Scammers Capitalize on Post-Holiday Fitness Frenzy
The New Year's fresh start often translates into a renewed commitment to fitness, but scammers are cashing in on this well-intentioned enthusiasm. As people eagerly sign up for gyms or personal training programs, scammers are quick to capitalize on their urgency.
Gym-goers beware: many deals advertised online are actually scams. After clicking on the ad and handing over payment, victims may discover that they have been duped – no membership details have been provided, and contact with the gym is impossible.
Experts warn that this scam is just one of several fitness-related frauds that have been spotted in January. Fake personal trainers, who promise customized training plans but deliver nothing more than generic advice from free websites, are also on the rise. Meanwhile, fake fitness apps harvest users' data without providing any tangible benefits.
According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, scammers often clone real ads or sites from legitimate businesses to lure in victims. The tactics are designed to prompt people into reacting impulsively, rather than taking the time to thoroughly research the offer.
To spot a fitness scam, be cautious of deals that rely on urgency, extreme discounts, or pressure to 'sign up today'. Check if there are limited contact details or no independent reviews. Additionally, be wary of images being altered using AI technologies to create more convincing muscle bulges – this is often used to lure people in with fake success stories.
If you click on a link from an unsolicited message claiming to be from a gym or fitness brand, exercise extreme caution. Check the website address carefully for any discrepancies, and avoid paying by bank transfer, which means you will not have access to Section 75 protections offered by credit cards.
If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and then report the incident to Action Fraud, the central hub for fraud and online crime.
The New Year's fresh start often translates into a renewed commitment to fitness, but scammers are cashing in on this well-intentioned enthusiasm. As people eagerly sign up for gyms or personal training programs, scammers are quick to capitalize on their urgency.
Gym-goers beware: many deals advertised online are actually scams. After clicking on the ad and handing over payment, victims may discover that they have been duped – no membership details have been provided, and contact with the gym is impossible.
Experts warn that this scam is just one of several fitness-related frauds that have been spotted in January. Fake personal trainers, who promise customized training plans but deliver nothing more than generic advice from free websites, are also on the rise. Meanwhile, fake fitness apps harvest users' data without providing any tangible benefits.
According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, scammers often clone real ads or sites from legitimate businesses to lure in victims. The tactics are designed to prompt people into reacting impulsively, rather than taking the time to thoroughly research the offer.
To spot a fitness scam, be cautious of deals that rely on urgency, extreme discounts, or pressure to 'sign up today'. Check if there are limited contact details or no independent reviews. Additionally, be wary of images being altered using AI technologies to create more convincing muscle bulges – this is often used to lure people in with fake success stories.
If you click on a link from an unsolicited message claiming to be from a gym or fitness brand, exercise extreme caution. Check the website address carefully for any discrepancies, and avoid paying by bank transfer, which means you will not have access to Section 75 protections offered by credit cards.
If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and then report the incident to Action Fraud, the central hub for fraud and online crime.
oh no! these scammers r super sneaky lol 
gym-goers gotta keep an eye out for fake ads & trainers! 
don't click on suspicious links or pay by bank transfer 
here's a simple check: 
is the website legit? 
do they have reviews & good contact details? 
also, be wary of "limited time" deals that make you feel pressured 
. I mean, who gets caught up in the hype and doesn't research? It's just another example of how our enthusiasm can be exploited by those with ill intentions. We need to set boundaries, not just for ourselves but also when it comes to protecting others from these scammers... we gotta stay vigilant! 
. I mean, I get it, a new year's resolution to get fit can be a great motivator... but come on! Be careful out there, guys! Those ads that seem too good (or cheap) to be true are probably scammy 
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but when i clicked on the link it was totally suspicious lol i didn't wanna give them my info so i did some research and guess what? it turns out its a scam 
now i'm just gonna be super cautious with all my online fitness stuff and make sure to verify everything before signing up or paying anything 
gym companies need to be more transparent about their deals or at least clearly mark the ads as scams, can't believe ppl would fall for that 
especially with all the fake fitness stuff out there rn some ppl r using ai to make their bodies look more buff than they actually are lol just do ur research & dont click on suspicious links 
use nordvpn 2 protect ur online security & report any scams 2 action fraud ASAP 
. Like, if u see a deal that sounds too good 2 b true or has no reviews, just dont do it. Dey got AI tech these days to make fake pics & vids look legit, but its all jus a scam. U gotta keep ur wits about u online, especially when it comes 2 payment info 
I hate when scammers take advantage of people's good intentions! Post-holiday fitness frenzy is a perfect opportunity for them to make some quick cash 
. The tactics are so clever too - cloning real ads or sites to make them look legit 
!
. It's just a way to rush people into making impulsive decisions without thinking them through 
. And can we talk about those AI-generated ads for a sec? They're getting so convincing, but there's always something off about them 
. Stay vigilant out there, fitness fam! 
. Anyway, just thought I'd share my 2 cents... be careful out there! 
they're everywhere & most of them r total rip-offs