Safeonweb warns of an increase in fake advertisements on social media. Scammers use various tactics to deceive you: familiar faces, brand names or news articles.
They lure you in with unbelievable discounts, spectacular or secret offers via so-called former employees, bankruptcies, overstocks, but in reality these advertisements are spread by con artists.
How to recognise fake advertisements
Too good to be true: Is the product you can win via the advertisement normally worth hundreds of euros, but now you only have to pay a few? Then be on your guard. If it sounds too good to be true, it often is.
Look at the URL: If you have clicked on an advertisement, first take a look at the URL at the top of your screen. If it looks strange and does not resemble the official URL of a brand, do not proceed.
What can you do?
Do not just click on suspicious advertisements. Instead,
Check the official website of the shop to see if there is a special discount offer.
The false advertisements can be reported on the social media platforms where you see them. This helps to remove harmful content more quickly.
Did you click on a suspicious link?
If you have clicked on a suspicious link, do not fill in any more fields and break off any interaction.
Never share personal information.
If you have shared a password that you also use elsewhere, change it immediately.
Have you been ripped off?
From the moment you lose money or are extorted, we recommend you file a police report. You file a report with the local police in your place of residence.
Contact your bank and/or Card Stop on 078 170 170 if you have passed on bank details, money disappears from your bank account or you have transferred money to a scammer. That way, any fraudulent transactions can be blocked.
Protect yourself and others by reading our warnings regularly. Talk to your friends and family about them and share these warnings via social media. Together we can take steps towards a safe digital world.
