Gym-goers on high alert as fake fitness deals flood social media.
A new year often brings a wave of desperation to shed those extra pounds or improve overall health. However, scammers are capitalizing on this desire, flooding social media with fake gym membership deals and personal training offers that appear too good to be true.
Those who fall prey to these scams find themselves without membership details, unable to make payments, or worse still, having handed over sensitive bank information only to be left feeling vulnerable.
According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at cybersecurity firm NordVPN, the scammers are experts in mimicking real ads and websites from legitimate businesses. By using AI technologies, they can alter images of people with more muscle mass to lure potential victims into false promises.
Spotting a fake fitness deal is easier said than done. The first red flag often points to an ad on social media promising cheap gym membership or tailored training plans that offer a sense of urgency – limited time only or exclusive spots available.
However, it's not just the wording that should raise suspicions; the website address may differ by just one character from its legitimate counterpart.
If you're considering signing up for any fitness program, exercise extreme caution and treat offers that rely on pressure or urgency with skepticism. Always prioritize independent reviews and ensure there is a clear record of contact details before handing over sensitive information.
For those who think they have fallen victim to such scams, there are steps to take. Immediately report the incident to your bank and then file a complaint with Action Fraud – the UK's central hub for online crime.
A new year often brings a wave of desperation to shed those extra pounds or improve overall health. However, scammers are capitalizing on this desire, flooding social media with fake gym membership deals and personal training offers that appear too good to be true.
Those who fall prey to these scams find themselves without membership details, unable to make payments, or worse still, having handed over sensitive bank information only to be left feeling vulnerable.
According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at cybersecurity firm NordVPN, the scammers are experts in mimicking real ads and websites from legitimate businesses. By using AI technologies, they can alter images of people with more muscle mass to lure potential victims into false promises.
Spotting a fake fitness deal is easier said than done. The first red flag often points to an ad on social media promising cheap gym membership or tailored training plans that offer a sense of urgency – limited time only or exclusive spots available.
However, it's not just the wording that should raise suspicions; the website address may differ by just one character from its legitimate counterpart.
If you're considering signing up for any fitness program, exercise extreme caution and treat offers that rely on pressure or urgency with skepticism. Always prioritize independent reviews and ensure there is a clear record of contact details before handing over sensitive information.
For those who think they have fallen victim to such scams, there are steps to take. Immediately report the incident to your bank and then file a complaint with Action Fraud – the UK's central hub for online crime.
! I know it's hard to resist those 'limited time only' ads but honestly, if it sounds too good 2 b true then it probably is 
. Those scammers are getting clever w/ AI tech & altering real site pics 2 lure u in w/ false promises 
. Always check 4 red flags like weird website urls or super pushy wording & never give out ur sensitive info 
! If u think u've fallen victim, report it ASAP 2 yer bank & Action Fraud, trust me, u don't wanna be stuck w/ a scammer 
Social media can be so misleading these days... I remember when I was younger, buying into those "get fit fast" schemes that promised unrealistic results in no time 
. It's crazy how people still fall for this stuff now too! Those scammers are like sharks, always on the lookout for their next victim 
.
. Do your own research and check if it's legit 
. Don't fall for pressure tactics - take a step back, breathe, and ask yourself if this is really what you need 
.
I mean, come on people! You'd think after all these years of warnings about online scams, some folks would still fall for this stuff 
. These fake fitness deals are like something out of a bad action movie - too good to be true? Yeah right, it's probably just a scam waiting to happen 
.
. I mean, we're living in an age where AI-generated images can create realistic fake ads and websites that look almost identical to the real thing 
. It's like something straight out of a sci-fi movie 
.
just because it looks good online. Take a step back and do your research 
. Check the website address (if it's different by even one character, trust me, it's fake 
). And always, always prioritize independent reviews over social media posts that are trying to rush you into something 
.
. Those poor folks need to take action ASAP and report the incident to their bank and Action Fraud, stat! 
It's just not worth it to risk getting ripped off 
. We need to stay vigilant and look out for each other online 
.
. trust me, you don't want to end up handing over your bank info to some shady character 
.
. And if you think you've fallen victim to one of these scams... report it ASAP! 
. Websites should really do better 2 verify their own ads & prevent scammers from hijacking them 
. Always keep an eye out 4 those red flags - weird website URLs or pressure tactics to sign up ASAP 
. Don't be a victim, stay vigilant! 
... fake gym deals are so common now. They're like, "Limited time only" or "exclusive spots available"... sounds too good to be true, right? 
fake fitness deals r everywhere & most of them r scams!!! they sound too good 2 b true but trust me, if it seems like a deal 2 b a steal, it probably is 