The suspicious Facebook ad that is too good to be true… and could leave you without money
- Facebook scammers are tricking users into buying a cheap £3 train card
Scammers have been tempting unsuspecting Facebook users with a too-good-to-be-true £3 train card offer.
Users are offered the chance to get their hands on a Network Railcard for the same price as a morning coffee.
But while the apparent offer seems attractive, which one? has revealed that these ads are designed by scammers to steal financial information from the victims.
As soon as you click on the ad, you will be redirected to a different website and then you will be directed to take a quiz where you will certainly win the travel card, just like any other goal.
Scammers have been luring unsuspecting Facebook users with a too-good-to-be-true £3 train card offer
As soon as you click on the ad, you will be redirected to a different website and then you will be directed to take a quiz where you will certainly win the travel card, just like any other goal.
And before the innocent click leads to your ‘win’, you’ll be faced with various fake customer reviews, in an attempt to get you to part with your £3.
Among the reviews are those that describe the rail card offer as “amazing”.
But the real moment of deception occurred when users are asked to enter their credit or debit card details.
Users will not only lose their £3, but will also have their bank details compromised, exposing them to running out of money to the tune of hundreds of pounds.
Which? Consumer law expert Lisa Webb explained: “Consumers should be on the lookout for fraudulent ads on Facebook falsely claiming that Network Rail is giving away 150 free travel cards.”
He went on to say: “If you click on these ads, you will be taken to a dubious website that asks you to provide your name and location, complete a survey and then enter your bank details to make a payment of £3 to cover the postage of the travel card.
“You won’t get the travel card and you’ll lose £3 out of pocket, but more worryingly, the information you parted with may be used to scam you at a later date.”
Which? They have already reported the ads to Facebook.
But the consumer champion company urges you to take a stand with Facebook, Action Fraud or the police if you end up falling victim to these scam tactics.
To report the scam, click the three dots on the ad and select ‘report’ on Facebook.
Have you seen this scam on Facebook before? Let us know in the comments below.
