The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is alerting social media users to an alarming increase in bait-and-switch scams, particularly on platforms like Facebook. These scams typically begin with a post designed to tug at your heartstrings—whether it's about a lost pet, a missing child, or someone in desperate need of help.
The initial post is often shared widely, but once it gains traction, scammers edit it to promote fraudulent sales, job offers, investment opportunities, or solicitations for donations. The goal is to deceive unsuspecting users into handing over money or sensitive personal information.
The BBB has outlined several red flags to help users identify these scams: posts that feel overly urgent, lack contact information, come from newly created profiles, or have comments turned off should all raise suspicion.
They recommend verifying the content with local news outlets or official sources like the police. Additionally, users can perform a reverse image search on Google or TinEye to see if the photo has been used elsewhere—often a sign that the story is fabricated.
Adding to the warning, Sydney Water Regional Director advises, "In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to verify before you share. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it easier to fall victim."
The BBB also suggests being aware of AI-generated images, which can be difficult to distinguish from real ones.
If you find that you've shared a scam post, it's important to delete it from your profile immediately and report it to both the BBB Scam Tracker and the social media platform to prevent further spread.
By staying vigilant and cautious, users can protect themselves and their networks from falling prey to these deceptive schemes.
