Social Media Scams

Protect yourself from fraud on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social platforms. Learn to spot fake profiles, phishing attempts, and fraudulent schemes.

Back to All Scams

Warning: Social media scams are increasingly sophisticated, using AI and stolen personal information to appear legitimate. Always verify identities and be cautious of unsolicited contact.

How Social Media Scams Work

Social media scammers exploit the trust and personal connections that these platforms are built on. They create fake profiles, impersonate friends or celebrities, and use social engineering tactics to manipulate victims into sharing personal information or sending money.

These scams are particularly effective because they appear to come from trusted sources within your social network. Scammers often research their targets using publicly available information to make their approaches more convincing and personalized.

Common Examples

Fake Profile Scams

Scammers create fake profiles using stolen photos to build relationships and eventually ask for money or personal information.

Phishing Links and Posts

Malicious links shared on social media that lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials.

Fake Giveaway Contests

Fraudulent contests claiming you've won prizes but requiring personal information or fees to claim winnings.

Marketplace Scams

Fake sellers on Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms who take payment but never deliver products.

Warning Signs

Friend requests from people you don't know or duplicate profiles
Messages asking for money, gift cards, or personal information
Posts or ads with deals that seem too good to be true
Requests to click suspicious links or download unknown apps
Fake celebrity endorsements or giveaway contests
Urgent messages claiming your account will be deleted
Poor grammar, spelling errors, or generic messages

How to Protect Yourself

Verify friend requests by checking mutual connections
Never send money or gift cards to people you meet online
Be cautious of links and attachments from unknown sources
Use privacy settings to limit who can contact you
Report and block suspicious accounts immediately
Verify contest legitimacy through official brand channels
Think before you share personal information in posts

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

Stop all communication with the scammer immediately
Report the account to the social media platform
Change your passwords if you shared login credentials
Contact your bank if you sent money or shared financial information
Warn your friends about the scam to prevent them from being targeted
File reports with FTC, FBI IC3, and local law enforcement
Review your privacy settings to limit future exposure

How to Report Social Media Scams

Platform Reporting

Report directly to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Report on Facebook Report on Instagram

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Report social media fraud and scams

Report to FTC

Stay Social, Stay Safe

Social media should be fun and connecting, not a source of financial loss. When in doubt about a message or request, verify through another communication method before taking action.

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