Did you know ads on your social media feed are RARELY vetted or checked for scams?
We have all been there – browsing on social media when an ad grabs our attention: that discounted designer bag, our favorite candle, or some fabulous supplement or skincare product.
The items are so enticing; we cannot help but click on the ad. The ad is right there in our feed, and it looks real, so we trust it’s legit. But it might not be. That’s because social media platforms don’t always thoroughly vet the ads you see or the advertisers behind them. And guess what? If we decide to buy the product, we are about to hand over a lot of our personal and financial information. Then, we may never receive the product.
Criminals know we are very trusting and we are paying the price.
Last year, Floridians reported losing nearly $1.6 billion to overall internet scams and fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, last year, people reported losses of more than $95 million to scams that started when they ordered something after seeing an ad on social media. And since a lot of people fail to report scams, real losses are likely much higher.
How to avoid fake ads
Because ads on social media aren’t always thoroughly vetted by platforms, it’s a good idea to check out the company before you buy based on an ad or post.
Pause and do some investigating.
Exit out of the ad and then do a new search for its name plus “scam,” “complaint,” or “reviews.”
Anyone can pay to place ads in our social media feeds — including scammers from all over the world, impersonating real brands, selling knock-off products, or touting a program to teach you how to invest and beat the stock market.
And they can show you personalized ads based on your online activity like your interests and shopping habits.
3 Ways to Limit Personalized Ads:
- Adjust your privacy settings
- Get an ad blocker
- Use a free opt-out tool
As with any app installation or purchase, please do your research and read the reviews.
If you spot or lose money to a fake ad, reach out to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Learn more about spotting and avoiding scams at www.ftc.gov/scams.
Protect yourself and others. Talk with your loved ones, especially older family members and friends, about this important topic.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office offers more than a dozen free crime prevention programs, discussing best practices for safety in public online, and security in general. To schedule a program for your community, business, organization or house of worship, please call (239) 477-1CRU (1278) or email us at CRU@sheriffleefl.org.