How to identify this scam:
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2025 3:50 am
Biscuit filling
This is a really sneaky scam, targeting companies that run affiliate programs.
Here's how it works: Scammers use phishing tactics, malware, and pop-ups to plant cookies with their affiliate tracking IDs on an unsuspecting user's browser. When the user visits the website and makes a purchase, these sellers get a commission.
These cookies are often set to never expire unless the user deletes all cookies in their browser. The customer has had no interaction with the scammer’s content, hasn’t received any notifications – nothing! And yet, the scammer still earns a commission.
This type of scam is difficult to spot unless your affiliate program has a built-in fraud portugal telemarketing data detection system. You should also monitor conversions in Google Analytics, looking for suspicious URLs and activity.
Many affiliate programs only allow marketers to send traffic from a list of pre-approved websites, and any conversions that do not come from approved websites are discredited.
Whenever possible, we recommend allowing affiliates to send traffic only from a list of pre-approved websites. You can then report and investigate any conversions coming from unapproved sources.
3. Google Ad Keyword Hijacking
Google Ad Hijacking
This is a real problem for businesses: Google Ad Keyword Hijacking.
Basically, scammers sign up for an affiliate program and run Google ads on branded keywords or keywords where your business may already be advertising.
This increases your ad costs and you end up paying them a commission for traffic that you could have gotten yourself.
This is a really sneaky scam, targeting companies that run affiliate programs.
Here's how it works: Scammers use phishing tactics, malware, and pop-ups to plant cookies with their affiliate tracking IDs on an unsuspecting user's browser. When the user visits the website and makes a purchase, these sellers get a commission.
These cookies are often set to never expire unless the user deletes all cookies in their browser. The customer has had no interaction with the scammer’s content, hasn’t received any notifications – nothing! And yet, the scammer still earns a commission.
This type of scam is difficult to spot unless your affiliate program has a built-in fraud portugal telemarketing data detection system. You should also monitor conversions in Google Analytics, looking for suspicious URLs and activity.
Many affiliate programs only allow marketers to send traffic from a list of pre-approved websites, and any conversions that do not come from approved websites are discredited.
Whenever possible, we recommend allowing affiliates to send traffic only from a list of pre-approved websites. You can then report and investigate any conversions coming from unapproved sources.
3. Google Ad Keyword Hijacking
Google Ad Hijacking
This is a real problem for businesses: Google Ad Keyword Hijacking.
Basically, scammers sign up for an affiliate program and run Google ads on branded keywords or keywords where your business may already be advertising.
This increases your ad costs and you end up paying them a commission for traffic that you could have gotten yourself.