below to claim your free set, but hurry, because this offer expires at the end of the day, and supplies are running out.
VANDERPUMP: I use them at home, and they are my go-to pans for everything I cook. Just cover the shipping charge and you can get your very own beautiful set of HexClad cookware and experience what all the hype is about.
RAMSAY: Whether you’re a Michelin star restaurant, aspiring chef or just want to upgrade your home kitchen, these HexClad pans are the best money can buy. Click below and grab yours now.
Step Two: The Landing Page for the Gordon Ramsay HexClad Giveaway Scam
I clicked the link in one of the Facebook video ads featuring the Gordon Ramsay HexClad giveaway scam. The ad landed me on a scam page mimicking the Food Network’s website, FoodNetwork.com. Mediservv.com, or specifically “mediservv.com/gordon_lisa_hexclad/gordon_lisa_lecreuset_v2.html,” was the scam website’s domain and URL. (Note the inclusion of “lecreuset” for Le Creuset in the URL, indicating these scammers also previously executed scams for that other cookware company.)
The scam landing page on mediservv.com featured words bolded by the scammers:
Gordon Ramsay and Lisa Vanderpump Partner With Food Network For HexClad Cookware Giveaway!
…
Hey everyone! It’s Gordon Ramsay & Lisa Vanderpump here, and we are beyond excited to announce that we are partnering up with HexClad to give away some of their incredible cookware to our fellow fans as part of a special promotion for Food Network! Along with this amazing giveaway, you’ll also receive a signed copy of Gordon’s latest cookbook and Lisa’s favorite kitchen recipes. If you know us, you know these are our absolute favorite cookware pieces. HexClad has been a staple in our kitchens for years, and we can’t wait to share this fantastic opportunity with all of you!
Here’s the deal – all you have to do is click the link to see if you’re eligible to receive a free HexClad cookware set. Yes, you read that right – free! The only catch is that you’ll have to pay $9.96 for shipping…
The scammers included the simple-sounding ask to pay for shipping as their method to try to fool users into giving up a credit card number.
Step Three: The Final Website
After clicking any link on the mediservv.com website, the page changed to resemble a HexClad website but still stayed on mediservv.com.
The scam then redirected users from the fake HexClad website on mediservv.com to the final website.
The final website in the scam was surpriserush.com, luckyvee.com or another page. According to GoDaddy.com WHOIS domain search, scammers registered both surpriserush.com and luckyvee.com on July 1.
The Catch of the Gordon Ramsay HexClad Giveaway Scam
On surpriserush.com and luckyvee.com, the very last paragraph of the easy-to-miss terms and conditions revealed the scam’s horrifying catch. The scheme involved pricey recurring “membership fees” of $141 per month.
This is what’s known as a hidden subscription scam: a scheme in which a product or service is promised for free but also features recurring charges hidden in hard-to-find documentation far down on the page below the form users fill out. In other words, if a user somehow didn’t notice the recurring charges for 12 months, that’s a total of at least $1,692.
The terms and conditions read:
Membership Fees:
In the event that you choose to join as an individual from the which is separate from the sweepstakes, you consent to the full enrollment charge. A one-time charge of $141.00 at checkout. You will gain admittance to our top notch content which incorporates usage of healthy meal plans application; or month to month membership to a healthy meal plans, and you can cancel at any time. You may cancel your membership whenever by reaching our customer service by email, or complementary phone 855-937-2967.
Also, you concur that for the membership segment of the enrollment, will automatically charge the same credit card you provided a fee of $141.00 (billed every 30 days) unless you choose to cancel. You may cancel your enrollment to avoid future charging and you may get a refund in the event that you cancel inside 14 days of any charge. To cancel or demand a refund call client assistance at 855-937-2967.
Note that the terms and conditions did not provide any further details about the purported “healthy meal plans application.” Some similar scams also claim the recurring charges are for a fitness mobile app.
Gordon Ramsay HexClad Giveaway Phone Number
Both surpriserush.com and luckyvee.com displayed the customer service and support phone number for the Gordon Ramsay HexClad giveaway scam as (855) 937-2967.
If readers fell victim to this scam and provided financial information, contact the financial institution and let them know what happened. For example, if you gave away a credit card number, call your credit card company.
Final Thoughts
The scammers’ identities for this Gordon Ramsay HexClad giveaway scam remain unknown. Often with these sorts of hidden subscription scams, I believe people residing in the U.S. are behind the schemes. For example, the scammers might be located in California or Florida. I often think of cities I’ve previously seen in terms and conditions documents, like Garden Grove, California, or perhaps farther south in downtown San Diego. I also suspect the scammers obtained a P.O. Box or a mailbox at a general mail store to mask their true location. However, again, these are only guesses.
Editor’s Note: Did scammers get you with this scam or another one? Please leave a comment below and tell me your story. Don’t include any personal information.