As social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have developed, they have, of course, become a fertile ground for advertisers – and for scam artists. If you find something tempting popping up in your social media feed, don’t click and order until you’ve taken a few precautionary steps.
Look for an actual physical address or phone number. Nearly 43% of social media scams involve online shopping. Complaints range from wrong items, items that were not as pictured or items not even arriving head up the list. So, see if you can actually verify the existence of the company that’s trying to sell you something.
See if you can locate the business online through a search engine and not just by clicking on the ad.
Check Google or other online reviews. And don’t rely on a website specifically set up for the retailer.
Search for bad reviews or complaints by Googling the name of the product, plus the words “scam” or “complaint.”
See if you can find the same item or something similar from an online retailer you trust.
Finally, never pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Always use a credit card or online payment service such as PayPal. That way, if you get scammed or you’re not happy with your purchase, you can contact your credit card company and have your payment refunded.
