A sad testament to the gullibility of Americans: "Like Farming" Facebook scams

[Tommy_Carcetti]

You know, typically they're either promising free Disney World vacations with thousands in spending cash, or free airline tickets anywhere in the world.

And all you have to do is "Like" and "Share" the "official" page of Disney World or Southwest Airlines or whatever, which actually isn't the official page at all. It's a dummy page perpetuated just for the scam.

Whenever I see one of these pop up on Facebook (typically because someone on my list has inevitably fallen victim to it, I can't help but find it very sad the thousands of people who post comments thinking this is actually a legit contest and they actually have a chance at winning.

I've seen supposedly smart, college educated people fall hook, line and sinker for this scheme without a second thought in the world.

It's pathetic and sad.

[genxlib]

1. I don't find the need myself.

After all, I won't need such handouts when my Nigerian Prince finally delivers the cash he promised me.

Sadly, it is not the dumbest thing on Facebook.

[sharp_stick]

2. I've seen a lot of "stock" vehicle giveaways

that people fall for. Usually they'll show some pictures of a loaded RV and say that because it was used in an advertising campaign and is "stock" they are unable to sell it so they instead decided to give it away to people that like and comment on the page.

[Shandris]

3. As I've never hated myself enough to get Facebook...

...what is the point? Do the likes earn them something?

I mean, what's the scam?

[LanternWaste]

4. Self-validating statements

"As I've never hated myself enough to get Facebook..."

Self-validating, trendier-than-thou statements lacking any evidence to support them, however...

[Shandris]

5. I'm sorry you're so upset I don't have Facebook.

However, I couldn't care less about anyone 'validating' me. It's an explanation as to why I don't know what in the actual hell the scam could be like someone who has Facebook does, which any vaguely-aware reading of the post would suggest.

It's weird how nitpicky and quick to criticize this place has become.

[KatyMan]

6. You may have meant otherwise,

But your post has the feel of one of those "I haven't had a TV for 20 years" posts. OK, great you don't like tv, but don't judge people who do. Same with your post--You don't get or want Facebook, great, stay away from it. For a lot of people it's a way to stay in touch on a semi-regular basis with friends or relatives that live far away. My personal FB page mainly consists of posts from bands and various guitar related sites. I also see a lot of nice leftist things, various posts by my daughters about their lives, and posts/updates from overseas friends. Facebook is really what you make it.
But don't judge people based on the fact they use FB; it's just an online tool. Some people take it too seriously, some don't, some are suckers and will fall for anything anyway, most aren't. I can't think of a single person I know that considers FB to be 'validation'.

[Shandris]

8. I haven't judged a soul.

I used my own personal frame of reference on the platform to reach a decision, and I referred to my thoughts in a post. That's not judging; interestingly, though, I AM being judged for making the statement, which is an amusing metanarrative.

[Victor_c3]

7. I don't have a Facebook account either

It seems like too much work to me. I don't understand the whole following and liking things. Maybe I'm just a crotchety old man (I'm 37), but I don't understand the point of it and the whole Facebook thing seems like a scam to mine data for advertisers and whatnot.

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[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. Either for spam use or, worse, for identity theft.

http://time.com/money/4680180/a-dangerous-scam-is-lurking-on-facebook-heres-how-to-avoid-it/

Here's how it works. Scammers pair fake, emotionally charged stories with stolen photos in an attempt to engage a massive number of users. Then, they collect information from users who interact with the post or page. In some cases, the perpetrators will spam users directly, or sell their name, age, and other contact information to other scammers. Sometimes, they'll scrub a page of its original content and replace it with something else, like products they're paid to promote. Or, they'll use the "new" page to spread malware or phishing scams—tactics that can result in stolen credit card numbers, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Personally, I'm just fascinated and saddened that so many people fall for such a stupid scam that could be easily debunked by mere common sense.

Do you really think Apple will give away a free Ipad to a random Facebook user who likes a page that is supposedly theirs? Or Disney would just give away a free vacation and spending money?

A quick fact check will find that the page the person is supposed to "like" is not the official product page.

Yet thousands upon thousands "like" without a second thought. And worse, their like is displayed for the entire Facebook world to see.

I think this speaks not only towards the scam itself, but to how so many people took fraudulent news stories for granted in the run up to the election without bothering to fact check. Or how people take whatever Donald Trump says for granted without bothering to fact check.

It's a sad sign of the times.

[Shandris]

10. I can see the 'replace with a product', that's actually very crafty.

It's too bad people aren't using their craftiness to do good.

Thank you for explaining that, as I still didn't have a clue how it (they) worked or what the goal was. And I had no idea that 'Likes' were so insidious (although c'mon, it's Mark friggin' Zuckerberg, of COURSE it was untrustworthy!).

If you thought 'metric companies' were a problem last time around, wait until Zuck himself has every piece of info you've ever clicked on to help route which 'version' of 'brand' 'news' you find 'most engaging'. Yah, the simulacrum has pretty much fully preceded the original.