This board appears to be full of special offers of some sort.
A closer look reveals an opportunity for a free $500 gift card to H&M if you click on the link.
To access the great deal, you have to re-pin the image, which spreads the false offer's reach.
Turns out they're out of gift cards, but -- now that you've re-pinned the offer -- click on the link to find more great deals!
If you just fill out a quick questionnaire, your failed H&M offer will be replaced by another too-good-to-be-true deal.
This board appears to be full of special offers of some sort.
A closer look reveals an opportunity for a free $500 gift card to H&M if you click on the link.
To access the great deal, you have to re-pin the image, which spreads the false offer's reach.
Turns out they're out of gift cards, but -- now that you've re-pinned the offer -- click on the link to find more great deals!
If you just fill out a quick questionnaire, your failed H&M offer will be replaced by another too-good-to-be-true deal.
The popularity of picture-based service Pinterest also makes it an increased target for scams, according to one online security expert who spoke to Mashable.
Pinterest's simple, intuitive interface — fueling its popularity — also makes it an easier target for scammers than other social networks, says Catalin Cosoi, chief security researcher at the antivirus software provider BitDefender. Unlike Facebook or Twitter, where clever sentences and closed networks add obstacles for would-be scammers, a simple eye-catching photo can entrap imprudent Pinterest users and spread quickly.
"It's very tricky because, so far, for Facebook and Twitter it's quite easy to spot a scam — you have to install an app or follow a certain link," Cosoi says. "With Pinterest, on the other hand, it's only a picture you have to click on or re-pin."
Most Pinterest scams so far involve surveys, and are the most common plots across all social media sites, according to Cosoi. A seemingly great offer for a discounted service or product will first ask users for personal information.
That personal information enables more directly targeted attacks and come-ons to unsuspecting users. (See gallery above for examples.)
"When a service is new and there are a lot of users joining, there's a false sense of security," Cosoi says.
So how can prolific pinners avoid becoming prey? Cosoi says to use extreme caution when providing personal or professional information — as opposed to tastes and favorites — online. He also recommends using link scanners and other malware-fighting tools.
Pinterest is aware of the spam and phishing challenges it will face with continued growth, and says addressing them quickly is a "tremendous priority."
"Our engineers are actively working to manage issues as they arise and are revisiting the nature of public feeds on the site to make it harder for fake or harmful content to get into them," a company spokesperson told Mashable in an email.
Pinterest isn't the first social network to face security issues, though, and won't be last.
"This is something we'll see everyday," Cosoi says. "As a service becomes more popular, malware writers and scammers will see if they can use the tool for bad, as well."
Have you come across attempted scams on Pinterest? What were they like? Let us know in the comments.
BONUS GALLERY: Inside Pinterest Headquarters
This is the front of the Pinterest office in downtown Palo Alto.
This is the first thing you see upon entering Pinterest's HQ -- now that's more like it!
Walking in the front door, you'll see this hall with quirky artwork and fan mail on the wall. Desks are on the left and straight ahead are stairs up to a small loft office area.
Originally, the back wall was orange, but they painted it red. Two screens display Pinterest analytics and the homepage, respectively.
Two Pinterest employees discuss their work.
The brother of an employee drew this dino sketch on the wall of the main office.
Several Pinterest employees told us that this is their favorite piece of wall art in the office.
The back room is stocked with junk food and various snacks.
If you visit Pinterest in Palo Alto, they may ask you to have a seat in this cozy little area at the front of the open-concept office.
Office manager Leslie told me the staff loves Dr. Pepper.
Can you see the Nerf dart in these blinds? Those brightly-colored darts are everywhere in the office. Pinterest-ers used to have Nerf guns, but decided that just throwing the darts was easier.
I asked these guys if they have any meetings today. "This is a meeting," one of them replied.
Fan mail is posted on a wall near the front door. The letters range in tone from touching to quirky.
This is one of the secluded offices where smaller meetings are held.
Pinterest employees work in the open-space loft office in Palo Alto.
A Pinterest employee works on the website at the office in Palo Alto, Calif.
A creative fan sent Pinterest these pretty ornaments.
Everywhere you turn in the office, there's something cool to look at --- just like Pinterest.
The upstairs open-air loft office looks down on the bull pen area. Right now, no one sits upstairs, but the company is rapidly growing and will have to look for a new office soon.
This is the front of the Pinterest office in downtown Palo Alto.
This is the first thing you see upon entering Pinterest's HQ -- now that's more like it!
Walking in the front door, you'll see this hall with quirky artwork and fan mail on the wall. Desks are on the left and straight ahead are stairs up to a small loft office area.
Originally, the back wall was orange, but they painted it red. Two screens display Pinterest analytics and the homepage, respectively.
Two Pinterest employees discuss their work.
The brother of an employee drew this dino sketch on the wall of the main office.
Several Pinterest employees told us that this is their favorite piece of wall art in the office.
The back room is stocked with junk food and various snacks.
If you visit Pinterest in Palo Alto, they may ask you to have a seat in this cozy little area at the front of the open-concept office.
Office manager Leslie told me the staff loves Dr. Pepper.
Can you see the Nerf dart in these blinds? Those brightly-colored darts are everywhere in the office. Pinterest-ers used to have Nerf guns, but decided that just throwing the darts was easier.
I asked these guys if they have any meetings today. "This is a meeting," one of them replied.
Fan mail is posted on a wall near the front door. The letters range in tone from touching to quirky.
This is one of the secluded offices where smaller meetings are held.
Pinterest employees work in the open-space loft office in Palo Alto.
A Pinterest employee works on the website at the office in Palo Alto, Calif.
A creative fan sent Pinterest these pretty ornaments.
Everywhere you turn in the office, there's something cool to look at --- just like Pinterest.
The upstairs open-air loft office looks down on the bull pen area. Right now, no one sits upstairs, but the company is rapidly growing and will have to look for a new office soon.
Scam gallery images courtesy of BitDefender
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