Lesson 2: Features & Types of Scams

A. Features of social media scams

Identifying fake ads on social media platforms can be crucial for your online safety and privacy.

1. Check the source

Look at the name and profile picture of the social media page or account that posted the ad. Fake ads often come from accounts with generic names, inconsistent branding, or newly created profiles. Look for the "About" section of the ad to see who is behind it. Legitimate ads will have clear information about the company or organisation running the ad.

2. Verify the website

If the ad includes a link to a website, take a close look at the URL. Fake ads often lead to websites that mimic well-known brands but have slight variations in the domain name.

If you’ve clicked on a social media ad and have been taken to a website, check the URL. If it doesn’t begin with https://, that’s a red flag, and they could be running an online shopping scam. “The ‘s’ indicates a higher level of encryption security. Most scam sites are http, because http sites are cheaper.

Example of a URL that should not be clicked: http://River-Island-secure.com

This is the real URL: https://www.riverisland.com/ie

3. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar, misspellings, or awkward phrasing can be a red flag. Many fake ads are created in a rush and contain language errors. There are also reasons why advertisers use spelling errors on purpose – see the slides for more info.

4. Too good to be true

If an ad promises unbelievable deals or benefits that seem too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use this tactic to lure people.

5. Unusual or low-quality images

Fake ads may use low-quality or stolen images. Use a reverse image search to check if the visuals have been used elsewhere on the Internet.

6. Engagement and comments

Check the engagement on the ad. If it has thousands of likes, shares, and comments, but no meaningful interactions, it might be a fake ad artificially boosted.

7. Contact information

Legitimate ads usually provide clear contact information. If an ad lacks a physical address, phone number, or legitimate email, be cautious.

8. Research the company

Search for the company or product outside of the social media platform. If you can't find any information or there are numerous negative reviews, it's a red flag.

9. Check for disclaimers

Legitimate ads often include disclaimers about the product or service being advertised. Be skeptical if there's no clear information about what you're getting.

Read and discuss:

1. Free trial products

­Social media scams can lure people into signing up for free trials on products.

­These scams usually involve the participant signing up for a free trial of a product which is often not genuine.

­Participants are instructed to provide their payment card details upfront.

­The victim then becomes tied into a fixed period contract unbeknownst to them and have provided their payment card details to an unknown individual.

10. Watch out for phishing

Some fake ads may lead to phishing websites that try to steal your personal information. Never enter sensitive data on sites you don't trust.

11. Check the comments and reviews

Real user reviews can provide valuable insights. If the ad has no comments or reviews, or if they all seem very general, be cautious.

12.Trust your instincts

If something feels off or too good to be true, it's best to be careful and not engage with the ad

B. Some types of social media scams

2. Investment scams

Opportunities are advertised on social media sites to invest in products or businesses which are often fake or do not exist. All investment opportunities should be fully researched before you hand over any money, or give any personal details.

Example:

Red flags include: guaranteed high returns, pressure to invest now.

3. SOS or HELP Messages

This scam involves social media account holders receiving messages from people in their “friends” or “contacts” list saying that they are in trouble in a foreign country and need help. This message usually requests that they transfer money to an account in a foreign country. The content of the messages varies but popular ones tell the story that the person has been arrested and needs money for bail or that they have fallen ill and need money for hospital treatment. These scams are also sent by email.

4. Work from Home Opportunities

­Job opportunities are often advertised on social media sites and give the incentive of working from home. These opportunities request payment upfront for training or goods that do not exist.

5. Clickbait

This is a post on social media which is worded in a way to attract the users’ attention and persuade them to click on the link to find out more. Often, these links are to fake websites which look to compromise your personal or security data.

6. Fake Friend Requests

Social media account holders receive friend requests from people that they do not know or from people already in their contacts who have had their accounts hacked. Accepting these requests causes your account and that of your friends to be hacked and the personal data accessed.

7. Online Shopping Fraud

Criminals set up fake online shopping sites in order to obtain the payment card details of victims and steal money from their bank accounts. These sites look genuine and often offer discounts to attract victims. It is only when the victim does not receive their goods that they become suspicious but at this stage their payment card details have been compromised.