It’s a growing angle for scammers that isn’t just limited to the holidays. Fake coupons on social media can be seen any time of the year, and unsuspecting people fall for these scams daily. They often then become victims of the scammers, who use the scheme to spread malware, according to the Better Business Bureau. The scam works because the coupons look real and they offer great deals. By using brands’ official logos, it’s nearly impossible to tell if it’s fake or not. But BBB investigator Don O’Brien says if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. “It should put up a red flag – like, is this really real?” O’Brien said. “The first thing you should do is just reach out to that company. Say, you found this (coupon) on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or whatever, can you tell me if it’s valid or not?” When you click on the link to get the deal or discount, there’s a chance you could be exposing yourself to identity theft or malware on your computer. When you shared that link, you exposed your friends and family too. If you encounter a social media coupon scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker.
