AARP Eye Center
Social media scams come in many shapes and sizes. Two fast-moving scams we've seen lately are fake ads on social media sites and promotions for phony genealogy sites. The goal with both is to steal from you, whether it's your hard earned money or your identity.
| How it Works: |
- With online shopping scams, con artists post ads for too-good-to-be-true deals on hot items, like designer eyewear. The ads can show up as a sponsored post in your feed, or as a post by a friend (a sure sign that their account has been hacked). The goal is to get your credit card information and charge you for phony goods that you may never see.
- With genealogy site scams, con artists are trying to trick people with close lookalikes of legitimate genealogy sites, or by offering ancestry research for free. The site directs you to submit your personal information and scammers use that to steal your identity.
| What You Should Know: |
- Low prices for hot items are a red flag. Clicking on the ad leads to imposter social media pages resembling popular brands and companies.
- Be wary of sponsored ads that appear to feature well-known genealogy websites – even if the advertised link looks legitimate. It is very easy to change the name of a link so it appears to be coming from a reputable source.
| What You Should Do: |
- If a suspicious ad appears on your profile, change your password immediately. Also, remove all unused or unfamiliar apps from your account that can automatically post content.
- If you paid for a product through one of these scam sites, alert your bank or credit card company to cancel the transaction. Also, alert the SD Division of Consumer Protections by visiting www.consumer.sd.gov or calling 1-800-300-1986.
- Never follow a Facebook link to a genealogical website. Instead, search for the name of a company, and verify its reputation online before setting up an account.
- Visit www.aarp.org/socialscams to learn more.
When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You can join the Fraud Watch Network and receive alerts about scams happening in South Dakota. Any one of any age can join for free by visiting aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or to receive Fraud Watch Network alerts by phone, call 1-866-542-8172.