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Be careful, if you see the following advertisement on Facebook, it is better not to click on the link. The big name Uni Innsbruck is advertised, but this is not a collaboration but a fraud.
INNSBRUCK. It’s not just the University of Innsbruck that is affected. Advertisements appear again and again on social media in which well-known companies or institutions offer certificates with a photo and headline. As soon as such a link is clicked, there is a risk that personal data will be misused.
Certificate fraud
The advertising promise of the latest ad is: “From November, free online study programs at the University of Innsbruck will be available to those over 45.” The website has no legal notice and is therefore not trustworthy.
The first ad we saw on Facebook had a very similar structure. But the homepage is different. The Facebook ad promoted free online university courses with certificates for ages 45 to 65 and 65 to 85. However, the link provided does not lead to the official website of the University of Innsbruck, but to a page that is rated negatively. According to Scamadviser, zip.lu’s trust score is extremely low, which is a clear warning sign of a possible scam:
“If a website is rated very poorly by us, we strongly recommend checking it thoroughly as it could be an online scam.”
The ad itself comes from Courses Creator, which describes itself as an educational website and educational research center.
Origin image
The image of the advertisement comes from a press event in May 2022. The people pictured are: from left: Vice Rector for Infrastructure Wolfgang Streicher, Vice Rector for Human Resources Anna Buchheim, Rector Tilmann Märk, Vice Rector for Research Ulrike Tanzer, Vice Rector for Teaching and Students Bernhard Fügenschuh. This appointment was about balancing the 2020/21 academic year.
Statement from the University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck will inform the MeinBezirk editorial team upon request:
“Like other universities, the University of Innsbruck is repeatedly used as a “decoy” in such advertisements. We regularly report these advertisements. However, the operators constantly appear under new names and are therefore difficult to prosecute.
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What legal recourse do victims of fake certificate scams have, and are there any organizations dedicated to helping them recover their financial losses?
## World Today News Interview: Beware of Fake University Certificate Scams
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re diving into a concerning trend: fake online certificate scams targeting individuals, often exploiting the reputations of well-respected institutions. Joining us to discuss this issue are [Guest 1 Name], a Cybersecurity expert with [Guest 1 Credentials/Affiliation], and [Guest 2 Name], a representative from the University of Innsbruck. Welcome both!
**Section 1: Understanding the Scam**
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], can you explain how these certificate scams typically operate? What are the red flags people should be aware of?
* **Host:** This particular scam uses the University of Innsbruck’s name and imagery. [Guest 2 Name], how does the university respond to these fraudulent activities, and what steps are you taking to protect your institution’s reputation?
**Section 2: The Impact on Victims**
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], what are the potential consequences for individuals who fall victim to these scams? We mentioned data misuse – can you elaborate on the types of risks involved?
* **Host:** Beyond financial losses, what emotional and psychological impacts might victims experience?
**Section 3: Educating the Public **
* **Host:** [Guest 2 Name], from the university’s perspective, what advice do you have for students and the general public to avoid falling prey to these scams?
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], what role can social media platforms and search engines play in preventing the spread of these fraudulent ads?
**Section 4: Looking Forward: Fighting Back Against Scammers **
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], are there any emerging technologies or strategies that offer hope in combating these increasingly sophisticated online scams?
* **Host:** [Guest 2 Name], what collaborative efforts are being undertaken between universities and law enforcement agencies to bring these scammers to justice?
**Host:** Both of you have provided invaluable insights into this growing threat. Thank you for sharing your expertise. And to our viewers, stay vigilant online, verify information carefully, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
