Meta warns users against shopping scams this holiday season with global campaign

Meta has launched a global campaign to increase awareness of online scams during the holiday shopping season. The initiative aims to provide users with the necessary tools and information to help them safely navigate online platforms and minimise the risk of falling victim to scams.

Meta has introduced safety tools across its platforms, including Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp, and Instagram, designed following research into seasonal scams, with a focus on those prevalent during the holidays. The company is enhancing enforcement actions against phishing domains and plans to work more extensively with industry peers to strengthen online safeguards.

Meta has identified several scams with assistance from open-source researchers at network analysis firm Graphika. These include deceptive holiday coupons targeting users in the US, India, and the UK, where fake coupons and gift cards are used to obtain personal information. Such scams frequently appear on platforms such as Telegram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Don't miss: Google and Meta accused of secretly targeting teens on YouTube

Another scam involves promises of Christmas gift boxes, targeting French, Spanish, and English-speaking users. Scammers exploit platforms such as Threads, X, and Facebook to redirect and collect sensitive information illicitly.

Additionally, scams related to discounted holiday decorations target English, French, Italian, and German-speaking users. Scammers use stolen videos enhanced with AI voiceovers to trick buyers into purchasing items that never arrive.

Meta has updated tools to combat scams, including WhatsApp's context card, providing information for unknown contacts. Instagram now issues alerts about potentially suspicious follower requests, and Facebook Marketplace has added warnings to help identify scam-related messages.

Meta reports dismantling over two million scam-related accounts in regions such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the UAE, and the Philippines this year. In India, Meta and WhatsApp publish transparency reports on actions against platform misuse.

Meta has launched global educational efforts to reinforce online safety, working with public figures and organisations. In India, the "Scams se Bacho" campaign features Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and a musical project with actor Abhay Deol to raise scam awareness. Regional content creators enhance public knowledge about online security.

Further, Meta's awareness campaign in India partners with government bodies—the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting—to tackle scams and cyber fraud.

Related articles:  
'Google is a monopolist,' rules US judge in antitrust case   
Lee Hsien Loong warns video of him promoting investment scam is a deepfake 
Scam cases rise by 50%, most done through FB, IG and Whatsapp