Ever think about clicking on ads for big markdowns or close-out sales in your social media feed? Like a guardian angel, social media seems to know every detail of your life, including what’s on your shopping list, whether it’s the season’s hot toys, electronics or other popular items.
The problem? Scammers are impersonating real companies in ads on Facebook, TikTok and other social media platforms. So, how do you navigate past the fakes without passing up the real bargains?
If you’re in a race to finish your holiday shopping, you might be interested in ads that promise great deals from companies you know and trust but if you order, you’re likely to get a knockoff, poorly made item, or nothing at all, because it wasn’t the company at all. It was a scammer. Here’s how to spot their phony ads:
• Do some research before you buy. Unusually low prices are a sign of a scam. If you see an ad for a familiar company but you’re not sure the ad is real, go to the company’s website using a page you know is official — not the link in the ad.
• Pay by credit card whenever possible. Credit cards offer more protections, and you can dispute charges if what you get is not what you ordered, or you get nothing at all.
• Know only scammers demand you pay with gift cards, wire transfers through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Sending money that way is like sending cash. It’s nearly impossible to get it back if there’s a problem. But reporting the scam as soon as possible increases your chances of getting your money back.
Already paid or gave your information to a scammer? Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov to find out how to report the fraudsters.