Avoiding Scams

Jul 31

Social media is an amazing resource for connecting with others and expressing yourself, but unfortunately it is also a place for scammers to take advantage of vulnerable social media users.

A scammer on social media is ultimately someone who creates fake profiles, posts, or websites to persuade users to share personal and/or financial information. Scammers use the name, picture, or likeness of a real organization or celebrity and message users asking for information. There tends to be spelling or grammar errors in the account names or URLs. (ex: Bey0nce)

Phishing, the practice of sending messages with malicious links to steal personal information, is common as well. Romance and friendship scams are also common.

If you are in a scam, stop all contact with the scammer immediately. If one becomes a victim of scam, it is important to report the account responsible immediately. You can do so by pressing the three dots in the corner of a post (on any platform) and selecting any variation of “Report.”

Never click on direct messages, links, posts, or pop-ups from accounts that you are not familiar with. Adjust your privacy settings so that your posts are only seen by people you know. Create a strong, unique password for each of your social media accounts to ensure that no one has access to them but you.

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Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Avoiding Scams

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