Hey friend,
If you caught last week’s episode, you heard some solid stories about how we’ve all fallen for an internet scam at some point.
The internet is wild—and Instagram is especially good at dressing up a scam in a pretty filter.
Which is why we want to help protect you from the marketing tactics and scam strategies that target our insecurities and vulnerabilities.
Of course there are times we actually want to spend money online, so let’s make sure we’re getting real deals!
That’s why we love Brad’s Deals—they round up legit, verified discounts from trusted retailers across the web, with zero shady links or gimmicky pressure. They’ve got:
-
The BEST prices from furniture to tech to clothing they help you find the deals.
-
Honest, real person curated savings – no fake “only 3 left!” warnings.
-
A free daily email delivering the best deals straight to your inbox, so you can shop smarter, not impulsively.
Whether you’re hunting for a big-ticket item or a small treat, Brad’s Deals helps you save money without feeling sold to. **
⚠️ 3 Social Media Scams to Watch Out For (Yes, Even on Ads)
1. 👴 The “Sad Old People” Business Scam
You’ve seen the ads: “My grandpa made these slippers by hand!”—but they’re actually straight from AliExpress. These scams tug at your heartstrings and wallet.
🛑 Red flags:
-
Stories about family hardships or liquidation sales
-
Unbranded products at boutique prices
-
Suspicious comments (or turned off altogether)
✅ Instead: Image search that product you’re tempted to buy and make sure it’s not also listed on a fast fashion site.
2. 🏡 Home Services with a Hidden Agenda
That “air duct cleaning” ad or any other home service (even within the local Facebook group you’re a part of) might not be the actual company, but a third party trying to sell your business to someone else.
🛑 Red flags:
-
Generic company names and no local presence (or pretending to be a local company, but in reality are scammers overseas)
-
Pushy messages to “book now”
✅ Instead: Always vet companies through local recommendations or review sites like Yelp or Google, and avoid booking services directly through social media ads.
3. 💸 Facebook Marketplace Madness
Scammers hack real accounts and post tempting listings with stories like “moving my dad to retirement.” They claim lots of demand on the item, ask for a deposit—then disappear with your money.
🛑 Don’t fall for:
-
Be wary of ‘“I’m selling all my family members’ stuff” stories
-
Upfront deposit requests
-
Requests to pay outside the platform
✅ Instead: Only buy from verified profiles, use secure payment methods, and meet in person at safe, public locations—never send deposits to hold an item.
Get More!
Byeee,
Misti
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
