BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – As people begin their holiday shopping, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about social media ad scams.
The BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads, officials said. In 2023, online purchase scams were the third most riskiest scam type.
There are a variety of common scams surrounding social media ads, such as free trial offers that end up costing hundreds, counterfeit merchandise and apps that charge tricky fees.
Consumers have told the BBB that after they sign up for a free trial for the hottest new skincare or nutritional supplement for a minimal investment of shipping fees, they end up agreeing to terms and conditions that result in $70-100 monthly shipments. Experts suggest researching before signing up for these “limited time offers,” seeing if there are any other consumer complaints, and read the terms and conditions you agree to carefully.
Many consumers have received counterfeit merchandise attempting to purchase name-brand goods from social media ads, the BBB says. From sporting goods to designer apparel and handbags, you risk receiving a poor quality product if it’s not directly from the company.
While scrolling through your news feed, you may feel compelled to download the latest “free” app to your account or your phone. But, by downloading the app, not only are you opening up your device to these unknown entities, but you could be signing up for recurring subscription fees, as well, the BBB says. Some consumers reported being charged fees as high as $99 every seven days.
The BBB suggests learning how to identify a fake website and doing extensive research to combat these scams. Before buying, do a quick online search, and Google the website name with the words “complaints,” “reviews,” and “scam” to see what other customers are saying. Also, check the “About Us” or “Contact Us” information for the company to see if there are actual contact details available. If the only way to contact them is through a form, that’s a red flag, the BBB says.
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