An alleged viral video about a roller coaster tragedy is a fake—and attorney Michael Steinger says it isn’t even a convincing one.

ORLANDO – A “shocking” roller coaster accident that has appeared on Facebook the last two weeks is a fake—and a scam. Attorney Michael Steinger of Steinger, Greene & Feiner says the scam was cleverly designed to trick people, but not very realistic.

Depending on the version, the fake news story says 16 to 18 people were killed in a roller coaster tragedy at Universal Orlando, according to the Orlando Sentinel (retrieved 5/19/2014). It tantalizes users with the promise of video footage, but then instructs them to install an app and give the app permission to use their Facebook account.

If permission is granted, no video is shown—but the scam is re-posted to all the user’s friends.

“There are some telltale signs this is a scam, right off the bat,” said Steinger, an accident attorney who is well versed in theme park injuries. “You don’t need to install an app to watch a video on Faceboook. And the app says it’s ‘Foxs News,’ misspelled.”

But Steinger says most users will just click past the app permissions to get to the video—which is exactly what scammers are counting on.

“Always think carefully before you give permissions or install anything on social media,” he said. “Maybe try Googling the story first.”

In this case, Steinger says the story is incredibly improbable.

“Roller coasters are safer than people think. The chance of being injured when you walk into an amusement park is 1 in 9 million, and most injuries are caused by strain and vertigo.”

If a roller coaster did de-rail, Steinger says it wouldn’t only be on Facebook.

“That would be a one in a billion tragedy. It would be on every news station in the country.”

About Steinger, Greene & Feiner:

Steinger, Greene & Feiner is a proven legal team whose number one goal is to get injury victims throughout Florida every dollar they truly deserve for their injuries. Since 1997, the firm’s lawyers have successfully handled cases including: auto accidents, bicycle accidents, birth injuries and catastrophic injuries. The entire legal team is committed to representing and fighting for injury victims’ best interests, giving each client insight into Florida laws and their rights.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner is a legal team with more than 30 lawyers and 140 legal professionals. With offices throughout South Florida – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St Lucie, Okeechobee, Ft Myers, Orlando and Tampa – the firm is ready to advocate for the best interests of injury victims coast-to-coast Steinger, Greene & Feiner has recovered more than $500 million for their clients to date.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner

1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard

Ninth Floor

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/92rxZm