Fake ads pose as brands and agencies in social, search and shopping feeds, FTC warns

Scammers now pay for ad space, just like real companies, and dress their ads up as well-known businesses or government agencies. The FTC says people are losing significant money and is asking the public how platforms should stop it.

In this brief: 4 sections 2 min read

- Scammers pay to place ads, just as real companies do
- The ads copy the name and look of a known brand or a government agency
- They show up in social feeds, search results and shopping sites
- A click can lead to a fake store, fake support line or fake government service
- A trusted name or logo in a sponsored post or result is not proof it's real
- Check the web address you land on before entering anything
- Be wary of ads offering government services, refunds, benefits or tech support
- Pressure to pay or call right away is a red flag
- Skip the ad: type the company's or agency's address yourself or use its official app
- Don't pay, share personal details or call a number from an ad you can't verify
- Report impersonation ads at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the platform that ran them
- The FTC is weighing an update to its Impersonation Rule, or a new rule, that could require platforms to vet advertisers before ads run, give people a way to report impersonation ads, and investigate and remove scam ads. Public comments go through the Federal Register until November 30.

Read full analysis on consumer.ftc.gov

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