LOOK BEFORE YOU CLICK: ONLINE ADS

Online ads offer eye catching visuals and compelling mesages that seem to be about the very thing you’re interested in.  How’s that?  Because your online activity has left digital clues that marketers can piece together to target their ads to YOU.

First, remember that the same critical judgement you would apply offline still hold online: absurdly low prices, wild claims (that’s when you’d go and do your research and S.I.F.T), asking for a lot of personal information upfront, or creating a sense of urgency (this offer won’t last or expires in 30 minute) – any one of these should all give you pause.

Here’s what the FTC wants you to know about avoiding scammy ads: (linked text is to further FTC guidance).

Scammers sometimes impersonate real companies on social media, advertising big discounts on brand-name products. Clicking on a scammy ad can take you to a fake website that’s designed to steal your money or information, like your Social Security or bank account number. If you pay, you might get a cheap fake or nothing at all. If you give your personal information, the scammer might steal your identity.

To avoid responding to scammy ads on social media: (links are to further FTC guidance)

    • Look up the seller before you click. Don’t assume the seller is the company brand named in the ad. Look closely to see if you can tell who the seller really is. Then, search that company’s name online, adding words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.” Check to see what others are saying about the seller before you click on the ad.
    • Compare prices. See what the product is selling for in other places. If the ad offers prices that are much, much lower, it’s probably a scam.
    • Use a credit card. If you buy, paying by credit card gives you the best protections if something goes wrong. If you don’t get what you ordered or never get the product, for example, you may be able to dispute the charge. And never buy anything from online sellers who insist you can only pay with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Only scammers will demand you pay in those ways.