Social media has completely changed how we connect, communicate, and exchange information in the digital age. Despite all the possibilities and advantages, social media scams represent a darker side. As social media platforms’ ubiquity and audience expand, so do the strategies used by fraudsters and online criminals. These frauds prey on the confidence, private information, and hard-earned money of their unwary victims. It is essential to comprehend the numerous guises that these swindles wear and how to safeguard oneself from falling for their cunning tricks. We may traverse the social media world with caution and reduce the risks associated with online fraud by being aware and on the lookout.
Top Social Media Platforms Used by Scammers
Scams can happen on every social media site, but some have a higher risk of happening because of their popularity, user base, or unique features. The following platforms are known to experience more scams than others:
Facebook: With more than 2.8 billion active users each month, Facebook draws scammers who exploit its sizable user base. Phishing efforts, phoney freebies, investment schemes, and romance fraud are all frequent scams on Facebook.
Instagram: Due to its visual aspect, scammers frequently use Instagram to construct false profiles and advertise phony goods and services. Instagram scams sometimes involve bogus influencers, knockoff products, and phishing attempts through direct messaging.
Twitter: Due to its real-time and open nature, Twitter is a haven for a variety of hoaxes, including cryptocurrency schemes, phoney celebrity accounts, and phishing links disguising themselves as hot topics or news stories.
WhatsApp: Although largely a chat service, scammers frequently use WhatsApp to disseminate false information, conduct phishing attacks, and pose as contacts to deceive users into divulging personal information or sending money.
LinkedIn: As a medium for professional networking, LinkedIn is targeted by con artists who fabricate job advertisements, make connection requests for phishing, or take part in business scams, including promising investment opportunities that are too good to be true.
All these platforms have numerous types of Scams alerts but Instagram and Facebook are two apps where the majority of scams are happening.
Scams on Instagram/ Facebook
Due to its visual appeal and popularity among brands and influencers, Instagram/Facebook has been a medium that scammers routinely target when it comes to online shopping scams on social media.
The second most popular platform for online purchase fraud, after Facebook, was revealed to be Instagram, according to a 2019 survey by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The study examined over 10,000 scam reports and discovered that con artists frequently used Instagram/Facebook to market fake or nonexistent goods.
Both platforms have recently put steps in place to combat scams, such as enhanced reporting processes and automated identification of questionable activity. Scammers, however, are constantly refining their strategies to get around these controls and prey on unwary consumers.
While purchasing on Instagram/ Facebook or any other social media network, it’s crucial to exercise caution. Here are some recommendations to keep yourself safe:
Phishing scams
Fraudulent login sites that closely resemble genuine Instagram or Facebook login screens are made by con artists. To fool visitors into entering their login information, they may also send misleading messages that contain links to these bogus pages. Once they have it, the con artists can use the victims’ accounts to send spam or carry out additional fraud.
A user might, for instance, get a message on Instagram purporting to be from Facebook Support informing them that their account has to be verified because of erroneous behaviour. The message contains a link that directs the user to a phoney login page, where they unknowingly submit their login information and grant the scammers access to their accounts.
TIPS
Before entering your login information, always check the URL in the address bar. Make sure it’s the platform’s official webpage.
To provide an additional degree of security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your social media accounts.
Be wary of unsolicited emails that include links, particularly those that purport to be from legitimate support teams.
False Prizes and Contests Scam:
Scammers pose as influencers or companies and advertise enticing prizes and contests on Facebook or Instagram. To join, users are asked to provide personal information or click on dangerous websites, but no incentives are ever given out.
Example: An illustration would be when a well-known Instagram influencer announced a huge prize and asked followers to contribute personal information and tag friends to enter. The influencer, however, never chooses winners or gives out the promised gifts.
Tips
Check the account’s verification status and engagement level to confirm the legitimacy of freebies or competitions.
Be wary of disclosing private information or clicking on dubious links without first verifying the integrity of the promotion.
Verify whether the influencer or company delivers the prizes by looking for prior winners or subsequent postings from them.
Romance Scams
Scammers pose as prospective love partners while creating phoney profiles on Facebook and Instagram. They build relationships with users online and win their trust and love. They eventually beg for money under a variety of guises and then vanish after getting the money.
Example: An example would be a user connecting with a person on Facebook who pretends to be a soldier serving overseas. They engage in frequent conversation before the person eventually offers to repay any money they are given to aid with “emergency leave” expenditures. But as soon as the money is sent, the con artist vanishes.
TIPS
When interacting with people you meet online, especially those who ask you for money right away, use caution.
Despite their appealing stories, never pay money to somebody you haven’t met in person.
Inform the platform of any suspicious profiles or money requests.
Fake Online Store Scam
Scammers construct bogus online storefronts on Facebook and Instagram and advertise goods at tempting prices. However, they either sell fake goods or fail to deliver the ordered goods after being paid. To persuade customers to make purchases, they employ persuasive product descriptions, advertisements, and promotions. However, customers may receive nothing in return for their cash or an entirely different item from what was represented because these shops frequently sell fake or subpar goods.
Example: For illustration, an Instagram account sells designer handbags for ridiculously inexpensive costs. Users are persuaded to make purchases, but after the money is transferred, the scammers disappear, leaving customers without any goods.
TIPS
Buy goods only from reliable internet retailers that accept secure payment methods.
Do some research on the vendor and look up testimonials or comments from previous clients.
Be wary of products with steep discounts, especially those from unidentified sellers.
Charity Scams
To take advantage of people’s good nature, scammers fabricate false charity campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. They ask for donations, but instead of giving the money to the designated recipients, they keep it for themselves.
Example: an Instagram account launches a fundraising effort to aid victims of a natural disaster. Donations are made, but because the scammer keeps the money for himself, it never gets to the people who need it.
TIPS
Donate directly to credible, well-established charities through such organizations’ official websites or other trustworthy channels.
Before making a contribution, confirm the legitimacy of crowdfunding initiatives.
Before making gifts, exercise caution when making emotional pleas and complete your homework.
Investment Scams
On Facebook and Instagram, scammers advertise phony investment opportunities with great returns and low risk. To make their schemes seem authentic, they could employ stolen identities or made-up testimonies.
Example: A Facebook page, for instance, promotes a Bitcoin investment opportunity and promises assured returns with no risk. Through a website, users are urged to make investments, but as soon as the money is sent, the con artists vanish, and the investments turn out to be fake.
TIPS
The following are some things to keep in mind when investing
Be wary of chances that offer unrealistic returns or look too good to be true.
Before investing any money, independently research and confirm investment firms and opportunities.
If you are unsure about an investment opportunity, talk to a financial counselor.
Scams on other Social media platforms
Scammers use LinkedIn to send connection requests in order to collect personal information or sell email lists to outside parties. To win trust, they might pose as recruiters, businesspeople, or potential customers.
Job Application Scams: On LinkedIn, con artists post fictitious job openings in an effort to con unsuspecting candidates into divulging personal information or accepting false employment offers.
False Company Profiles: On LinkedIn, con artists build false company profiles that falsely claim to represent well-known companies. These personas are used for phishing attempts or to lend legitimacy to other schemes.
TIPS
Before accepting connection requests, check profiles. Verify any links between the parties and make sure the account appears to be genuine.
Verify the legitimacy of the job posting and firm before submitting any personal information for job applications.
Verify business profiles against official websites or other reliable sources.
Scammers may attempt to deceive users into supplying their WhatsApp verification codes, which they then use to take over the victim’s account. WhatsApp: a.
Forwarded Scams and Fake WhatsApp Messages: Scammers send messages purporting to be from friends or official organizations, requesting money or private information.
Investment and financial scams: Fraudulent investment opportunities and Ponzi schemes may be advertised on WhatsApp by con artists who guarantee big returns.
TIPS
Never give anyone else your WhatsApp verification code.
Be wary of texts from people you don’t know or who ask for personal information or money.
Avoid making hasty financial judgments based on unsolicited messaging by conducting independent research into investing opportunities.
