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Fake Facebook voucher offer scam | Fake Facebook voucher offer scam |
(40 minutes later) | |
By Chris Page BBC NI reporter | |
If you see a post on a friend's Facebook page offering you a £175 Tesco voucher, and think it's too good to be true - it is. | If you see a post on a friend's Facebook page offering you a £175 Tesco voucher, and think it's too good to be true - it is. |
You are invited to share the offer on your Facebook page, and post the comment 'Thanks Tesco'. | You are invited to share the offer on your Facebook page, and post the comment 'Thanks Tesco'. |
The page that pops up when you click to claim the fake offer contains Tesco's logo, branding and company slogan. | The page that pops up when you click to claim the fake offer contains Tesco's logo, branding and company slogan. |
But after posting to your own Facebook page, you are automatically redirected to another website. | But after posting to your own Facebook page, you are automatically redirected to another website. |
Warned off | Warned off |
If you have anti-virus software, this is where you may be warned off. | If you have anti-virus software, this is where you may be warned off. |
But dozens of people have fallen for the sophisticated scam. | But dozens of people have fallen for the sophisticated scam. |
Dr Kevin Curran, who is a computing expert at the University of Ulster, says that scams that operate through social networking sites are on the rise. | Dr Kevin Curran, who is a computing expert at the University of Ulster, says that scams that operate through social networking sites are on the rise. |
This is because email filters are so good now that scammers don't often have success in that field. | This is because email filters are so good now that scammers don't often have success in that field. |
So they're trying to use social media to reach people. | So they're trying to use social media to reach people. |
Dr Curran says: "Scammers can make money from the third party online surveys, where they get people to go to these pages and get money for each survey completed. | Dr Curran says: "Scammers can make money from the third party online surveys, where they get people to go to these pages and get money for each survey completed. |
"They can also drive people to websites where they display their own ads. | "They can also drive people to websites where they display their own ads. |
"Or they can try to direct you to a website where you download software that can do worse things to your computer - and then they can get your personal details." | "Or they can try to direct you to a website where you download software that can do worse things to your computer - and then they can get your personal details." |
But the social networking sites are working hard to detect scammers. | But the social networking sites are working hard to detect scammers. |
Wary | Wary |
Tesco say they're working with Facebook and other web firms to remove scams like this from the internet. | Tesco say they're working with Facebook and other web firms to remove scams like this from the internet. |
They say protecting customers is their "number one priority", and they alert people to scams that illegally use the company's name as soon as possible. | They say protecting customers is their "number one priority", and they alert people to scams that illegally use the company's name as soon as possible. |
They've been issuing warnings on their website and official Facebook page. | They've been issuing warnings on their website and official Facebook page. |
The Trading Standards Service in Northern Ireland say they have not received any complaints or inquiries about this particular scam. | The Trading Standards Service in Northern Ireland say they have not received any complaints or inquiries about this particular scam. |
But they're advising people to be wary of any offer from a major retailer which has not been sent directly from that retailer - because genuine supermarket vouchers are normally sent by post or given out in stores. | But they're advising people to be wary of any offer from a major retailer which has not been sent directly from that retailer - because genuine supermarket vouchers are normally sent by post or given out in stores. |
And IT experts are reminding people to make sure their anti-virus software is kept up-to-date.. | And IT experts are reminding people to make sure their anti-virus software is kept up-to-date.. |
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