“Click here to claim your free prize!” “Congratulations! You’ve been selected for a special offer.” “Get a free iPhone by participating in our survey!” “Earn money from home with this easy method. Find out how here!” Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you’ve probably been around the internet in the last decade. Otherwise, hang on to your hat as we journey into the world of social media scams.
Scam baits such as those seen above are as old as the internet itself. Back in the day, these messages used to be sent via email. However, the evolution of social media inspired scammers to set up shop on Facebook, X, Instagram, and other platforms, for reasons such as ease of access and engagement, anonymity, large user base, and trust exploitation.
Think about it—61.4% of the global population (around 4.95 billion people) are active social media users, according to the Digital 2023 Global Statshot Report. The sheer amount of personal information shared by many in this demographic isn’t just impressive but concerning, as it can be exploited by unscrupulous characters for fraudulent activities.
Many of us buy and sell, share memories, job hunt, seek entertainment, and even express our opinions on social media. These interactions, although beneficial, can expose us to unforeseen risks. As proof, more than one in four users reported being scammed through a direct message, post, or ad in 2021, making these platforms the ultimate gold mine for fraudsters.
Given this stat, how can you know if your online interactions are legitimate? In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the most common social media scams and how to avoid them.
Scam #1: Fake Quizzes and Games
Who doesn’t love a brain teaser or a chance to earn rewards? Most of us do, which is why we often jump at the slightest opportunity to test our knowledge and reaction time, especially when promised freebies. However, it’s crucial to understand that most quizzes and games with rewards attached are designed to harvest personal information or spread malware.
For instance, some Facebook quizzes require you to log in with your username and password to take them, which, when you do, gives hackers unauthorized access to your account. They could sign you out, change your login credentials, and impersonate you to commit cyber fraud by requesting money or bank details from your friends and followers.
How to Avoid It
Not all quizzes and games are worth interacting with, especially when online safety is a top priority. So, before you participate in one, be sure to verify its source. If you receive unexpected invitations from unverifiable third-party apps and brands, ignore them, as they are likely bogus. As added security, disable pop-ups on your phone or browser, and if you’ve shared your login details with any source, consider changing them immediately.
Scam #2: Phishing
Phishing attacks aren’t restricted to just email inboxes; they’ve also trickled down to social media platforms, where hackers masquerade as trusted friends, business pages, influencers, celebrities, non-profit organizations, or even politicians. Their strategy involves sharing convincing posts, stories, or direct messages that contain malicious links.
Upon clicking, users are directed to a cloned version of the real platform, where they are required to input their details, which are then captured and used for identity theft, financial exploitation, and other cybercrimes. Sometimes, these links may also carry malware that can harm your device.
How to Avoid It
Always pay attention to the grammar, spelling, and sentence structure in messages and posts. If they are unclear, confusing, or suspicious, avoid clicking any links or downloading files from such content. For those that appear genuine, first run a virus or malware scan before opening them to prevent infection. Remember to report and block suspicious accounts whenever you see them.
Scam #3: Romance Scams
We all cherish the excitement and thrill of falling in love. But before you start dreaming of a romantic life with a stranger online, be aware that romance scammers operate on all major social networks. To reel you in, they impersonate attractive individuals and make you feel special, loved, and desirable.
As the relationship progresses, they might request financial aid, claiming it’s for an emergency, gifts, or anything else. Some scammers may even coerce you into disclosing your sensitive information, such as social security number or credit card details.
They might go as far as asking for intimate photos, which they can later use to blackmail or defraud you.
How to Avoid It
Your best bet is to decline romantic requests and messages from strangers. If you must engage, make sure they’re legit by giving them a call and checking their details on Nuwber.
Still, that’s not foolproof—go the extra mile by meeting them in person at public spots. Remember, don’t send money, personal information, or revealing photos to your newfound romantic partner until you’re absolutely sure they’re trustworthy. Even then, be careful about it.
Scam #4: Shady Job Offers
Having the unemployment blues? Well, you’re not alone, as over 6 million Americans are unemployed. And with social media being the go-to place for job search and hiring, it’s easy for the unemployed to fall into the job scam trap. These offers are usually posted in your feed or on specific job boards and claim to require zero to minimal experience. They also don’t have the usual interview process.
How to Avoid It
There’s a very simple rule to follow when it comes to job offers on social media—always double-check them. Start by checking the company’s official website and LinkedIn page. If you notice any discrepancies, steer clear. Next, reach out to other people on LinkedIn who work at the company to confirm the legitimacy of the post.
If you get past this step, request an official phone number, webpage link, or email address to send your resume. If they can’t provide any of these, or if the responses you get are vague, chances are they’re scammers, and you should end the conversation right away.
Conclusion
The success of a social media scam depends on your ability to spot it and take the right action. If you’re careful of your online security, you’re less likely to be a victim, and vice-versa. So, it’s important for you to consider the tips shared in this guide and implement them. Always remember, if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.
