We’re sure you can agree that social media is a great place to stay connected and discover the latest news stories and trends. However, we must always beware! Rapid growth of the platforms has led to an increase in the number of scams out there.
It is super important to spot these scams straight away, to avoid any damage to your pages. Don’t panic, this blog will cover all you need to know about the different types and what to look out for…
What is a social media scam?
We’re so glad you asked! Scams occur when users hack into existing social media accounts or create fake accounts to carry out fraudulent activity online. The scammers then gain access to platforms that allow them to promote investment opportunities and connect with other profiles, tricking them into parting with money or personal and business data.
Here are some common scam types…
Romantic scams
Often used to build a trusting relationship online, the misleading romantic scam involves users sending romantic messages to other accounts, pretending to be a prospective partner. Scammers have the intention to steal money, personal information and potentially hack the user’s social media account.
Competition scams
Ever received a puzzling notification that you’ve won a competition you didn’t enter? Let us introduce you to lottery and competition scams. Scammers contact various social media users claiming that they are among several winners of their competition. They may ask you to claim a prize by responding to their message or clicking a link.
Job post scams
With so many great job opportunities available online, it’s no wonder job post scams are one of the most common and dreaded of them all! This type of scam includes users posting a fake job advert with the intention to gain payment or personal information.
Access token theft
A sneaky scam which is easy to fall for! You may receive a link which requests access to your social media accounts, this notification may look legitimate, but don’t let it fool you. Scammers can use this as a way to hack your accounts and gain access to personal and financial information.
What should I look out for?
- Unknown users requesting a payment via your online platform
- Accounts requesting fees when you are applying for a job role
- Unverified pages impersonating a public figure
- Unknown accounts asking you to send them a private message or email
- A request for money for a reward in return
- Users claiming to be a relative during an emergency
- False or misrepresented locations
- Poor spelling and grammar within a post or message
- Messages or links directing you to claim a prize
The dark side dos and don’ts of social media…
- DON’T - First things first, avoid suspicious links! More often than not, scams are spread via dangerous URLs.
- DON’T - Transferring money online if offered a reward in return is a no-go. Any financial information should be kept secure, and all online payments should be made only on trusted platforms
- DO - We recommend regularly checking your login history and reporting any suspicious activity, such as unknown users, locations or attempted login requests.
- DO - Report any emails, messages or comments from accounts you do not trust.
- DO - Finally, block out those scammers asap! Unknown users who request admin access to your page should be immediately removed.
Now you know the score on scamming, we wish you safe scrolling! If you require any further information or advice regarding scams or spam on social media, our inbox is open! Contact us today at hello@socialsoda.co.uk
