A bus company has warned passengers to beware of a free bus ticket scam.
Social media adverts purporting to offer a free annual pass have been shared on numerous Facebook pages under the guise of a new government initiative.
They encourage people to click on a link and fill out a short survey to redeem their Key smart card.
The Argus understands the domain name was previously used in an energy discount scam.
The initial "free ticket" site encourages people to take part in a short survey about the smartcard before they are given three chances to pick the card from gift boxes.
If they are successful, which they always are, they are taken to a page to redeem their annual ticket prize.
It is here they are told the prize will cost them an administration fee of £2. People are encouraged to input their full name, email address, mobile number, delivery address and their existing bus card number.
The page appears convincing. It prominently features the National Rail smartcard logo and a graphic of the card. A menu bar shows other pages including "plan a journey" and service updates, however none of these work when clicked.
Read more: New bus route in city launches
The page says people will be entered into a competition for the card and contacted by email or phone and also enrolled into a three-day trial of an "affiliate associated website" where prices may vary and memberships automatically renew.
They are then redirected to the Google home page if they try to continue.
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Buses said: "We’ve been made aware of some posts on social media where people are being offered free bus travel in Brighton.
"Sadly, this is a scam. Some people have lost money as a result of following the links and entering personal and financial information.
"If you see something like this, please report it to Facebook and don’t click on the links. If you think you have been targeted, please speak to your bank and report to the police. Thank you to those of you who have contacted us to make us aware."
The Argus has contacted the website's domain registrar Namesilo to report the abuse.
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