An air ambulance charity has called on social media companies for help after being targeted by online scammers over the weekend.
Wales Air Ambulance Charity started a competition on Friday offering the chance to win a visit to one of its bases.
But the charity said fraudsters used fake Instagram and Facebook accounts to try to fool potential supporters into sharing personal information.
It abandoned the competition once it became aware of the fraud attempts.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Unfortunately, over the weekend a scammer has set up fake Instagram and Facebook accounts in our Charity’s name. They’re using the competition to gain personal/financial details from our supporters.
Please do not click on any links associated with these accounts! pic.twitter.com/iVMLGftPqO
— Wales Air Ambulance Charity (@air_ambulance) May 23, 2022
The charity alerted Instagram to the problem on Sunday, via its Twitter feed, and asked the social media company for help getting the fake accounts removed.
It also urged its supporters not to share any details using the fraudulent profiles.
Steven Stokes, director of strategic communications and engagement at Wales Air Ambulance Charity, said: “As part of the charity’s new rebrand, we offered our supporters a chance to enter a competition to win an airbase visit.
“Entries were via our Facebook and Instagram accounts. The scammers have since set up fake Wales Air Ambulance Facebook and Instagram accounts and are using the…
