Instagram Ad Caught Your Eye?

Make sure you’re not buying into a scam. “Social commerce” scammers are alive and well on social media.

What it is: In your social media feed, some ads promoting clothing, makeup, household items, electronics, travel services and other products are presented by scammers posing as real merchants. They may take your order and payment and send nothing, or they might send inferior merchandise that’s nothing like described.

In other cases, social media scammers just pull the same-old tricks: credit card fraud, merchant fraud and account takeovers.

How it works: It’s easy for scammers to create fake accounts impersonating brands you trust, or to create unheard-of brands showing appealing merchandise for cheap prices, tempting you to order. Instant messaging on the platforms also paves an easy path for scammers to connect directly with potential victims.

Different Angles, Same Rip-Off Some variations of current social commerce scams you’ll encounter on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and other platforms:

• Known company bait-and switch: Scammers impersonate established companies that you know and trust, which makes it seem safe to order. (Pro tip: If a seller seems to be a company you know, bypass the offer in your feed. Go straight to the company’s official website and buy the item there.)
• Fly-by-night “fast fashion”: Some fake clothing merchants use photos from well-known fashion companies, presenting the outfits as their own, with astoundingly low prices. When you take the bait and order, they send you cheap copies of the real thing. (Pro tip: Cut and paste the pictures of the clothes you like into a reverse image search engine. You may find the same items being sold from a legitimate company, for a legitimate price.)
• Phony phishers: One of the most dangerous forms of fraud on social media happens when scammers use phishing or straight-up hacking to take over a victim’s social media account, which they then use to gain login access to other websites linked to your social media account. (Pro tip: Safeguard your personal information as if your financial security depends on it. It does.)

Shop safely

There are thousands or legitimate retailers on social media. You can shop safely, just approach every single offer with skepticism. Some tips to help protect yourself:

• “Close-out sales” and huge discounts are red flags. If you see unusually low prices, look further. Visit the seller’s profile on the social media platform and look for reviews from other buyers complaining about the quality of merchandise or not having received what they ordered. (Keep in mind: Some of the reviews may also be fake.)
• Don’t trust a seller that asks you to pay by an unconventional method. Legitimate merchants won’t ask for payment via wire transfer, payment app or gift card.
• Use your credit card to pay whenever possible. If you do get caught in a scam, your credit card issuer will offer some protection and the option to dispute charges if you don’t get what you ordered.