Are ads on social media vetted or checked for scams? Here’s what to know
Scammers place fake ads on social media offering steep discounts on designer goods. The ads look legitimate but lead to fraudulent websites that steal your money and personal information.
How it works
You see an ad in your social media feed offering a designer item at a big discount. The ad looks official because it appears in your feed alongside real ads. You click and are taken to a fake store that collects your payment and shipping information but never sends the item.
Red flags to watch for
- Extremely steep discount (50% off or more) on luxury brand items
- Sense of urgency (limited time only, act now)
- Ad appears in social media feed but website has poor design or odd layout
- Website URL does not match the official brand name
- No customer reviews or reviews that seem fake
What to do
Do not click ads in your social media feed. Instead, go directly to the brand's official website by typing the URL yourself or searching for the store online. Check the website's domain name carefully, look for a privacy policy and clear return policy, and read independent reviews on a third-party site before buying. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If this reached you
Source: FTC . Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.