At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the safety and wellbeing of our guests are paramount, and that includes your online presence. That's why we feel it's crucial to address a concerning trend we've noticed recently: the proliferation of fraudulent Zoo ticket discount offers circulating on social media platforms (not just for our Zoo, but others nationwide as well!). We understand the importance of ensuring both your online and financial safety, which is why we've put together this guide to help you navigate and identify these scams effectively.

Understanding Internet Scams

Internet scams come in various forms, but they often share common characteristics. Fraudulent profiles may offer enticing deals, such as heavily discounted or even free tickets, through social media, emails, or text messages. As Bob Mayes, Vice President of Technology at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, aptly put it, "Fraudsters employ various tactics to steal credit card, banking, or personal details. They often entice potential victims with unbelievably low prices or free offers on popular products through social media pages, voicemails, emails, or text messages."

Why Scams Pose a Threat

Mayes further emphasizes the risks associated with falling victim to these scams: "Scammers lack legitimate access to the advertised products or services! Their primary goal is to extract your credit card, banking, or other personal information. Once obtained, they may either sell it to other scammers or exploit it to accumulate significant credit card charges, deplete your bank account, or open credit/loans in your name." Therefore, it's crucial to exercise caution and skepticism when encountering such offers.

Spotting the Red Flags

Here are some examples of recent “discounted ticket” scams we’ve seen on Facebook and Instagram (although scams can be found on other platforms, too!) to help you identify the warning signs. Look out for suspicious web addresses and profiles, requests for personal or financial information from third-party sites, or deals that seem too good to be true. 

EXAMPLE 1

Things to identify in this example:

1. The presenting page is called "Zoo Anniversary", not the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. If in doubt, visit their profile! Does it look like the real organization that they're pretending to be? Look at the profile URL, the posting frequency, the voice of the page, etc. If the profile/page was just opened a few days before you see their offer, chances are it's a scam. You can report the page by clicking on the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. 
2. If the price or discount doesn't seem realistic, it probably needs more review before you purchase. 
3. Look at the post or caption. Does it sound like the Columbus Zoo's voice when you read it? If not, ask why. 
4. If the button that asks you to purchase tickets leads you to a third party payment site, pause before purchasing and go through a more thorough review process. The Zoo's ticket pages look like this one:

EXAMPLE 2

Things to identify in this example:

1. Does this look like posts you've seen on the Zoo's social media pages? Look at the fonts, colors, and voice. If it seems "off-brand", look deeper before purchasing. 
2. The steep discount offered should raise red flags. 
3. Where does the "Buy Now" link lead? If it's not the Zoo's website (like the screenshot listed above), chances are, it's not a legitimate offer, and you should not share personal or financial information. 

Finding Legitimate Information and Discounts

To ensure you’re on the Zoo’s official social media pages or website prior to purchasing tickets, follow these steps to verify validity:

• Check for the blue verification checkmark on our official social media accounts. The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds are both verified on all platforms we have a presence on besides TikTok (and we’re working on it!).
• Visit our website directly by typing the URL into your browser instead of clicking on links from unknown sources.
• Want to double check to ensure that you’re on the Zoo’s official page on a social media platform? Click on the embedded social media links at the bottom of our website’s home page.

Remember, relying on reputable channels is crucial to safeguard against scams. For additional assurance, explore our website and official social media handles for genuine discounts and promotions.

• The Columbus Zoo's website Hours and Rates page, which includes the year-round discounts that we offer: https://www.columbuszoo.org/hours-and-rates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/columbuszoo 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbuszoo
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbuszoo
• X: https://twitter.com/ColumbusZoo
• TikTok: @ColumbusZooandAquarium

Taking Action

As part of our Zoo community, you can play a crucial role in combating these scams. If you come across any suspicious offers, we encourage you to report them to the respective platform. By working together, we can help protect each other from falling prey to fraudulent schemes. You can also continue to reach out to us with direct messages on social media, we appreciate that!

Thank You.

Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. That’s our mission, and the reason we wanted to share this information with you. We extend our sincere thanks to our guests for their continued support and vigilance in safeguarding against online scams.

Remember, your safety is our priority, and we're committed to providing you with the information and resources you need to navigate the digital landscape securely. Together, let's stay informed, stay safe, and continue to enjoy all that the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has to offer.