We find it abhorrent thieves con honest people with false promises for magic COVID-19 cures. We found stories of tender manipulation in South Africa quite horrific. Now UC San Diego’s School of Medicine (UCSD) has found similar things happening on our favorite media channels. That’s because there has been an uptick in fraudulent social COVID-19 posts.
Uptick in Fraudulent Social COVID-19 Posts
City News Service posting on La Jolla Light confirms researchers found over 2,000 scams on the nation’s favorite social media channels. Apparently, these relate to financial scams, and possibly counterfeit rip-offs according to their editorial team. And they say it is evil how these fraudsters prey on consumers calls for help.
The uptick in fraudulent social COVID-19 posts rides on the back of genuine advice and information from trusted authority sources. Apparently, this makes us more likely to trust what we see on our preferred channel. The 2,000 fraudulent posts mainly relate to fake COVID-19 health products, financial scams and other consumer risks.
Things to Watch Out for on Popular Social Media Channels
San Diego researchers say the COVID-19 deception came in two waves. That’s because the first attack marketed unproven ways to prevent, or cure the disease. While the second onslaught offered fake testing kits. However, a more serious threat is emerging they say. These will be false vaccines sold as genuine, proven solutions.
Timothy Mackey is associate adjunct professor at the UCSD School of Medicine, and lead author of the study. He recommends three strategies to outwit the uptick in fraudulent social COVID-19 posts.
1… Look for unverified claims of official approval and massive sales
2… Be careful of foreign imports without U.S. regulation that may be illegal
3… Question why the retailer is selling over an informal communication channel
The San Diego School of Medicine team recommends taking advice from trusted personal health care providers / local public health agencies instead.
“Our hope is that the results from this study will better inform social media users,” they say. “So they can better decipher between fraudulent and legitimate posts, and use social media as a force for good” as they should be.
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