Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true

If you see an advertisement on social media for an item or service that is listed at an incredibly low price compared to what you would expect, this is a sign that it may be fake.

Research before clicking on an ad

A simple search on any online browser with the merchant’s name, along with the word "scam" or "complaint", can help you determine whether they are genuine.

Review comments

Reviewing comments prior to your purchase would give some indication about the product or service, as well as an idea about the merchant. Many of the comments may be from fake profiles. However, you may also come across genuine experiences shared by other users, warning others about the scam.

Exercise caution

Refrain from clicking on any unsolicited links sent via social media messages, emails, or texts, as they could be phishing attempts. Do not input your credit / debit card details or OTP (One Time Password) unless you are confident about the authenticity of the merchant.

Be vigilant

Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for signs of identity theft or unauthorised activities resulting from social media scams. Always review transaction confirmation messages sent by your bank.

Escalate

Report any suspected scams or fraudulent accounts to the respective social media platform to enable investigations and potential account removals or bans.