There has been a lot of buzz lately about an ad on Facebook claiming to offer huge discounts on Costa coffee products. With tempting offers like 90% off Costa coffee beans and 50% off Costa hot chocolate, it’s easy to see why people might wonder if it’s legitimate or too good to be true.
What is the Costa ad on Facebook?
The Costa ad appearing on Facebook timelines offers discounts like 90% off Costa coffee beans, 50% off Costa hot chocolate, and other amazing deals. The ad features images of Costa coffee products and claims the offers are for a limited time only. When clicked, the ad takes users to a website that looks like an official Costa site but is not actually affiliated with the Costa coffee brand.
Is the Costa ad on Facebook legit?
Unfortunately, the Costa ad on Facebook is not legitimate and should be avoided. Costa has confirmed that the ad is a scam and the website it links to is fake. The incredibly low prices are a red flag, as Costa does not offer 90% off deals even for loyal customers. Additionally, the site it leads to uses Costa’s logo and images illegally.
How can you tell the Costa ad is a scam?
There are a few clear signs indicating the Costa ad on Facebook is a scam:
- The prices are unrealistic – authentic Costa deals do not offer 90% off retail prices
- Costa has not authorized or endorsed the ad
- The website uses Costa’s logo and photos illegally
- Reviews of the site are very poor or non-existent
- Misspellings, grammatical errors and other signs of a sloppy scam site
- Requests personal information like credit card numbers
Who is behind the fake Costa ad?
It’s unclear exactly who created this specific Costa Facebook scam. However, most scams like this originate from third party groups not affiliated with the brand. They create fake ads and deals to try to earn quick money by getting victim’s credit card information or spreading malware.
What happens if you click on the Costa ad?
If you click on the Costa Facebook ad, you will be taken to a fake website that illegitimately uses the Costa name and branding. The site will display unbelievable offers to try to get you to enter your personal information and credit card number. Providing this sensitive data puts you at high risk of identity theft and credit card fraud. Additionally, the site may try to download malware onto your device without your knowledge.
How to report and avoid the fake Costa ad
If you see the fraudulent Costa ad on Facebook, you should report it right away. You can report the ad by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner and selecting “Report ad.” Make sure to also report the fake website to Costa and relevant authorities.
To avoid falling for similar scams in the future:
- Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true
- Verify discounts and deals on the company’s official website
- Look for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes and other signs of a scam
- Avoid entering personal and payment information
- Use secure payments like PayPal when possible
The bottom line on the Costa Facebook ad
The Costa ad circulating Facebook that promotes huge discounts like 90% off coffee beans is a fraudulent scam. The incredibly low prices are unrealistic, and the site is designed to illegally obtain users’ information and money. If you see the Costa ad on Facebook, report it immediately and avoid engaging with the site at all costs.
| Is the Costa ad on Facebook legit? | No |
|---|---|
| What discounts does the ad promote? | 90% off coffee beans, 50% off hot chocolate |
| What happens if you click on the ad? | Takes you to a fake site that steals personal info |
| How can you identify it’s a scam? | Unrealistic deals, fake branding, poor reviews |
| What should you do if you see the ad? | Report it immediately, avoid the site |
Costa Coffee company background
Costa Coffee is a British coffeehouse company founded in London in 1971. It is now owned by The Coca-Cola Company and is one of the largest coffeehouse chains in the world, with over 2,600 coffeehouses in the UK and 1,300 internationally. Costa sells coffee, tea, food and other beverages in its stores and does not offer unauthorized 90% off deals through Facebook ads.
Key facts about Costa Coffee:
- Founded in 1971 in London
- Purchased by The Coca-Cola Company in 2019 for $4.9 billion
- Over 2,600 stores in UK, 1,300 international stores
- Sells coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries and other foods
- Does not authorize fake Facebook ads or deals
- Victim of illegitimate ads and websites stealing branding
How online scams work
Unfortunately, online scams are very common today, especially on social media platforms like Facebook. Here’s an overview of how these scams typically operate:
Creating fake ads and pages
Scammers steal branding and images from real companies to create fake ads and websites that appear legitimate. Things like company logos are copied illegally.
Posting on social media
The fake ads are distributed through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach large audiences. People’s account security settings determine if they’ll see the ads.
Promoting unbelievable deals
To attract attention, the ads promise crazy discounts like 90% off retail prices. This tricks people into thinking they’re real limited-time deals.
Getting personal information and money
If people click on the ads, they are taken to sites asking for personal data like names, emails, and credit card info. The scammers steal this info for fraud.
| Scam Tactic | Description |
|---|---|
| Fake ads and pages | Copy branding without authorization |
| Post on social media | Broad distribution reach |
| Unbelievable deals | 90% off prices to attract people |
| Gather personal info | Steal credit cards, commit fraud |
How to identify and avoid online scams
Here are some top tips for identifying and avoiding online scams:
Watch for red flags
Things like unrealistic prices, grammar errors, and questionable contact info are signs of scams. Research brands mentioned.
Verify third party ads
Do not assume ads on social sites are authorized by the brand. Check company sites for legitimacy.
Avoid entering personal information
Never provide sensitive info to unfamiliar sites. Browse safely.
Use secure payment methods
When making purchases, use processors like PayPal that offer fraud protection and hold funds.
Report suspicious ads and sites
Alert social media sites and brands about potential scams pretending to represent them. Report to BBB and FTC.
| Tactic | Description |
|---|---|
| Watch for red flags | Bad grammar, unrealistic prices |
| Verify third party ads | Check with company if legit |
| Avoid sharing personal info | Don’t give out credit cards, etc. |
| Use secure payments | PayPal has fraud protections |
| Report scams | Notify Facebook, FTC, brands |
How to protect yourself from identity theft and credit card fraud
Getting your personal information stolen in an online scam can lead to identity theft and credit card fraud. Here are some tips to help protect yourself:
Monitor account statements closely
Review credit card and bank statements frequently for any unauthorized activity and report it immediately.
Check your credit report regularly
Pull your credit report a few times a year to catch any accounts opened without your permission.
Use credit monitoring services
Sign up for credit monitoring to be alerted about inquiries, new accounts, and other activity.
Set up transaction alerts
Have your bank notify you about account activity like withdrawals and large purchases via text or email.
Freeze your credit
Freezing your credit prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name with stolen info.
| Protection Tactic | How it Helps |
|---|---|
| Monitor account statements | Catch unauthorized charges |
| Check credit reports | See any new accounts opened |
| Use credit monitoring services | Get alerts on your credit |
| Set up transaction alerts | Notify you of account activity |
| Freeze your credit | Prevent new accounts opened |
What to do if you shared your information
If you entered any sensitive information like credit card numbers into a scam website, take these steps right away:
Contact your credit card company
Report the incident and request a new card number to prevent fraudulent charges.
Place a fraud alert
Placing an initial 90 day fraud alert requires credit bureaus to notify you of activity.
Monitor your credit reports and statements
Check for any signs of misuse of your information over the next few months.
Change account passwords
Change the passwords on any accounts that may have used the same username and password combination.
Consider credit monitoring
Credit monitoring services can alert you of suspicious credit activity.
| Step to Take | Reason |
|---|---|
| Contact credit card company | Get new card number issued |
| Place a fraud alert | Get notified of credit activity |
| Monitor credit reports | Check for misuse of info |
| Change account passwords | Secure accounts from further misuse |
| Consider credit monitoring | Get alerts on credit activity |
Conclusion
The Costa ad circulating Facebook that promotes huge discounts is a scam designed to steal personal information. Avoid engaging with the fake ad or site at all costs, and report it right away to protect yourself and others. Be cautious of unbelievable deals online, and take measures to monitor your credit and accounts if you shared any data. With vigilance, consumers can minimize their risk of fraud from these online scams.