Online scams have steadily risen with the expanding digital world. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), over 75,000 victims have reported fraud on social media platforms, accounting for about $770 million in losses. Fake advertisements are becoming more difficult to spot as scammers are getting better at making their advertisements look legitimate. We are here to bring awareness to the problem and help you protect yourself from online thieves. Here are 10 red flags that you are about to click on a scam ad on social media.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals
While companies often put their merchandise on sale, a deal that looks too good to be true should be approached with caution. Say you’re browsing social media and come across an ad for your favorite clothing store. They are offering 95% off all merchandise with free shipping. Rarely, if ever, do companies have that great of a sale. Check the company’s website and other reputable review sites to ensure the sale is legitimate. Unbelievably low prices and exclusive offers only? The ad is likely a scam.
Unusual URLs
Scammers often trick their victims by creating URLs similar to a company’s website. For example, it could be spelled www.amaz0n.com instead of www.amazon.com. If there are subtle misspellings in the URL, you should proceed with caution. Also, be wary of shortened URLs like bit.ly, which obscure the actual destination. URLs with only numbers, or unusual subdomains like “discount.legitimatecompany.scamsite.com” are also potentially dangerous. Want to check if the ad you clicked on is legitimate? Sometimes the URL can provide the answer.
Poor Grammar and Spelling
Another indication that an ad is fake is if the text is riddled with spelling errors and poor grammar. Reputable companies employ copywriters and marketing professionals who are well-versed in the English language. You are unlikely to see the same egregious writing mistakes as someone operating from overseas. Use your high school English skills and notice the poor writing. It could mean the difference between saving and losing your money. Be careful.
High-Pressure Stakes
Advertisements that claim a deal is exclusive or offered for a limited time create a sense of urgency. Unsuspecting social media browsers might be quick to click on something that makes them feel like they will miss out if they don’t act now. If you feel rushed to buy something, pause, and take a step back to ensure the ad is legitimate. More often than not, ads that create a sense of urgency tend to be fake. Call the store to confirm the deal.
Lack of Contact Information
Be wary of any ads that don’t have contact information like a phone number, email address, or website. Scammers often omit contact information so curious customers can’t confirm whether or not the deal they see is real. Always cross-reference an ad you find on social media with the company’s website. If you are still unsure, call them and ask. Buying merchandise on the internet can be risky, so you must be diligent in spotting anything out of the ordinary, like missing contact information.
Generic or Low-Quality Images
Less skillful scammers upload poor-quality images to their fake ads. If you see a picture of the company logo or merchandise, and it’s out of focus or a little fuzzy, you may be looking at a scam. Major companies and retailers usually have tech-savvy employees who use high-quality images for their ads. Everything could look legitimate on an ad—the company name, correct spelling, etc.—but if the photo is out of focus, slow down before you give them your credit card information.
Missing HTTPS
The “https” found at the beginning of most URLs is important. It confirms that the connection between you and the webpage is encrypted. This is especially useful if you are sending information. It assures the user that no third party attempts to steal their information during transit. Luckily, most modern browsers will notify you when a webpage includes only “http,” which is insecure. Be cautious and ensure you are on an authenticated website. Remember that HTTPS does not guarantee the website itself is legitimate, only that the connection is secure.
Overly Positive Reviews
You should not rely on overly positive reviews of a company or product to authenticate a social media ad. Scammers often create fake accounts and leave glowing feedback that seems excessive. You may even notice spelling errors in the review—another red flag. Be aware of overly generic reviews, or reviews repeated often, as these can be signs of bot-generated reviews. Proceed with caution. Don’t give out personal information like addresses or credit card numbers just because “Suzy K from Nebraska” says the product is the cat’s pajamas. It’s likely a scam.
Suspiciously Low Price Point
An ad will catch your eye if they are offering merchandise at an extremely low price. Some ads will even say you can get it for free! If a jacket from Anthropology you fancy is hundreds of dollars and the ad you clicked on says you can get it for free, you may be walking into a scam. Nothing is free, and if you send them your banking information, you’ll likely lose more than the jacket is worth. Don’t fall for ads with ridiculously low prices.
Requests Sensitive Information
Don’t send sensitive information like your physical address, social security number, credit card number, or banking account numbers. If the webpage doesn’t have an “https,” don’t give them anything. Scams will often ask you for unnecessary or additional information that normal companies won’t ask for. Check the company website to ensure the validity of the deal. It is safer if you go straight to the company website instead of an ad on social media.
