$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Social media scams/Pinterest
Pinterest fake shopping link scam
Scammers create attractive Pinterest pins linking to fraudulent shopping sites that steal payment information or deliver counterfeit goods.
“social media scam”
↑ 470%Key indicators
Usually targetsSocial media users
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$400
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports95,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create visually appealing pins featuring popular products at attractive prices, often stealing images from legitimate retailers
2
Pins link to professional-looking but fraudulent e-commerce sites built to collect payment information
3
Buyers either receive nothing, receive counterfeit products, or have their credit card information stolen for further fraud
What to do first
Research any unfamiliar online store before purchasing — check reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or the BBB
Related terms
Pinterest shopping fraudfake pin link scamPinterest counterfeit storeSocial media scamsPinterestSurgingSocial media usersOnline shoppersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomAustraliaPinterest shopping fraudfake pin link scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Carlos, 35, a social media users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate social media scams situation while using Pinterest. Scammers create visually appealing pins featuring popular products at attractive prices, often stealing images from legitimate retailers
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Pins link to professional-looking but fraudulent e-commerce sites built to collect payment information
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Buyers either receive nothing, receive counterfeit products, or have their credit card information stolen for further fraud
The outcome
Carlos realized something was wrong when pin links to a store with no contact information, about page, or return policy. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Research any unfamiliar online store before purchasing — check reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or the BBB Carlos's experience shows why pin links to a store with no contact information, about page, or return policy and prices are significantly below what the same product costs on established retailers are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Pin links to a store with no contact information, about page, or return policy
- Prices are significantly below what the same product costs on established retailers
- Store URL is a random string of characters rather than a recognizable brand name
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Research any unfamiliar online store before purchasing — check reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or the BBB
- ✓Use a credit card with fraud protection rather than a debit card for online purchases
- ✓Report fraudulent pins to Pinterest and the FTC
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB warns that social media ads and posts, including Pinterest pins, are a growing source of online shopping scams targeting consumers with attractive visual content
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Research any unfamiliar online store before purchasing — check reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or the BBB
- ✓Use a credit card with fraud protection rather than a debit card for online purchases
- ✓Report fraudulent pins to Pinterest and the FTC
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB warns that social media ads and posts, including Pinterest pins, are a growing source of online shopping scams targeting consumers with attractive visual content
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Social media users, Online shoppers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Pinterest — Social media scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Social media users are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB warns that social media ads and posts, including Pinterest pins, are a growing source of online shopping scams targeting consumers with attractive visual content
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about pinterest fake shopping link scam
How does the pinterest fake shopping link scam work?+
Scammers create visually appealing pins featuring popular products at attractive prices, often stealing images from legitimate retailers Pins link to professional-looking but fraudulent e-commerce sites built to collect payment information Buyers either receive nothing, receive counterfeit products, or have their credit card information stolen for further fraud
What are the warning signs of pinterest fake shopping link scam?+
Pin links to a store with no contact information, about page, or return policy Prices are significantly below what the same product costs on established retailers Store URL is a random string of characters rather than a recognizable brand name
What should I do if I encounter pinterest fake shopping link scam?+
Research any unfamiliar online store before purchasing — check reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or the BBB Use a credit card with fraud protection rather than a debit card for online purchases Report fraudulent pins to Pinterest and the FTC
Who is most at risk for pinterest fake shopping link scam?+
This scam primarily targets Social media users, Online shoppers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Pinterest.
Is pinterest fake shopping link scam getting worse?+
Pinterest fake shopping link scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.