It’s getting tiresome trying to use Facebook while being bombarded with numerous “sponsored posts”, many of which are clear obvious scams.
Though I haven’t seen this one myself, I was alerted to the following which is doing the rounds again on Facebook it seems.
The offer is bogus, and is nothing to do with TfWM or National Express Coventry, and even if it was, then it would come from their own social media accounts, rather than from some generic “Coventry public transport smart card”.
The other dead giveaway is the URL, which contains some unrelated domain name “statestmode.com”
There are numerous other similar scams, using other companies names/logos, like the ones using train operator GWR to offer “free UK rail travel for a year”.
How the scam works
Unwitting people are lured in by the offer of free travel for six months, for “just £2”. Remember the old saying, “if it sounds to good to be true, then it isn’t”.
The link leads to some bogus website, usually first of all you’re asked to “answer 3 questions to prove you’re human” (it doesn’t matter what answers you give), then you’re asked to click on some boxes, scratchcard-style, to find your prize (everyone’s a winner!).
This serves to distract attention, the final step is then where you’re asked to ‘make payment’, and you hand over your personal details as well as your card information.
While investigating these frauds, I’ve never progressed past that stage, but look carefully at the page, especially any ‘terms and conditions’ you’re asked to agree to. Because what you’re actually paying for is not a Swift Card, but a ‘subscription’ to some completely unrelated service, which usually increases in price after the first month.
As per the terms and conditions you agreed to, you may cancel your subscription but you’re not entitled to any refund.
The scammers hope that because £2 is such a small amount, most people won’t even notice they’ve been ripped off, or won’t bother notifying their bank or credit card provider.
The social media post just needs to reach a few thousands of gullible users, and they’re quids in.
Unfortunately it’s become a waste of time reporting such posts and ads to Facebook as they never find anything wrong with the content. And as I found recently, the more you ‘engage’ with such posts by leaving comments – even if just to warn others – the more it seems Facebook delivers other similar scams to you!
How to avoid being scammed
Keep your wits about you, and use some common sense!
The vast majority of “sponsored posts” presented to you on Facebook will be some kind of fraud or scam, and don’t forget that Facebook are fine with this because they make money from the advertiser every time someone clicks on a link.
Legitimate offers will only come from that company’s verified social media accounts, with links through to their own official websites.
Remember the mantra “if it seems too good to be true, then it isn’t”.