Fitness Scams Lure In Unsuspecting Gym Goers as New Year Resolutions Take Hold
With the new year in full swing, many are turning to gyms and fitness classes to help them shed unwanted pounds or tone up. However, scammers are capitalizing on this trend, preying on those who are eager to start their fitness journey.
A recent scam has seen fake gym ads popping up on social media platforms, offering discounted memberships with limited-time offers. But when potential customers try to sign up, they find that the ads are nothing more than a ruse. The gyms have no record of the payments, and the scammers have long since disappeared with their ill-gotten gains.
But this is just one part of a larger problem. Scammers are using various tactics to deceive gym-goers into handing over their hard-earned cash. Some fake personal trainers are offering "bespoke" training plans that are actually copied from free online sites. Others are peddling fake fitness apps that collect users' data without any discernible benefit.
According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at cybersecurity firm NordVPN, scammers often clone real ads or sites from legitimate businesses. They may also use sponsored results on search engines to get their fraudulent websites in front of unsuspecting customers.
"The new year fitness rush creates the perfect environment for scams," Briedis warns. "People are often signing up quickly without taking the time to check who they're dealing with." He advises gym-goers to be cautious of offers that rely on urgency, extreme discounts, or pressure to sign up today, especially if there are limited contact details or no independent reviews.
One red flag is the use of AI technologies to make images appear more convincing. Scammers may alter images to show fake success stories or muscle bulges in order to lure people into their trap.
So how can you spot a fitness scam? Be wary of ads that create a sense of urgency, such as limited-time offers or only a certain number of places left at the advertised price. If an ad promises a cheap gym membership with special deals for January, it's likely a scam. And never hand over your bank details to unknown parties – scammers will take your payment and store it for use in future scams.
If you click on a link from an unsolicited email or social media message, pay close attention to the website address. Legitimate sites will have similar URLs to their official websites. Instead of following a link, go directly to the official website or app if there's a problem with your membership or subscription.
Finally, be cautious of anyone asking you to pay by bank transfer – this can leave you vulnerable to Section 75 protections that come with using credit cards.
If you think you've been defrauded, contact your bank immediately and then Action Fraud, the central hub for fraud and online crime. By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, you can avoid falling victim to fitness scams and stay on track with your New Year's resolutions.
With the new year in full swing, many are turning to gyms and fitness classes to help them shed unwanted pounds or tone up. However, scammers are capitalizing on this trend, preying on those who are eager to start their fitness journey.
A recent scam has seen fake gym ads popping up on social media platforms, offering discounted memberships with limited-time offers. But when potential customers try to sign up, they find that the ads are nothing more than a ruse. The gyms have no record of the payments, and the scammers have long since disappeared with their ill-gotten gains.
But this is just one part of a larger problem. Scammers are using various tactics to deceive gym-goers into handing over their hard-earned cash. Some fake personal trainers are offering "bespoke" training plans that are actually copied from free online sites. Others are peddling fake fitness apps that collect users' data without any discernible benefit.
According to Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at cybersecurity firm NordVPN, scammers often clone real ads or sites from legitimate businesses. They may also use sponsored results on search engines to get their fraudulent websites in front of unsuspecting customers.
"The new year fitness rush creates the perfect environment for scams," Briedis warns. "People are often signing up quickly without taking the time to check who they're dealing with." He advises gym-goers to be cautious of offers that rely on urgency, extreme discounts, or pressure to sign up today, especially if there are limited contact details or no independent reviews.
One red flag is the use of AI technologies to make images appear more convincing. Scammers may alter images to show fake success stories or muscle bulges in order to lure people into their trap.
So how can you spot a fitness scam? Be wary of ads that create a sense of urgency, such as limited-time offers or only a certain number of places left at the advertised price. If an ad promises a cheap gym membership with special deals for January, it's likely a scam. And never hand over your bank details to unknown parties – scammers will take your payment and store it for use in future scams.
If you click on a link from an unsolicited email or social media message, pay close attention to the website address. Legitimate sites will have similar URLs to their official websites. Instead of following a link, go directly to the official website or app if there's a problem with your membership or subscription.
Finally, be cautious of anyone asking you to pay by bank transfer – this can leave you vulnerable to Section 75 protections that come with using credit cards.
If you think you've been defrauded, contact your bank immediately and then Action Fraud, the central hub for fraud and online crime. By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, you can avoid falling victim to fitness scams and stay on track with your New Year's resolutions.
- they just keep biting away! 
With everyone trying to get fit in the new year, it's like a goldmine for these shady operators 
They're cloning ads, using AI to make images look more convincing, and even pretending to be personal trainers with bespoke training plans... it's like they have no shame 
. Take a deep breath, do some research, and verify the info before handing over your hard-earned cash 
.
. Stay vigilant, stay smart, and happy (and healthy) new year 
!
they're probably just scammers trying to take advantage of people's good intentions... always check the website, not just the ad, and never give out your bank info to someone you don't know 
just saw this news about fitness scammers preying on people who wanna get fit in the new year 
its like they know how desperate ppl are for a quick fix 
and honestly why do scams always come out during the new year when ppl are already stressed about resolutions? 
People are gonna fall for this no doubt. Fake gyms and trainers are like a dime a dozen now. And those "bespoke" training plans are just copied from some free website online. It's like they're trying to rob you blind in the name of fitness goals 
. It's just a matter of time before someone gets taken for a ride. Mark my words, these scams are gonna keep popping up all year round, not just in January 
they're trying to take advantage of people who are just excited to start their fitness journey and make some real progress 
but it's so important we don't fall for scams 
especially with the new year being all about making changes and setting goals 
let's all be careful out there and do our research before signing up for anything 
i mean if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is 
so always check those red flags like limited-time offers or no contact info 
. The key is to remain vigilant, especially when offers seem too good (or bad) to be true 
. By doing some research, reading reviews, and verifying the legitimacy of a business, individuals can avoid falling prey to these scams 
. After all, a strong online community requires a safe and trustworthy environment for everyone 
.
... it's like they think people are gonna be all "oh wow, I need this bespoke training plan" without doing their research 
.
!