Dog lovers, beware: A 'heartbreaking' Facebook scam is preying on Aussies
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Content warning: This article contains images of injured dogs often used by scammers.
As much as we love the convenience and connectivity of the online world, it's important to acknowledge the risks that come with it. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, are not immune to these dangers.
One particularly insidious tactic that scammers use is exploiting our emotions through fake pleas for help. As animal lovers, we need to be extra vigilant against a new scam specifically targeting dog lovers on the internet.
Reports of the scam first started popping up back in 2018, but it's continued to gain momentum since then.
Here's how it works: a seemingly innocent post appears on a Facebook page, either local or otherwise, depicting a beloved pet injured by a truck.
The post urges readers to 'bump' the post to increase visibility (either by sharing it on their Facebook wall or sending it to other people) to potentially reach the owner of the wounded dog in the photo.
It's a heart-wrenching image that can tug at the heartstrings of even the most stoic among us.
Better Business Bureau, a non-profit organisation, has released a statement pointing out that this 'bait-and-switch' style scam could be designed to get personal information from good samaritans, which could lead to identity theft.
These scams share a common tactic of using emotional or urgent messages to encourage people to share the post with their friends. They're often found on local community groups (or marketplaces) on Facebook, as they take advantage of the sense of solidarity and trust within these groups.
Bait-and-switch scams often work by offering something for a low price or something that looks desirable. But, when the person is interested, the scammer will switch the offer to something different or more expensive.
In this case, the scammer is trying to take advantage of kind people by asking for personal information, like their name, address, phone number, and even financial details, if they want to adopt the ‘injured’ dog.
If you come across a post on Facebook or any other social media platform from someone you don't know, be extra cautious. It could be a trap set to lure you into one of those insidious schemes.
Want to know the secret to spotting a scam on Facebook? Follow these steps to stay one step ahead:
Before sharing a post on your profile, do some quick research.
Carefully read the information and check the profile of the person who created and shared the original post.
When scammers have their profiles banned, they often create new ones. To determine if the profile you're looking at is suspicious, check how long they have been a member of the Facebook group.
You can also find more information on their public profile, such as their friends, posts, and shared content, that can help you identify if the profile is suspicious or not.
If you think they are, it's better to err on the side of caution and not interact or share any personal information.
You can check if a photo is real by searching for it on Google. This is called a reverse image search.
A reverse image search works by showing if the photo was used on other websites or in other places. It can also show if the photo has been 'manipulated' or is being used in a different context.
A reverse image search can also help you find where the photo originally came from. Even though this method isn't perfect, it can help you spot possible scams.
To do a reverse image search on a mobile phone, you can use the following steps:
Another alternative is to use a Reverse Image Search app, which you can find on the App Store or Google Play. You can take a picture or select an image from your phone's gallery, and the app will perform the search for you.
To do a reverse image search on a desktop computer, simply right-click on the photo and choose 'Search Image with Google'.
It's important to note that the results of a reverse image search may vary depending on the quality and resolution of the image you are searching for.
Report the post.
Once you've confirmed that the post is suspicious or fraudulent, it's time to take action and bring the scammers to justice. Here's how you can report it and make sure it doesn't harm anyone else:
Members, we hope you found this article informative and helpful! Remember, as much as we all want to believe in the goodness of others, it's always wise to be a bit cautious and do your research before taking action. Trust your instincts and don't let scammers take advantage of you!
Have you come across any suspicious posts in your local Facebook groups? Share your experience with us in the comments below. And don't forget to check out the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website for more tips on how to spot and avoid scams.
Stay vigilant, stay safe, and let's protect each other from these sneaky scammers!
As much as we love the convenience and connectivity of the online world, it's important to acknowledge the risks that come with it. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, are not immune to these dangers.
One particularly insidious tactic that scammers use is exploiting our emotions through fake pleas for help. As animal lovers, we need to be extra vigilant against a new scam specifically targeting dog lovers on the internet.
Reports of the scam first started popping up back in 2018, but it's continued to gain momentum since then.
Here's how it works: a seemingly innocent post appears on a Facebook page, either local or otherwise, depicting a beloved pet injured by a truck.
The post urges readers to 'bump' the post to increase visibility (either by sharing it on their Facebook wall or sending it to other people) to potentially reach the owner of the wounded dog in the photo.
It's a heart-wrenching image that can tug at the heartstrings of even the most stoic among us.
There has been an increase in the number of scammers using community groups on Facebook to push their schemes. Credit: Facebook.
Better Business Bureau, a non-profit organisation, has released a statement pointing out that this 'bait-and-switch' style scam could be designed to get personal information from good samaritans, which could lead to identity theft.
These scams share a common tactic of using emotional or urgent messages to encourage people to share the post with their friends. They're often found on local community groups (or marketplaces) on Facebook, as they take advantage of the sense of solidarity and trust within these groups.
Bait-and-switch scams often work by offering something for a low price or something that looks desirable. But, when the person is interested, the scammer will switch the offer to something different or more expensive.
In this case, the scammer is trying to take advantage of kind people by asking for personal information, like their name, address, phone number, and even financial details, if they want to adopt the ‘injured’ dog.
If you come across a post on Facebook or any other social media platform from someone you don't know, be extra cautious. It could be a trap set to lure you into one of those insidious schemes.
Before sharing a post on your profile, do some quick research.
Carefully read the information and check the profile of the person who created and shared the original post.
When scammers have their profiles banned, they often create new ones. To determine if the profile you're looking at is suspicious, check how long they have been a member of the Facebook group.
You can also find more information on their public profile, such as their friends, posts, and shared content, that can help you identify if the profile is suspicious or not.
If you think they are, it's better to err on the side of caution and not interact or share any personal information.
Always double-check the person's profile to see if there are any red flags that indicate they might be a potential scammer. Credit: Pexels/Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas.
You can check if a photo is real by searching for it on Google. This is called a reverse image search.
A reverse image search works by showing if the photo was used on other websites or in other places. It can also show if the photo has been 'manipulated' or is being used in a different context.
A reverse image search can also help you find where the photo originally came from. Even though this method isn't perfect, it can help you spot possible scams.
To do a reverse image search on a mobile phone, you can use the following steps:
- Open your mobile internet browser and go to Google Images.
- Click on the camera icon in the search bar.
- Select 'Upload an image' and choose the image you want to search.
- You can also paste the image URL if you found the image online.
- Google will show you where the image is being used and where it has been posted.
Another alternative is to use a Reverse Image Search app, which you can find on the App Store or Google Play. You can take a picture or select an image from your phone's gallery, and the app will perform the search for you.
To do a reverse image search on a desktop computer, simply right-click on the photo and choose 'Search Image with Google'.
It's important to note that the results of a reverse image search may vary depending on the quality and resolution of the image you are searching for.
If you discover anything suspicious about the post, you can report it. Credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio.
Report the post.
Once you've confirmed that the post is suspicious or fraudulent, it's time to take action and bring the scammers to justice. Here's how you can report it and make sure it doesn't harm anyone else:
- Find the post you want to report.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the post.
- Select 'Give feedback or report post'.
- Follow the prompts to explain why you're reporting the post and submit the report.
Members, we hope you found this article informative and helpful! Remember, as much as we all want to believe in the goodness of others, it's always wise to be a bit cautious and do your research before taking action. Trust your instincts and don't let scammers take advantage of you!
Have you come across any suspicious posts in your local Facebook groups? Share your experience with us in the comments below. And don't forget to check out the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website for more tips on how to spot and avoid scams.
Stay vigilant, stay safe, and let's protect each other from these sneaky scammers!
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