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Social media scams
Lots of scams happen on social media. We’re here to help you spot the signs and learn how to stay protected.
What is a social media scam?
Fraudsters may use social media to pretend to be a family member or friend in need of help. It could be a random attack or a message from somebody you know whose account has been hacked.
They could also use social media to offer items for sale. Scam deals steal your money and may fund serious crime.
Always be cautious and think twice before interacting with unknown profiles or clicking on suspicious links. If something seems off, it probably is!
Common scams to watch out for
Purchase scams
If you’re thinking of buying something from somewhere like Facebook Marketplace or TikTok Shop, we can help you learn what to look out for to keep your money safe.
Fraudsters might rush you into making a quick decision by telling you it's a limited offer or that the item has lots of interest and likely to sell out. Pushing you to send them money before having time to think about your purchase.
They might also ask you to pay for the item outside the social media channel or request to be paid directly. This is because you’ll get less protection from an unsecure payment method.
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Look out for these warning signs before you buy on social media:
- Sold out tickets to events and shows – learn more about ticket scams.
- New profiles that have no friends and little to no activity.
- A price that seems too-good-to-be true.
- The seller asks you to pay by bank transfer or outside the social media platform.
- Little or no information about the item.
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- Don’t let a seller rush you. If the deal seems too-good-to miss, it’s likely a scam.
- See the item in person, if you can. A genuine seller will let you come by to check the item if it’s large, local or expensive. If they say no, they could be a fraudster.
- Use a debit or credit card if you’re paying online. Or use a payment service that offers buyer protection, such as PayPal Goods and Services.
- Research the seller. For example, on the TikTok Shop verified sellers get a blue checkmark next to their name.
Impersonation scams
In this type of scam, fraudsters pretend to be other people on social media. They’ll either create a fake account to impersonate someone or hack a person’s real account.
Once they’ve picked someone to impersonate, the fraudster will contact that person’s friends and family. They might message to say they’ve lost or broken their phone and they can’t get into their bank account.
Then they’ll claim they need to borrow some money – and they need it in a hurry.
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Impersonation scams can happen on lots of different social media platforms, like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. If a friend or relative asks you over social media to send them money, watch out for these warning signs:
- You get a message out of the blue.
- The person messaging makes up excuses about why they can’t answer the phone.
- The messages are short, without any identifying information.
- They’re rushing you to send money.
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- Call the person messaging you. Always use a phone number you trust. Fraudsters will have an excuse ready for why they can’t pick up because answering will give them away.
- Video call them. Agree an upfront password or ask them to answer a question only they would know.
- Confirm it’s them. Ask if they’ve messaged you on social media when you’re sure you’re speaking to them.
- Report suspicious messages. If you’re not sure, ignore the messages and block the account.
Competition scams
Influencers and businesses sometimes post giveaways and competitions on social media. This could be to celebrate a significant milestone like gaining 100,000 followers or an anniversary since launching.
If a fraudster spots that you’ve entered a real giveaway, they might message you saying that you’ve won. You’ll get a link to claim the prize, but you’ll have to enter your personal or card details to verify your address. Or you might have to pay a small fee for delivery.
The fraudster now has your name, address and card details.
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Before you select any link or reply, check for the signs that it could be a scam:
- The message is from a private account.
- You don’t follow the account that messaged. Normally, you’ll need to follow the brand’s account to enter a giveaway.
- The giveaway hasn’t closed yet.
- You need to give card details to claim your prize. Real giveaways only need your name, contact information and postal address.
- Look at the profile carefully. Fraudsters may set up a fake profile trying to imitate a genuine business and copy their logo.
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- Don’t select unexpected links.
- Never share your bank details or give personal information to strangers. If you’re not sure who is messaging, ignore them.
- Report suspicious messages. Especially if they say you’ve won a giveaway you know you haven’t entered.
- Save giveaway posts. If you enter a giveaway, make sure you can go back to the original post to check if you’ve won.
Online scams can fund serious crime
Getting scammed can harm you and the ones you love. The money you lose to online scams such as sold-out tickets or the latest phone can also go on to fund other serious crimes. Plus, you won't get what you paid for.
Let’s work together to stop the cycle and avoid any deal that looks too-good-to-be true.
Learn about other scams and how to protect yourself
Scam calls
Want to know how fraudsters can use your details to win your trust?
Scam emails and texts
Find out how fraudsters try to steal your details.
Pension scams
Fraudsters can pretend to be someone you trust to target your pension.
Investment scams
Fraudsters may pretend to be a genuine company or adviser.
Protect your devices
Do you know how to keep all of your devices safe?
Protect your identity
Fraudsters may try to steal your personal and banking details.
