As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris approaches, the global spotlight will be on the city’s iconic landmarks and majestic competition. There may be a threat of fraud lurking.
BBB Central Ohio warns that scammers are adept at exploiting major events, trends and headlines to their advantage.
The Summer Olympics are no exception, one of the most anticipated and watched events of the year. In previous games, fraudsters targeted consumers with fake job offers, fake links to events, and advertisements for fake merchandise.
“Scammers are always quick to capitalize on current trends. Advertisements on social media, especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, may appear legitimate but are often deceptive, offering products that don’t actually exist,” explains Judy Dollison, president of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, in an interview with scamnews.info.
“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid suspiciously low-priced items. However, if you decide to buy, use a credit card.”
“This way, if the product doesn’t arrive or isn’t as described, you can dispute the charge and potentially get your money back,” suggests Dollison.
Additionally, he also warned against using unverified streaming services to watch the Olympics and to stay alert to potential scams to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
“During the pandemic, we saw many fake streaming sites that not only failed to deliver promised content but also collected personal data and installed malware. Always make sure the source is legitimate to avoid compromising your information and devices. If you encounter fraudulent activities, please stay calm and promptly report them to local authorities or contact us to get good advice to handle the issue,” Dollison said.