Joy to the world, it’s scam season. More and more people are searching gifts and holidays online. More and more scammers are searching gift givers and holiday-ers online.Mischief andCash App have launched a campaign to recognise them, to thwart them. The campaign, “If it’s weird for real, it’s weird for real”, showshow scammers target victims.
The campaign’s three thirty-second spots demonstrate common money scams by depicting the scenarios in the real world. The series encourages people to think twice when something feels suspicious. Note: 80% of them have likely been targeted by at least one scam featured in the campaign.
“This campaign represents our commitment to championing consumer protection,” stated Catherine Ferdon, head of brand at Cash App. “The online nature of today’s most popular scam tactics can make people second guess what’s real, but we want to ensure that our users – and the general public – understand the signs to look out for. This campaign encapsulates Cash App’s commitment to demystifying scams and empowering users to trust their instincts.”
Mischief worked with Biscuit Filmworks to underline the absurdity of the language and tactics used by scammers outside the context of a phone. The hero spots were directed by Jeff Low. Additionally, these same situations were played out in a “man on the street style” for TikTok with director, Chris Gutierrez, and Baby Lion to capture real people’s authentic reactions to these scammer scripts in everyday places.
“Even though online scammers are getting more sophisticated, the language they use is still really strange and riddled with red flags,” noted Craig Shervin, associate creative director at Mischief.
Associate creative director, David Spradlin, added, “We’re pointing out those red flags and hoping the next time people see them, they think, “scam!””
The spots will be running across Cash App’s social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and X throughout December.
Find more information on how to avoid scams on Cash App and keep your account safe, here and here.
Credits
Client: Cash App
Head of Marketing: Geoff Seeley
Head of Brand: Catherine Ferdon
Creative Production: Sheena Demby
Product Marketing: Andrew Dinh
Creatives: Blazo Calovic, Malik Sulieman, Heather Brodie, Steven Pham
Social Media: Maurice Jennings
Channel Marketing: Brett Estrella
Social Marketing: Maggie Rummel
Agency: Mischief @ No Fixed Address
Co-Founder & CCO: Greg Hahn
ECDs & Partners: Bianca Guimaraes & Kevin Mulroy
ACD, Art: David Spradlin
ACD, Copywriter: Craig Shervin
EVP Production: Will Dempster
Executive Producer: Amy Wertheimer
Head of Strategy: Jeff McCrory
Group Strategy Director: Ed Gunn
President & Partner: Kerry McKibbin
Managing Director: Tyler Harris
Account Director: Justine Yucesan
Account Executive: Genesis Vega-Arboleda
Partner & Head of Development: Oliver McAteer
Production & Service Company: Biscuit Filmworks
Director: Jeff Low
Partner & Managing Director: Shawn Lacy
Executive Producer: Holly Vega
Head of Production: Sean Moody
Producer: Emily Skinner
DoP: Joao Padua
Editing: Arcade
Editor: Jeff Ferruzzo
Assistant Editor: Sam Barden
Producer: Cecelia Milton
Executive Producer & Partner: Sila Soyer
Colour: Company 3
Colourist: Tim Masick
Sound Design: Heard City
Producer Record & Mix: Ryan Moncrief
Mixer: Phil Loeb
Managing Director & Partner: Gloria Pitagorsky
Executive Producer: Liana Rosenberg
Music: Warner Chappell (Brian Emrich)
Senior Creative Director, Advertising: Gavin Carroll,
TikTok
Production Company: Baby Lion
Director: Chris Guerrero
DoP: Afshan Shahidi
Executive Producers: Ramon Nunez & Digby,
Senior Producer: Brett Annese
Line Producer: Alexander Moon
Editorial & Post Production: Mischief @ NoFixedAddress
Editor: Kevin Tian
Executive Producer: Will Dempster
Producer: George Preston
