If you see someone online claiming you can get free money, it might be code for ‘this is illegal.’ This summer, a viral TikTok trend showed JPMorgan Chase customers they could deposit a fake cheque to an ATM and withdraw cash before the cheque cleared. But while customers were celebrating with wads of cash, they were actually committing cheque fraud and are now facing lawsuits from the bank. This isn’t the first time a viral scam has tricked people out of money — during the height pandemic in the U.S., many fell for a pyramid scheme duping some out of amounts up to $500. The truth is, these get-rich-quick schemes are usually misleading at best, and downright criminal at worst. It’s a big reminder of how dangerous viral trends can be, especially when mixed with bad financial advice. Experts say people under financial stress are especially vulnerable, but really, anyone can get lured in by the idea of free money. So, before acting on any so-called money glitches you see online, do your research — especially if you look bad in orange.