Eye on Scams: Social media marketplace scams
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Online purchase fraud is the third most popular scam, with deceptive ads on social media linked to over $1 billion in losses.
Chris Babin, Better Business Bureau of Acadiana CEO, said social media scams give scammers an easy way to reach a lot of people, with little to no vetting in place for those creating advertisements.
"It's easy to go create something that looks legitimate," Babin said. "It's not until you do some research that you realize that this is not a legitimate company, it's not a legitimate website. But social media platforms themselves won't necessarily catch that when the advertisements are created."
Con artists go beyond tricking you into buying non-existing or undelivered products through social media ads. They prey on your emotions with fake charity appeals.
“If they can make us feel as though we're supporting a good cause while we're also purchasing their product, they feel like they'll get more people involved." Babin said. "A lot of times, they have no intention of supporting the charity. The charity may not even exist, but they're just trying to push more of their product.”
Another unsuspecting scam the BBB sees on social media involves ads offering free trials for apps or services.
“Free trial offers a way for people to find out if they like an item before they purchase it, but a lot of times you may be opting in to subscribing to that product and not even realizing it," Babin said.
The BBB is also warning consumers of advertisements promoting counterfeit merchandise, promising designer products but delivering a knock-off.
“They paid a premium price for the best brand, and they say that's not what they received," Babin said.
Here are some tips from the BBB to avoid social media ad scams:
- Do your research. Search for the business' contact information to make sure it works.
- Search for previous complaints. Do a Google search of the business, followed by 'complaints', 'reviews' or 'scams.'
- Use good judgement. Scammers use consumers' desire to help others to con them into supporting fraudulent charities. Research the organization on Give.org before giving.
Latest news
- 40 primates escape South Carolina research center, police say
- 2024 likely to be hottest year on record, first to exceed Paris agreement threshold
- Biden addresses nation after Democrats’ election losses
- Captain rescued off sinking sailboat by Vermilion Parish deputies
- Iota man arrested, charged with underage sex crimes