How to avoid scams on social

2. Avoid damaged or mis-sold goods

Whether it’s from Wish, Etsy or Facebook Marketplace, how can you be sure what you’re buying will arrive as expected? Product descriptions are key – make sure you read them carefully so that you don’t end up with a photo of that PS5 instead of the real thing (true story). And if the shipment is coming from overseas, how can you guarantee it will arrive at all?

“Look for sellers who offer tracked postage or, if the sale is local, take a friend and check it out in person,” says Liz. “You can always say ‘no thanks’ and walk away if it’s not what you expected. Buying online also gives you more rights than in a shop, such as cancelling the goods within 14 days under the ‘cooling off period’. Find out more through Citizens Advice.”

3. For You or Scam You?

Apps like TikTok are brilliant for sellers who can go viral thanks to the mysterious algorithm of the ‘For You’ page. But it’s also a reason why scammers love those #ForYouPage hashtags, as the tips they share might seem like a great hack but could actually leave you with low-quality items and no way to get your money back. According to Which? one in ten people have been scammed by an advert they’ve seen on social media.

“Scammers find victims by listing items at discounted prices to make them seem like a bargain,” says Liz. “If the seller is in the UK and goods don’t arrive, aren’t genuine or not as sold in the description, report them to Action Fraud. This helps to build up a bigger picture of what scams are taking place right now so that no-one else loses out.”

4. Do your research

Your social feeds are probably full of influencers posting about their exotic lifestyles and how your life can look the same. Sure, sometimes they may tag them with #Ad or #Sponsored to show that the post has been paid for, but that doesn’t guarantee that the brand or product they promote is real – especially if the end goal is financial, like an investment or fake shopping links. “Before you open a link from an app, copy it and make sure it looks valid. If you’re after a certain product, look for reviews from other users and across other sites,” says Liz. “Make sure you do your homework before you give any of your private details such as name, address or bank account. And when you’re ready to pay, the address bar should change from HTTP to HTTPS – the ‘S’ stands for secure. If it doesn’t, don’t use it. Finally, never enter your card details on a public wi-fi spot – they’re too easy to hack.”

5. If it sounds too good to be true…

Forget shopping – maybe you think you’ve found a get-rich-quick scheme online. But when you see the words “DM to make money – instant payouts” this can often lead to illegal work as a money mule. These schemes are used by criminals to move stolen money through different bank accounts so it’s harder for the Police to trace – and you end up with a small cut of the cash. These scams are all across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, with over 17,000 cases reported in 2020 alone, and the results aren’t pretty. “Not only can your bank account be closed immediately if suspected of fraud under anti-money laundering laws, but you can also face serious criminal charges,” says Liz. “Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”