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Watch For Scams Newsletter. Free Ipad
April 09, 2013
Hello

Free Ipad

Watch For Scams is dedicated to helping you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

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Free Ipad

There is a message currently being spammed out to Facebook Walls all over the network, that claims users can get hold of a free iPad by following a link in the post.

According to the message, a particular online store has malfunctioned so that those who order an iPad on the site will have it sent to them free of charge. They claim the site “forgot" to include a payment page.

If you fall for this scam and click the link you will be taken to a fake webpage designed to look like a real Facebook "Events" Page. The page comes complete with Facebook colour scheme and layout and has a selection of clearly fake comments from equally fake users who claim that they have already received their free iPad.

The "malfunctioning store" claim is not mentioned again. Instead, the fake site displays the following message:

To participate in our iPad-3 quality test please Click here.

All participants will receive a free iPad-3 after sign up. Participants will be required to submit a final product review after two weeks of optimal product use.

Participant must be 18 years or older.

However if you click the link you will be taken to yet another third party website where you are told you must complete one or more surveys before being eligible for the free iPad sign up.

However, no matter how many surveys you complete, you will never get access to the elusive "sign-up" page.

The iPad "quality test" mentioned does not exist and you will never receive a free iPad as promised. If you have been tricked into participating in the fake surveys, you may have inadvertently subscribed to expensive SMS "services" charged at several dollars per text, or you may have given your personal and contact details when signing up to suspect online “offers” all in the hope of getting your free iPad or winning another prize.

The scammers who set up these schemes earn a commission through a dubious affiliate marketing system each and every time someone completes an "offer" or "survey".

If you see one of these fake messages, just delete it and do not follow any links that it may contain.

If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam you should promptly report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3's complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration.

Remember - always watch for scams!

Steve

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