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Avoid Getting Hooked by Fraudulent Clickbait Advertisements A significant portion of your day can be spent online, whether working, shopping, paying bills, or using social media. Whatever the reason, never doubt the extremes that online scammers will go to in order to obtain your personal information. Clever fraudsters know how to use alluring tactics to trick you into clicking links that could be detrimental to your computer and bank account. This type of fraud is referred to as clickbait ads. These advertisements are hoaxes that pose as legitimate brands or businesses to deceive you into purchasing counterfeit products, transmitting adware or malware, or entering your personal information in an effort to steal your identity. Fraudsters will often replicate the details, graphics, and content from legitimate advertisements to create believable-looking ads. This includes incorporating the name of a trusted brand or website within a modified URL that causes you to let down your guard and take the "bait." Clickbait scams can be found on any platform, from social media to online news sites. While some clickbait is solely made to create online traffic, others attempt to steal your information and commit financial fraud. Common Clickbait Scams You Should Avoid Low-Priced Products & Services: These scams claim they can sell you premium products and services much cheaper than the market price. Take extreme caution in clicking links on these ads. Typically these ads promote a product that does not exist or is an unlicensed knockoff of a legitimate item. If the product you are purchasing is in high demand but deeply discounted, the ad is likely clickbait. Antivirus, Cleaning, and Software Updates: These fraudulent ads appear as a system notification informing you that your device has a malware infection/virus or requires an update to your software. The fraudulent message will ask you to act immediately by clicking a link to resolve the issue, but it will ultimately install malware on your device. Beware of these scare tactics that entice you to download malicious programs that compromise your personal information. Healing/Miracle Products: Be skeptical of ads using words like "ancient remedy," "natural cure," or "scientific breakthrough." Fraudsters trick you into believing they sell a miracle product to cure a disease or infection. These clickbait ads became especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic and still remain a common scam when browsing the web. Instant Winner Pop-up: This kind of pop-up makes you feel like a winner, but following the link can lead to your computer being hacked or your personal information being exposed. These scams may trick you into believing you have won exciting prizes like a PlayStation 5, the latest iPhone, or a flat-screen TV, but in reality, identity thieves use this tactic to capture your personally identifiable information when you seek to claim the "prize." You can avoid these scams by immediately exiting the website or conducting a forced stop of your browser software. Do not get reeled in by clickbait ads. If you feel your EdFed account may be comprised by fraudulent activity, please contact EdFed's Loss Prevention Team at 305-270-5252 immediately. |
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