Kroger says Christmas food giveaway contest is a hoax

Facebook posts promoting a food giveaway contest by the Kroger supermarket chain are drawing plenty of buzz on social media. The problem is they are a hoax, the industry giant says.

The promotion was posted on a fake Facebook account labeled kroger.com and includes photos of actual Kroger stores. Kroger's real website is kroger.com, but it's Facebook account is simply Kroger.

The faux post reads: "To celebrate Christmas this year we are giving a special gift of an entire year of free groceries to four lucky families that share/comment by 5:00 pm Saturday! Best of luck and Happy Holidays!"

It would be a great deal if it were true. It isn't. The true origins of the hoax were not immediately clear.

"We are aware of this fraudulent page and are working to address this matter," the grocery chain responded to people who inquired on social media. "We recommend not engaging with the posting, and we appreciate your patronage."

Kroger operates grocery stores under Kroger and other names, among them Dillons and Harris Teeter, across most of the nation.

Kroger is not the only store that has faced a social media hoax in recent days. Last month, wholesale retailer Costco was warning customers about a scam promising shoppers a $75 coupon. 

Despite several posts out there, the company said it is not giving away $75 coupons.

"While we love our fans and our members, this offer is a SCAM, and in no way affiliated with Costco," the company wrote on its Facebook page. "Thanks to our fans for letting us know about this recurring hoax." "

Contributing: Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati Enquirer