RICHMOND, Va. -- The odds are you have seen videos of people taking the ice bucket challenge on your Facebook feed. But the Better Business Bureau is warning you to be careful what videos you may click on, as some could cause damage to your computer or phone--as part of a scam.
Here's how it works, you click on a link about an ice bucket challenge. Suddenly you are directed to a video site where you may be prompted to update your video player. But when you click "Ok" you are unknowingly becoming victimized by the scammers.
Tom Gallagher with BBB said there are different variations to the scam, with many potentially causing long-term effects.
"I think worst than losing money to them is losing your identity," Gallagher said. "They are going to come back and they can come back and get you years later. They will sit with that and be patient, and then wham-o."
The BBB offers several tips on how to protect yourself and your family:
- Don’t take the bait. Stay away from promotions of “exclusive,” “shocking” or “sensational” footage.
- Hover over a link to see its true destination.
- Don’t trust your friends’ taste online. It might not actually be them “liking” or sharing scam links to photos.
- Report questionable videos, if you think you may have been victimized.
This scam is not limited to Facebook, as the con-artists are also targeting Twitter and other social media sites.
For more information click here.
