Social media platforms have become a fertile ground for deceptive practices, with fake advertisements emerging as a significant threat to users.
Scammers are increasingly exploiting the reach and perceived trustworthiness of these platforms to disseminate misleading offers and schemes.3 This issue extends to the impersonation of well-known brands, including the beloved chocolate manufacturer, Milka.5
The purpose of this report is to raise awareness among social media users about the existence of these fraudulent Milka advertisements and to equip them with the knowledge to identify and avoid these deceptive tactics. By understanding the potential risks and recognizing the common red flags, individuals can protect themselves from becoming victims of these scams. Fake ads for Milka chocolate are appearing on social media. These ads trick people into giving away money and personal details.
Here’s what you should know:
Why are these fake Milka ads bad?
Fake ads can cause you to lose money. You might pay for chocolate that never arrives. Or, you could be asked to give personal information, like credit card details, that can be stolen. Sometimes, clicking on these ads can put a virus on your device. These scams also hurt Milka’s real reputation.
How can you tell if a Milka ad is fake?
- Too-good-to-be-true deals. If the price is super low or they offer free chocolate easily, be careful.
- Strange website links. Check if the website name has misspellings or looks weird.
- Bad quality. Look for spelling mistakes and bad writing in the ad.
- Asking for too much info. Real Milka promotions usually don’t ask for your credit card before you enter.
- Pushing you to act fast. Ads that say “Only a few left!” or “Hurry!” might be fake.
- No blue checkmark. Look for the blue checkmark on Milka’s social media account to see if it is real.
- Comments off. If the comments on the ad are turned off, it might be a scam.
What are common tricks used in fake Milka ads?
- Fake contests. They might say you won but ask you to pay for shipping.
- Free stuff for sharing. They might ask you to share and tag friends for “free” chocolate.
- Phishing. They show a special deal, but the link takes you to a fake site that steals your info.
- Fake products. They might sell fake chocolate or items with the Milka logo.
- AI-made ads. Some fake ads use AI to look real, so be extra careful.
How to stay safe?
- Be suspicious. If a deal seems too good, check Milka’s official website.
- Go directly to Milka’s site. Don’t click links in ads, type the website address yourself.
- Protect your info. Only share personal details on Milka’s real website during a purchase.
- Report fake ads. If you see a fake ad, report it to the social media site.
- Look for the blue checkmark. Only trust Milka accounts with the blue checkmark.
- Don’t rush. Take your time to check if an offer is real.
- Use ad-blocking software. This can stop some bad ads from showing up.
What to do if you got scammed?
- Report the ad. Tell the social media site about the fake ad and account.
- Contact your bank. If you have given your financial info, call your bank quickly.
- Change your passwords. If you entered login details on a fake website, change your passwords.
- Report to the FTC. Tell the Federal Trade Commission act ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Or to your local cybersecurity task force.
- Check your accounts. Watch for any strange activity in your bank accounts and credit reports.
Sources:
- Beware of social media ad scams – WSLS, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/01/11/beware-of-social-media-ad-scams/
- Fake Ads on Social Media: Leads for Criminals – Brandsec, accessed May 5, 2025, https://brandsec.com.au/fake-ads-on-social-media-leads-for-criminals/
- Beware of FAKE ads on social media, accessed May 5, 2025, https://outsetmedia.com/pages/beware-of-fake-ads-on-social-media
- Are You Clicking on Fake Social Media Ads? 10 Red Flags – Reader’s Digest, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.rd.com/list/fake-ads-on-social-media/
- Saw the fake Milka advertising, hat to answer with mine : r/aifails – Reddit, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/aifails/comments/1gffh00/saw_the_fake_milka_advertising_hat_to_answer_with/