See more about counterfeit product scams. If you purchase any of these products you may run the risk of not only receiving a poor quality product, but it may not meet environmental and safety regulations either. Watch out for pre-checked boxes and make sure that you know who and where the company is that you are purchasing from.Ĭounterfeit merchandise: Name brand goods are prime targets for unauthorized duplication, from sporting goods to designer apparel and handbags. See our study on free trial offers.īefore you sign up for these “limited time offers” research the company online, see if there are any other consumer complaints, read the terms and conditions you are agreeing to carefully, and if you can’t find any terms and conditions, that is a red flag. What consumers report is that once they agree to the terms and conditions of these offers, they realize they have agreed to multiple monthly shipments for products in excess of $70-$100 each. See more on charity scams.įree trial offers: Many of these misleading advertisements tout celebrity endorsements and promise a trial of the hottest new skincare or nutritional supplement for the minimal investment of shipping fees.

When you contact the company about your purchase, they are suddenly unreachable or reply with an autoresponder. But when your merchandise never gets delivered, the doubts start to build. Some consumers even report getting direct messages from sellers promoting the products and asking them to spread the word to friends and family. The best part? Some of the proceeds from the sale will go to a charity that helps rescue animals, foster children, or support another worthy cause. Products That claim to support charity: As you scroll through your Facebook or Instagram feed, you see an ad from a small business selling adorable jewelry, t-shirts, or other merchandise. Look out for these common scams reported to BBB Scam Tracker: BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads. In fact, the 2022 BBB Online Scams Report found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Social media advertising is an effective way for small business to get the word out about their products.

Cringe by Sarah Brown