Scammers have found social media advertising to be an effective way to get their bogus messages distributed.
The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads. In fact, the 2022 BBB Online Scams Report found online purchase scams were the most common cons reported and the category with the most victims.
Look out for these common scams reported to BBB Scam Tracker:
Products that claim to support charity: As you scroll through your Facebook or Instagram feed, you see an ad from a small business selling adorable jewelry, T- shirts or other merchandise. The best part? Some of the proceeds from the sale will go to a charity that helps rescue animals, foster children or support another worthy cause. You make your purchase, but when your merchandise never gets delivered, the company suddenly is unreachable or replies with an autoresponder. In reality, the product never existed. It was all a ploy to get your money.
Free trial offers: Many of these misleading advertisements tout celebrity endorsements and promise a trial of the hottest new skincare or nutritional supplement for the minimal investment of shipping fees. What consumers report is that once they agree to the terms and conditions of these offers, they realize they have agreed to multiple monthly shipments for products in…
