Meta Ads Ltd Scam: How to Avoid Falling for Fake Ads on Facebook
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with billions of users and millions of advertisers. However, not all ads on Meta are legitimate. Some are part of a sophisticated scam that targets unsuspecting users with fake endorsements from celebrities, fake news articles, and fake investment schemes.
In this blog post, we will expose the Meta Ads Ltd scam, how it works, how to spot it, and how to protect yourself from it. We will also provide a final verdict, a table of pros and cons, a summary, and some frequently asked questions and answers.
What is the Meta Ads Ltd Scam?
The Meta Ads Ltd scam is a type of online fraud that uses hacked verified pages on Meta to impersonate the company and lure users with ads that contain links to malware-infected sites. The scammers rename the verified pages to names like “Meta Ads”, “Google AI”, or “Bard” and use them to run sponsored ads that appear on users’ news feeds.
The ads claim that Meta has launched a new tool for managing ads more professionally and securely, or that Google has released a new AI platform called Bard. The ads feature images and quotes from prominent public figures, such as businessmen, TV presenters, or politicians, who supposedly endorse the products or services. However, these public figures have never approved or endorsed the ads, and the products or services are fake.
The ads contain links that take users to a fake media article that looks like a reputable news source, such as CNN, BBC, or Forbes. The article repeats the same claims and endorsements as the ads, and invites users to sign up for the tool or the platform. Users who sign up are then contacted by scammers who use high-pressure tactics, such as repeated phone calls, to convince them to deposit funds into the fake scheme. The scammers promise high returns on investment, but in reality, they just steal the users’ money and personal information.
The Meta Ads Ltd scam is similar to other cryptocurrency or money-making scams that have been circulating on Meta and other platforms for years. These scams use fake celebrity endorsements, fake news articles, and fake websites to trick users into investing in fraudulent schemes. Some of the public figures whose names and images have been used in these scams include Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, and Mark Zuckerberg.
How to Spot the Meta Ads Ltd Scam?
The Meta Ads Ltd scam can be hard to spot, especially for users who are not familiar with Meta’s policies and features. However, there are some signs that can help you identify and avoid the scam. Here are some tips to spot the Meta Ads Ltd scam:
- Check the page name and URL. The scammers use hacked verified pages that have a blue checkmark next to their name, which can make them look trustworthy. However, the page name and URL may not match the content or the purpose of the page. For example, a page that claims to be Meta Ads may have a URL that contains the name of a different entity, such as a singer or an actress. If you see a mismatch between the page name and URL, be suspicious.
- Check the page history and activity. The scammers may change the name and the profile picture of the hacked page, but they cannot erase the page history and activity. You can check the page history and activity by clicking on the “Page Transparency” section on the right side of the page. There, you can see when the page was created, when the name was changed, and what kind of ads the page has run. If you see sudden or drastic changes in the page name, profile picture, or ads, be wary.
- Check the ad content and link. The scammers use catchy headlines, images, and quotes to attract users’ attention and curiosity. However, the ad content and link may contain spelling or grammatical errors, or use vague or exaggerated language. For example, the ad may say something like “Meta has just launched a more professional and secure tool for managing your ads. Click here to download it now and get 50% off.” The link may also look suspicious, such as a shortened URL or a URL that does not match the domain of the supposed news source. If you see any red flags in the ad content or link, do not click on it.
- Check the source and the date of the news article. The scammers use fake news articles that mimic the layout and design of reputable news sources, such as CNN, BBC, or Forbes. However, the source and the date of the news article may not be authentic or accurate. For example, the news article may have a URL that does not belong to the actual news source, or a date that is outdated or inconsistent with the current events. The news article may also contain the same spelling or grammatical errors, or vague or exaggerated language as the ad. If you see any discrepancies or inaccuracies in the source or the date of the news article, do not trust it.
- Check the testimonials and the reviews. The scammers use fake testimonials and reviews from public figures or other users who supposedly endorse or benefit from the tool or the platform. However, the testimonials and the reviews may not be genuine or verifiable. For example, the public figures may have never heard of or used the tool or the platform, or the other users may not exist or have fake profiles. The testimonials and the reviews may also sound too good to be true, or use similar or identical wording. If you see any signs of fake or manipulated testimonials or reviews, do not believe them.
How to Protect Yourself from the Meta Ads Ltd Scam?
The Meta Ads Ltd scam can be dangerous and costly, as it can expose you to malware, identity theft, and financial loss. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself from the scam and report it if you encounter it. Here are some steps to protect yourself from the Meta Ads Ltd scam:
- Do not click on any links or download any files from unknown or suspicious sources. The links or files may contain malware that can infect your device and compromise your security. If you accidentally click on a link or download a file, scan your device with a reputable antivirus software and change your passwords immediately.
- Do not share any personal or financial information with anyone you do not know or trust. The scammers may ask you for your name, email, phone number, bank account, credit card, or other sensitive information. They may also ask you to verify your identity or payment by sending a code or a photo of your ID or card. Do not provide any information or verification, as the scammers may use it to steal your identity or money.
- Do not invest in any scheme that promises high returns with low risk or no effort. The scammers may claim that the tool or the platform can help you manage your ads more efficiently and effectively, or that the cryptocurrency or money-making scheme can generate huge profits in a short time. However, these claims are unrealistic and unsupported by any evidence or guarantee. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Do your own research before making any decision. The scammers may pressure you to act quickly or miss out on a limited-time offer. However, you should not rush or feel obligated to sign up for anything without doing your own research. You can check the credibility and reputation of the page, the product, the service, or the scheme by searching online, reading reviews, or consulting experts. You can also contact the public figures or the news sources that are featured in the ads or the articles to verify their authenticity and endorsement.
- Report the scam to Meta and the authorities. If you encounter or fall victim to the Meta Ads Ltd scam, you should report it to Meta and the authorities as soon as possible. You can report the scam to Meta by clicking on the three dots on the top right corner of the ad or the page, and selecting “Report ad” or “Report page”. You can also report the scam to the authorities by contacting your local police, consumer protection agency, or cybercrime unit. By reporting the scam, you can help Meta and the authorities to take action against the scammers and prevent them from harming more users.
Final Verdict
The Meta Ads Ltd scam is a type of online fraud that uses hacked verified pages on Meta to impersonate the company and lure users with ads that contain links to malware-infected sites. The scammers use fake endorsements from celebrities, fake news articles, and fake investment schemes to trick users into signing up and depositing funds into the fake scheme. The scammers then steal the users’ money and personal information.
The Meta Ads Ltd scam can be hard to spot, but there are some signs that can help you identify and avoid it. You should check the page name and URL, the page history and activity, the ad content and link, the source and the date of the news article, and the testimonials and the reviews. You should also protect yourself from the scam by not clicking on any links or downloading any files from unknown or suspicious sources, not sharing any personal or financial information with anyone you do not know or trust, not investing in any scheme that promises high returns with low risk or no effort, doing your own research before making any decision, and reporting the scam to Meta and the authorities.
The Meta Ads Ltd scam is a serious and widespread problem that affects many users and advertisers on Meta. Meta says that it uses technology to detect and block scam ads and works to get ahead of scammers’ attempts to evade its detection systems. However, the scam ads still manage to get approved and displayed on users’ news feeds. Therefore, users and advertisers should be vigilant and cautious when using Meta and its services, and educate themselves and others about the Meta Ads Ltd scam and how to prevent it.