Like most things, for the infinite amount of opportunities the ever-expanding digital landscape brings us, it also brings the occasional downside.
One such pitfall is the proliferation of the scammer. It’s no longer just a telemarketer whose greatest offense is attempting to enroll you in a pyramid scheme during dinner time; the information superhighway has made it easier now more than ever for scam artists to try and pull one over on not just you as an individua,l but also you as a business owner.
What to look out for
Scams mainly target small and midsize businesses that simply don’t have the staff to ward off phishy offers. They promise fast growth or (huge red flag) guaranteed results, often at unrealistically cheap prices. It’s the classic “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
You might think you’d be immune to such schemes, but the rise of Artificial Intelligence has made it even harder to spot a grift in the wild.
Falling for a scam doesn’t just waste money; it can damage brand reputation and customer trust:
- Fake SEO Guarantees – “#1 on Google in 30 days!” is a red flag. SEO takes time, and no one can guarantee rankings.
- Bot-Filled Social Growth Packages – Thousands of followers for $99? Likely full of bot ratings, which can tank your engagement rate and ruin consumer trust.
- Phishing Emails Masquerading as Platforms – Messages claiming to be from Facebook Ads, Google, or LinkedIn asking you to “verify your account” or re-enter billing info. If you didn’t change a card or request a password reset, it’s not real.
- Unauthorized Google Business Profile Edits – Scammers request access to manage your listing and can sabotage or hijack it for their own gain.
- Domain Renewals – Getting emails (or even traditional mail) about your domain renewal is a common scam to try to get you to pay them instead of your domain host.
In the end, you’re your own best ally when it comes to keeping your business info secure. Remember:
- If it seems too good to be true, it is. You’re not Beyoncé – you can’t accumulate 1M followers overnight.
- Any language that seems urgent or makes you feel rushed is a huge red flag. Real agencies want to get to know you and your brand and will take their time to do things right. This isn’t a sprint; it’s a slow process of growth. Also, any threatening language: i.e., “we will delete your page” is a scam.
- Legitimate emails from Facebook or Meta will use “.com” at the end, and their links are clear and easy to read. Fakes often have weird email senders attached and, more than likely, spelling and grammar errors. If worse comes to worst, it’s always worth reaching out to Meta support to verify if they’ve contacted you. Meta will also never ask you for a password via email.
- Marketing is an ever-evolving series of choices, and there are never any guarantees. There’s experience and expertise that can act as guideposts, but promising specific numbers of followers or views is impossible.
If you’re tired of second-guessing what’s real and what’s a scam, it might be time to bring in experts you can trust. At The Relish Jar, we help businesses navigate the digital landscape safely and strategically. From verified ad campaigns to scam-proof marketing plans, we’ve got your back.
Let’s talk about how we can protect your brand and grow your business the right way.