Like many, I enjoy browsing through Facebook. Also, like most people, I enjoy shopping, and Facebook provides many opportunities to do so.

Finding a bathing suit to fit my older, sagging body has been a real challenge. Several times I passed over the Facebook ad for a bathing suit that comes with shorts and a larger top which can be worn in public while shopping or out to eat. It appeared to perfect for me, as the top is listed as “sports bra” type, providing lots of “support”.  My credit card just slid out of my wallet, eager to purchase such a perfect swimsuit. I had almost forgotten it had been ordered because it did not arrive in my mailbox until 2 months later.  When the sloppily wrapped package was opened, squished inside was NOT the bathing suit of my dreams, but a pile of unrecognizable pieces of cloth. The “bra” part was simply cloth cut out to resemble a bra, but no elasticity to hold it in place.  The “shorts” were unevenly hemmed, and also unwearable. The cover-up part resembled a large, square piece of cloth with a hole cut out for the head, to be worn as a poncho, I surmised. I had been scammed!

It was incredulous to me that a Facebook ad could be dishonest, but carefully reading through the other ads it was apparent that the swimsuit was not the only con.  The ad for USPS Forever Stamps had previously caught my eye, but because stamps are no longer needed in my computerized world, they were of no previous interest to me. Looking at it more closely now, the sale is for 100 packs at $29.92, usually $63. What a bargain! The USPS logo was at the top of the ad, instilling familiar confidence. Elsewhere, the United States Postal Service has reported that ALL online stamp “sales” are fraud as it is illegal to sell stamps at a reduced rate.

There was a Walmart ad for a remote control, folding scooter that only weighs 30 pounds.  It easily folds up to put into a trunk, and it caught my eye as an alternative to my scooter suitcase. The Walmart logo promoted this a special sales event for only $38.49!  What a steal!  What a scam! A similar ad touted the QVC logo with a similar scooter at a similar price, only they advertised buy one, get one free! Visions of Hubby and I scootering through the mall flashed through my head, alas, this ad was also a lie.

The Vera Bradley Outlet ad caught my eye because I love the Vera Bradley brand and currently use their colorfully patterned computer case and wallet. In the ad, piles of various colorful items were stacked up on a vast array of tables, and a matching notebook caught my eye for only $1.99. Vera Bradley, whoever she is, would not scam me, would she? It turns out that Vera Bradley has worked hard to have these fake ads taken down, but as soon as one is taken down, another one appears, making it a vicious cycle.

The Salomon Outlet Sale showcases hiking shoes and other hiking apparel to be 90% off. Wow! I never liked to hike before, but, being a miser, I might want to start because the shoes are such a bargain! Bloom ChiC apparel flashed a sale of $1.99 for all tops and shorts for larger sized women, a very large population to which this ad is marketed, (including me.)  Keppal does them one better, and advertises two piece collections for $1.99. Even the Chico Outlet advertises tops for $1.99. The Lyxway site offers four pairs of comfortable pants for $24.95. At least their price is higher and more believable, even though it is still fictitious.

 Hubby likes to watch “Inside Airport Lost and Found” on the National Geographic channel, which shows people purchasing luggage which had been left behind. On Facebook, an ad for Atlanta Airport Sale promotes the purchase of unclaimed luggage for only $9.95 each, showing hundreds of high end suitcases just sitting there for the taking. Certainly more than $10 worth of treasures lay inside, if the luggage were ever delivered after the order, or not.

 The Tomalove site advertises iPads for $47.98, and it is “buy one, get one free”. Everyone must know that iPads could not possibly be sold for such a cheap price, yet I suspect many people might succumb to this possibility. An ad with the Walmart logo entices shoppers to purchase a new iPhone for only $69.95.

All of these ads were on my Facebook today where hardly a legitimate ad could be found. A sucker is born every minute. If the price is too good to be true, it is not true. It appears that Facebook willingly allows all types of scam ads on their website. They are not concerned about their reputation, but more dependent upon the revenue these ads provide. Buyer beware!