HONOLULU (KHON2) – Social media has made it easier than ever to reach out to your favorite brands for help — but the local Better Business Bureau is warning that impostors are using the convenience of social media to trick consumers.
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The non-profit says that fake customer service accounts are popping up across platforms, targeting people who just want a refund, a delivery update, or tech support.
Cameron Nakashima from the BBB explains how these scams play out:
- It starts with a fake reply. A user posts about a delivery issue or billing concern with the legitimate business on social media – tagging the business in the post. A scammer account — often nearly identical to the real company — offering to help if you can verify your information. They might also provide a link or message you directly.
- But the request to verify information is a trap. People who reported to BBB about this scam tell us they were asked for all kinds of personal information including account login, phone numbers, emails addresses, and even financial details.
- Once the scammer has the details they need, they take off and it becomes clear that you have given your sensitive information to a scammer.
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Nakashima says there are steps you can take to avoid situations like this:
- Go direct. Always go to a company’s official website or verified account to get customer support. But be mindful that verified accounts are paid, so even if the account is verified, it’s smart to do a little extra digging to be safe.
- To be safe, you can use BBB.org to find the real site and contact information for the business in question.
- If an account on social media asks you to verify your personal information, financial information, or click a link, be extremely cautious. These are all red flags that you’re likely looking at a scam.
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