Users getting stuck with Pinterest scam

Pinterest has rolled out an improved recipe search function. (Image: 2013 Pinterest).

The Better Business Bureau is warning users of the popular social media tool Pinterest to be careful about phony links that could leave them open to attacks from fraudsters.

In these scams, users get email from Pinterest indicating that one of their friends has shared a ‘pin’ with them.

Targeted users are usually intrigued by the subject of the photo, which could be anything from celebrity photos to a giveaway offer.

Opening the email and clicking on the designated pin ends up sending the user to another foreign website which has nothing to do with Pinterest.

Those sites could be a marketplace for counterfeit products, promoting fraudulent work from home jobs, telling bogus news stories, or even installing dangerous malware on your computer.

Sandra Crozier-McKee, president and CEO of the BBB serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay, says that social media platforms are an easy way for scammers to reach an untold amount of victims. “Social media platforms are used by millions of people each day, which makes any social media user a target for scammers," she says. "BBB urges consumers to exercise caution when responding to unsolicited messages, even if they are from popular, trusted organizations. If you're suspicious, trust your gut and check with the organization or the BBB before responding to these kinds of messages."

The BBB offers the following ways to help keep your Pinterest account secure:

For more information and other consumer tips, visit bbb.org.