NATIONWIDE -- A popular holiday “scam” on Facebook is back.

  • The BBB is warning consumers again this year that the Secret Sister Gift Exchange is fake.
  • The bureau also calls them pyramid schemes. 
  • It first began circulating in 2015. 

Called the “Secret Sister Gift Exchange,” the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about it again this year. 

Posts about the exchange first began circulating in 2015 and it has begun popping back up for this holiday season.

According to the viral posts, people who participate will receive 36 gifts for sending one gift that’s valued at $10. Next, you invite others to participate and you’ll allegedly receive information on where to mail your gifts.

However, the BBB says Secret Sister and gift chains like it are pyramid schemes. If you participate in illegal gambling, you could be subject to mail fraud.

According to the bureau, here’s how it works: “If a consumer purchases one gift for a stranger, she will receive as many as 36 gifts in return. This type of gift exchange may seem reasonable enough in theory: six friends invite six more friends, who all send gifts to the participant in spot 1 before that person’s named is removed. This process repeats itself with the participant in the 2 spot, and so on. Of course, starting this gift exchange comes with a catch – you need to disclose your personal information, such as your home address.”

They are asking folks to report the post to Facebook if you see one and if you receive a letter by mail or email, to ignore it.