Phishing Sites Creating Realistic Ads Online, Lafayette Man Says
If phishing texts, instant messages, emails, and direct messages aren't bad enough, scammers are now getting even more creative.
Online scammers are getting so bold that they are now creating fake online advertisements and having them target unsuspecting victims on social media.
One Facebook user shared his experience online.
Casey Courville, a local musician and everyone's favorite Target Jesus, posted a few pics on his Facebook page about some ads that appeared in his feed.
If you notice, the ads are for lawnmowers that usually cost hundreds of dollars that are being advertised for less than $100.
Remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Casey couldn't believe what he was seeing: an ad that was nothing more than a phishing attempt. And that it was allegedly allowed by Facebook was the icing on the scam cake!
Gotta love this. A sponsored ad, that Facebook allowed, is simply a credit card phishing site. The site brings you to this fake Lowe's site with all these seemingly great deals. - Casey Courville via Facebook
Seemingly great deals. Again, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The great deals immediately sent up red flags in Casey's brain.
Here's how the scam works: the scammers put up a fake advertisement that, when you click on it, brings you to a site where you can "buy" the mower (or whatever product they are advertising). Of course, the site that comes up when you click isn't the (insert company name here)'s official website: it's the phishing website.
You put it in your credit card info, and that's it. They have your info, and you won't be getting a product. - Casey Courville via Facebook
It's a fake website. There's no mower sale. No delivery. No return or exchange within 30 days. No $900 mower for only $99. Only an eventual feeling of shame, anger, and regret - they will all be on the way if you put in your credit card information.
So what does a responsible Facebook user do in this situation? Well, WWJD? He'd send an immaculate message to Zuck. (Or he would at least report it through the Facebook Scam Reporting clicky thingy.) Because, surely, Facebook would want to remove these ads that somehow got by them in the first place, right? RIGHT??
I reported it as a scam, and Facebook disagreed. Multiple people in the comments on the ads have fallen for it. So sad to see. - Casey Courville via Facebook
Wrong, I guess. According to Casey, Facebook said it was fine.
Casey goes on to say that, in the comment section of the fake ad, there were comments from victims who actually fell for the ad. Very sad, indeed.
So, what can we do about it? First of all, you need to remain wary and take it slow when you see a good deal on the internet.
You also need to remember that the internet is swimming with bad people who want to take your money.
And take the advice of a few people around this building: never click the link. Open a new window and go directly to that company's website to see if the deal is authentic.
Lastly, if you do get scammed, call your credit card company IMMEDIATELY to try to mitigate the loss of funds.
And, for those of you who stuck around until the end, I really want you to click the "Target Jesus" link to see exactly WWJD. Click it, it's a Youtube video. I promise it's safe.