How do I know an advert on social media is real (genuine) or fake? #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

How do I know if an advert on social media is genuine or fake?  I get asked this question all the time.  Someone asked Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis the same question and his response is perfect, “It’s fake…start with the presumption that the advert is fake…unless you can prove it isn’t.” 

Please watch this short clip for more detail (you don’t need to login to Facebook to watch it): https://www.facebook.com/mrmartinlewis/videos/6th-former-martin-how-do-i-know-if-an-advert-on-my-socials-is-real-or-fakepart-o/1633135914455086/

Getting money back – it very much depends how you paid. If you’ve followed my previous advice about safer online shopping you’ll know that the official advice is to pay by credit card and you have various rights to reimbursement under the Consumer Credit Act.   

Please do share this important update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ link to the 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been defrauded and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ 

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously, please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team