{"id":228844,"date":"2026-05-01T05:01:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T12:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=228844"},"modified":"2026-04-30T12:59:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T19:59:32","slug":"social-media-scams-ftc-facebook-ad-impersonation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/security-news\/social-media-scams-ftc-facebook-ad-impersonation\/","title":{"rendered":"Ad Impersonation Scams and Record-Breaking Social Media Fraud Losses: This Week in Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re\u00a0scrolling through Facebook or TikTok and see it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A flash sale from a brand you recognize. A limited-time investment opportunity. A job posting that promises quick money.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The ad has comments. The account looks polished.\u00a0Maybe someone\u00a0you follow even liked it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So\u00a0you click.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From there, things move fast.\u00a0You\u2019re\u00a0pushed to act quickly, enter your information, or send payment before the \u201cdeal\u201d disappears. And just like that, the money is gone or your account is compromised.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0an edge case anymore.\u00a0<\/span>According to new FTC data,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0nearly\u00a0<\/span>30%\u00a0of people who reported losing money to a\u00a0scam\u00a0in 2025 said it started on social media<\/span><\/b>, with total losses hitting\u00a0<\/span>$2.1 billion<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why McAfee+ Advanced includes comprehensive protection designed to help you spot and stop scams at every step, including McAfee\u2019s Scam Detector, which flags suspicious links and messages and explains why they may be risky, along with identity and privacy tools that help protect your information if a scam slips through.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How\u00a0Social Media Ad Scams Work<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

A social media ad\u00a0scam\u00a0is when scammers use paid ads, fake profiles, or hijacked accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to promote fake products, services, or investment opportunities\u00a0in order to\u00a0steal money or personal information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Step<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nWhat happens<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nWhat to do<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nHow McAfee helps<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYou see an ad, post, or DM promoting a deal, job, or investment<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDon\u2019t\u00a0engage\u00a0immediately, even if it looks legitimate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nScam Detector<\/span><\/b>\u00a0flags suspicious links and messages before you interact<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nThe ad links to a website or moves you into DMs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAvoid clicking unfamiliar links or continuing\u00a0off-platform<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSafe Browsing<\/span><\/b>\u00a0helps block risky or newly created websites<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYou\u2019re\u00a0pressured to act quickly or \u201csecure your spot\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSlow down and verify the company independently<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nScam Detector<\/span><\/b>\u00a0explains urgency tactics and why\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0risky<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYou\u2019re\u00a0asked to pay, share login info, or download something<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNever send money or credentials based on a social media interaction<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nIdentity Monitoring<\/span><\/b>\u00a0helps protect your personal data if exposed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nThe product never arrives, the investment disappears, or your account is compromised<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nReport the\u00a0scam\u00a0and secure your accounts\u00a0immediately<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nPersonal Data Cleanup\u00a0<\/span><\/b>and monitoring help reduce ongoing exposure<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Red Flags\u00a0To\u00a0Watch For<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n