The Rising Risk of Fake Online Ads

Online ads are everywhere. But not all ads are legitimate. A recent Reuters investigation revealed that major platforms are earning significant revenue from fraudulent ads designed to impersonate real brands, steal information, or distribute malware. The scale of the problem is larger than most people realize.

And with the holiday season now in full swing, the risk is even higher. Scammers know people are shopping more, searching for deals, and clicking faster. Fake ads spike during this time of year because distracted users are more likely to fall for “too good to be true” offers or urgent warnings.

For small and mid-sized businesses, many employees use their work devices for personal tasks and that leads to risk. Fake ads can lead to credential theft, compromised devices, financial loss, and even impersonation attacks targeting your staff or customers.

The good news? A little common sense goes a long way.

How to Spot (and Avoid) Fake Ads

1. Don’t click the first link, pause and look closely. Scammers pay to place fake ads above legitimate search results.

2. Beware of urgent or sensational messages. Holiday-themed “limited time deals,” fake shipment notices, or “your account will be closed” warnings are common this time of year.

3. Go directly to the source instead of trusting the ad. Type the company’s website manually or use a saved bookmark.

4. Watch for impersonation of known brands. Fake ads often use real logos or language to appear credible. The Reuters investigation highlights how widespread and profitable this tactic has become.

5. Talk about this with your team because busy seasons increase mistakes. Employees are juggling year-end work, personal tasks, and holiday distractions. A quick awareness reminder can dramatically reduce risk.

Protect Your Business Before a Click Becomes a Crisis

Online advertising isn’t going away and during the holidays, neither are the scams hiding within them.

Make “pause and verify” part of your team’s culture, and consider strengthening your defenses with safe browsing tools, email protections, and staff training.

If you want help reducing your organization’s exposure to online scams or other cyber threats, then schedule a free consultation.