Scam Ads in Search Results and Social Feeds
Scammers pay for adverts too. How scam ads appear in search results and social media feeds, the most common types, and how to check an advert before you click or buy.
Scams do not only arrive as unwanted messages. Criminals also pay for adverts, the same way legitimate businesses do, so their fake shops, fake investment platforms and fake support numbers appear at the top of search results and in the middle of your social feed. The word "Sponsored" can make them feel more trustworthy, not less.
Common types of scam ads
| Type | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Fake shops | Designer goods, electronics or "closing down sales" at huge discounts. Items never arrive or are counterfeit. |
| Investment ads | Celebrity endorsements, AI trading bots, guaranteed returns. See deepfake endorsement scams. |
| Fake support numbers | Search ads for "[company] customer care". See fake customer care numbers. |
| Lookalike official sites | Ads for visa, passport or government services that charge extra fees or steal data. |
| Fake job ads | Easy remote work with high pay. See task scams. |
| Subscription traps | "Free trial" products that sign you up to expensive repeat charges. |
| Giveaways | Fake brand competitions that ask for a small fee or personal details. |
"Sponsored" means someone paid, not that someone checked. Treat ads with the same caution as any unexpected message.
How to check an ad before clicking
- Look at the advertiser's page: is it new, with few posts and many recent name changes? Are comments turned off, or full of complaints?
- Check the web address the ad leads to. Does it match the brand's real domain? See how to check a link.
- Search the shop or platform name with "scam", "reviews" or "complaints".
- Be wary of extreme discounts, countdown timers and "only 3 left".
- For official services, go to the government website directly rather than clicking an ad.
How to buy safely from an ad
- Pay by credit card or a payment method with buyer protection.
- Avoid bank transfers, crypto or gift cards for online purchases.
- Check the returns policy and contact details before paying.
- Keep screenshots of the ad and the order.
Our online shopping scams guide covers this in depth.
hxxps://brand-outlet-clearance[.]shop- Unrealistic prices and a midnight deadline.
- A web address that is not the brand's official site.
- Fake scarcity: "only 12 pairs left".
If you bought something or signed up
Contact your card issuer or bank to dispute the payment, cancel any subscriptions, report the ad on the platform, and report the scam. See how to report a scam.
Found an ad that looks too good? Paste the link into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check before you buy.
Ads are one of the fastest-growing routes for scams. For more, read the complete guide to online scams.
Frequently asked questions
Aren't ads checked before they appear?
Platforms have review processes, but some scam ads get through, and many are removed only after people report them. An ad appearing on a big platform is not proof it is legitimate.
How can I check a shop I found through an ad?
Search the shop's name with 'scam' or 'reviews', check how long the website has existed, look for real contact details, and pay by card or a protected method.
Should I report scam ads?
Yes. Use the report option on the ad itself. Reports help platforms remove the ad and related accounts.
Sources
- Are ads on social media vetted or checked for scams? Here's what to know, US Federal Trade Commission
- How to spot top scams that started on social media, US Federal Trade Commission
- Online Shopping, US Federal Trade Commission
