Social media users should be on alert for COVID-19 scams.

That’s the word from the Better Business Bureau, which is warning of Facebook and
Instagram accounts with fake promises of relief money.

“The Better Business Bureau has seen an increase in what we call ‘lookalike’ emails or
Instagram messages,” said Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and
Northern Illinois. “You think it's your friend when actually it's not.”

Bernas says these offers can be very tough to sniff out, as the scammer will steal photos
and personal information to make it appear that a trusted source on Facebook or
Instagram is giving you the information.

“Basically the message looks like it's coming from a friend or a community member or
other person you know,” Bernas said. “It’s basically telling you that you have a grant for
COVID-19 relief and your friend may claim to have already applied and received
thousands of dollars already, so this is a no-brainer for you.”

The agency reports the message might follow a friend request from someone you already
are friends with on the platform.

According to the BBB, scammers often will ask for money upfront to process the
COVID grants, which should be a big warning sign.

“We say the ‘tip-off to the rip off’ is that you don't need to spend money to get money
from the government,” Bernas said. “Nobody has secret inside information. If
somebody's [telling] you there's this great COVID relief money, or they know how to
find it faster or can get you more … the Better Business Bureau suggests you do not click
on those links.”

While phone scams still are prevalent, the BBB is reporting more and more activity
happening online.

“The scammer always goes where the money's at, and they're seeing that there are a lot of
consumers on their social media sites and therefore they want to go where the people are
at and try to take advantage of it,” Bernas said.

If you think you’re being scammed, Bernas says you should report the suspicious
accounts and messages to Facebook and Instagram. He also encourages a report to be
filed on the agency’s website.

“The only way to put scams out of business is not to give me your business,” Bernas said.
“The Better Business Bureau suggests before you buy or hire or use somebody’s services
or click on an email to check with the Better Business Bureau first. Also, check our scam tracker to prevent this from happening to you or falling victim to these types of scams.”

Information is available at BBB.org.