Social Media Shopping Scams
That designer item at 80% off on Instagram isn't real
Fraudulent advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms promote products that either never arrive or are completely different from what was advertised. Scammers create convincing storefronts with professional photos, fake reviews, and countdown timers.
What to Watch For
- Prices drastically lower than any legitimate retailer (80-90% off retail)
- Website domain is brand new or slightly misspelled version of a real brand
- Payment accepted only via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
- No physical address, customer service phone number, or return policy
- Fake countdown timers and "only 3 left!" urgency tactics
Examples
""An Instagram ad shows AirPods Pro for $29 (normally $249). The site looks professional with customer reviews and a secure checkout badge. You pay via the link, but nothing ever arrives and the website goes dark a week later.""
Why it works: The deal seems too good to pass up. The site looks real, the reviews look genuine (they're fake), and the urgency ("limited quantity") prevents you from researching the seller.
What to Do
If the price seems too good to be true, it is. Research the website on independent review sites (not reviews on the store's own site). Use a credit card — not a debit card — for better fraud protection. Legitimate retailers never offer discounts of 80% or more on current products.