LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– Scammers are breaking into the business of social media content creation.

Kathryn Mobley, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana, explained scammers are posing as real brands offering collaborations to social media users. They offer money in exchange for the user to post photos or videos promoting their product or brand.

“It could be an email. It could be an ad. It could be a message,” Mobley said. “But it’s offering you money, maybe about something you care about.”

The idea doesn’t appear to be a red flag in the age of social media influencing, where deals like this are legitimate.

However, it’s not legitimate if they ask you for money or personal information in the collaboration request.

“If they are asking you for money or for a way to pay to get involved, then that’s where I would pause,” Mobley said. “That’s definitely, definitely a scam.”

They may request payment for shipping or for the product they want you to promote. They may even request personal banking information, claiming it’s to pay you, or your address, claiming it’s to send you the product.

Mobley said other versions of this scam include links meant to infect your device and steal your personal information.

The BBB warns younger social media users to be alert when responding to messages.

“Check the website is legit. Check the email is legit,” Mobley said. “It may really look cool, but before you do anything, go check it.”

Here’s how to avoid this scam:

• Verify the contact information. Look at who sent the message, then check the official website to make sure that contact information is listed anywhere. If it’s not, that’s a red flag.
• Be aware of red flags, such as requests for payment or your personal information.
• Contact the company yourself. Send them screenshots of the message to ask if it is legitimate.

Report scams to the BBB.

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