Look Out for This New Scam!

What is This New Scam?

Scammers are now targeting people on social media with fake ads offering major discounts from phony companies. These ads often look real because scammers impersonate legitimate brands. So how can you tell what’s fake?

Why Scammers Want Your Information

Scammers can target you almost anywhere, which is why it's essential to be careful where you click. If you click on their fake link, you could inadvertently give them access to sensitive information, like your Social Security number, bank account details, or login credentials.

They can use your first and last name to send personalized scams, making them more believable. If you try to log in to their fake site, they can steal your username and password. That’s all the information they need to cause severe damage.

How to Spot a Fake Ad

Take a closer look before you click. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Look up the seller.

• Don’t assume the seller is legit. Search the company’s name online, adding words like “scam,” “review,” or “legitimate” to see what comes up.

Compare prices.

• If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Check other sites to see if the price is any different.

Use a credit card.

• Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards. If something goes wrong, you’re more likely to get your money back.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

If you paid with a debit or credit card, contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Report the fraudulent charge and ask them to reverse it.

If a scammer has taken money directly from your bank account, contact your bank immediately and report the transaction as unauthorized. Ask them to reverse the transaction and refund your money.

If you gave away your login credentials, be sure to change your password on that site and anywhere else that uses the same login information immediately.

If you shared your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov to learn the steps to take.  

If you’ve been scammed or you think you have spotted a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Information provided by The Federal Trade Commission.