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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BBB: Trending social media scam targets animal lovers, kind-hearted donors
HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you've spent time on social media lately, you may have come across ads or videos selling merchandise claiming to support a charity. According to the Better Business Bureau, these video ads, often featuring pleading older adults, adorable animals, and touching music, are part of a growing social media scam targeting animal lovers and kind-hearted donors. Hawaiʻi's 5 most commonly surrendered dog breeds BBB's Cameron Nakashima told KHON2 in reports received by the BBB, they're seeing an increase in deceptive ads involving the use of AI-generated videos. Recently, they published a warning specifically about deceptive advertisements on social media, notably TikTok, that allege to be associated with charities or local impact people are reporting that many of these ads are scams, not actual charities. The reality is that AI-generated videos are getting better by the year – they are convincing and effective. So we don't see them going away anytime soon. Nakashima provides these tips to stay safe: Don't give in to videos that tug at your heartstrings. If you see one of these videos with kittens, puppies, or cows and want to make a purchase to support the cause, resist the urge to do so right away, even if the video relays a sense of urgency. Give locally. Contact your local or state/provincial animal shelters or other agencies directly and ask how you can support them. Only do business with companies you know and trust. If you want to purchase a product or donate, do so through a reputable business or non-profit. If you want to buy something from a company you aren't familiar with, do plenty of research first. Look up the company name, website, and contact information. For businesses, read reviews on and do a general search with the company's name and the word 'scam.' For charities, you can look them up on Check out more news from around Hawaii He said not to skip this step, even if you're excited about the product. It's the best way to protect yourself from fraud. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eye on Scams: Fundraiser scams
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– While community members raise money by collecting donations or selling tickets for fundraisers, scammers will try to go after your donation dollars. Kathryn Mobley, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana (BBBA), said you should beware of scammers when looking to donate to fundraisers for victims of the Mamou mass shooting's funeral and medical expenses. Mobley said, 'Scammers target fundraisers hosted on social media. They search for posts pertaining to good causes and reply to those who comment that they want to support the cause.' Scammers often pose as the event organizer, so the BBBA urges people to click on the profile before donating to make sure it is the real organizer you are communicating with. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Sometimes scammers offer you an alternative way to donate, whether it's a different site or a cheaper price. Mobley said this is a 'red flag.' 'They go around like, 'Oh, you can pay me here or you could donate here and do it via Venmo or do it through an alternative way,' and that's where they get you.' Mobley said. This is why the BBB recommends organizers to use BBBA accredited websites, like GoFundMe, to host fundraisers. 'GoFundMe is going to have processes and policies and regulations for how they manage donations, just like a nonprofit,' Mobley said. 'There's so many regulations there to make sure the money is getting used properly, but if you're using something like Facebook, they're not going to have all that put in place.' Here's how you can avoid fundraiser scams: Research before donating. Make sure the cause is transparent about where the money is going. Give to individuals and organizations you know. It is harder to verify the trustworthiness of individuals, so the safest way to donate is to give to people you know. Beware of emotional appeals and images. Scammers steal real photos to create an emotional response. The easiest way to make sure they are who they claim to be is by clicking their profile and see for yourself. Make sure charity organizations are trustworthy. Check for a charity's BB accreditation at Child hero receives award for saving family from house fire Dozens of conservative leaders back clean stopgap to avert shutdown Eye on Scams: Fundraiser scams Activist: Addressing youth gun violence begins before the trigger is pulled President Trump puts limits on Elon Musk's DOGE power Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
