Shopping online? A surprising number of people fall for online shopping scams.
Data from Lloyds Banking Group revealed that over two-thirds of online shopping scams begin on the social media platforms Instagram and Facebook.
This alarming figure shows how savvy fraudsters are using social media to prey on unsuspecting shoppers looking for a deal. There has been a rise in online scammers creating fake business pages, social media ads, and even fake online stores.
To keep you safe, here are some key things to watch for when spotting a purchasing scam on social media.
Is the Deal Too Good To Be True?
If a ‘deal’ you see circulating around social media looks too good to be true, that means it probably is.
A product or service advertised on social media at what seems like an excessively low price can be a sure sign of a potential purchase scam. Always trust your gut and use logic to determine whether a deal is legitimate.
Is the Business Page New?
Fraudsters are getting savvy at replicating a brand’s social media pages or creating an entirely fake retailer, so it’s important to check the page itself.
Does the page seem new, with few posts, low followers/likes, and low engagement? This could indicate that the page is fake and merely attempting to replicate an established business or a new division of a business.
Is the Branding Correct?
Often, when scammers replicate a brand’s page, they can get a little sloppy with branding. Low-quality images and logos, poorly photoshopped designs, or outdated branding are key things to look out for on a brand’s social media page.
Does the URL Look Suspicious?
Hover your cursor over the URL the post or ad is asking you to click through to, but don’t click until you’re sure it’s safe. Do a quick Google search for the brand name and check that the URL matches the official site.
Often, social media purchase scammers create a URL that closely resembles the original, but there are subtle differences that can be easily missed. This can be mispelled words, a period in the middle of a word, or a filler word (a, the, an) added to the name.
Are You Being Asked To Pay via Bank Transfer?
Most purchase scams on social media ask unsuspecting shoppers to pay for items via bank transfer. No legitimate business will ask you to do this; it’s a sure sign of a scam.
Always shop on social media with a retailer that offers secure payment methods, such as credit cards or PayPal, which provide buyer protection.
A secure website URL on social media will always start with ‘https’ and a closed padlock icon, which means it is safe to purchase goods from.
Don’t Be Fooled Just Because It’s a Paid Advertisement
Many shoppers can be tricked into believing a retailer is legit because of paid social media ads. Remember, any business page can create an ad on Facebook and Instagram, so don’t automatically assume that a paid ad is safe to click through and purchase goods from.
Look for Reviews
No reviews are a sure sign that a business page on social media is fake – look at the reviews section on the Facebook page and do a quick Google search for “[brand name] reviews.”
If there are reviews, make sure they directly reference the item you are purchasing. Sometimes sellers hijack existing reviews to make their product seem legit.
Check With the Company Directly
If you are still unsure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Contact the brand directly through their official channels to ensure that a deal you see promoted on social media is legitimate and safe.
Shop Deals That Have Been Promoted From Official Channels
The rise of online purchase scams on social media underscores the importance of shopping only through official channels, such as signing up for your favorite brand’s mailing list to access deals.
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