Have you ever wondered about the most common scams on Instagram? This social media platform isn’t just a place for sharing photos; it’s also a hotspot for fraudulent activities. With its vast user base and easy accessibility, Instagram has unfortunately become a breeding ground for various fraudulent schemes.
In this article, we’ll explore seven of the most prevalent scams that plague the Instagram community, shedding light on how they work and how users can protect themselves.
So, here are the most popular Instagram scams and how you can avoid them.
7 Most Popular Scams on Instagram
With over 2 billion active monthly users, Instagram’s popularity has made it one of the top networking platforms for scams and other deceptive activities. Fraudsters devise a variety of schemes on this platform to steal data and swindle money from unsuspecting users.
The most prevalent deceitful acts include:
1. Phishing
Using phishing attacks, criminals can come after your account log-in credentials, credit card details, social security number, and a range of other identifiable data useful for committing fraud.
A common technique deployed is phishing emails that impersonate Instagram. In these, criminals reach out to individuals to warn them about suspicious activity, which has triggered a temporary account deactivation. To reactivate, users must log in.
But, the link provided in the email is a hoax that takes users to a spoofed website identical to Instagram’s log-in page. It is designed to steal passwords and usernames so criminals can access user accounts.
Once they do, they can post fake ads and target followers for fraud. They could even take over the account and demand a payment to release it.
2. Misleading Product Ads
Product promotions are fairly common on Instagram, similar to other networking sites. However, many of these involve scams, often in the form of misleading descriptions, defects, and counterfeits.
3. Investment Scams
Fraudulent crypto projects, NFTs, and similar investment opportunities that guarantee lucrative returns swindle millions of dollars from Instagram users each year.
They typically use exclusive and limited-time deals to create a sense of urgency and tout how thousands of others have already earned millions by investing with them. Certain scams on Instagram also involve deepfake celebrity endorsements.
4. Influencer Fraud
Sham influencer accounts are rife on Instagram. Manned by bots and scammers, these profiles are designed to elicit personal data or steal money by misleading innocent people.
5. Romance Swindles
In this type of fraud, scammers use fabricated or stolen accounts to lure users into romantic relationships.
Once they win trust, these bad actors will then dupe victims into giving them money. Sometimes, they may even attempt to draw out personal information to target users for identity theft-related scams.
6. Fake Jobs
Fraudsters often imitate well-known employers to promote and advertise hoax jobs on social media. To apply, they will ask you to click a link and fill out an online application. But these are identity scams on Instagram that steal personally identifiable data, including social security numbers, tax IDs, and bank information.
Some dishonest recruiters may also ask for money under the guise of a payment to process your job application.
7. Free Giveaway Scams
Gifts and freebies serve as excellent bait to entice Instagram users into various frauds.
For instance, scammers could devise fraudulent surveys and competitions that offer free giveaways in exchange for a few personal information.
They could also use “claim your gift” messages to steal your data by taking you to phishing sites or downloading malware.
How Can You Avoid Scams on Instagram and Remain Safe?
Making safety a priority is the only way to avoid fraudsters on social media.
Here are proven security measures every Instagram user must adopt.
Be Skeptical
As the saying goes, all that glitters is not gold.
Naturally, practicing caution is crucial when dealing with too-good-to-be-real promises, claims, offers, and money-making opportunities.
If something seems oddly lucrative or overly tempting, it is best to stay away from it.
Protect Your Personal Data
Your Instagram posts could reveal valuable information to scammers and make you an attractive target for fraudulent schemes.
Therefore, being mindful of your safety is imperative when posting content, whether it is an Insta-worthy photo or a comment.
In addition, you can ensure data privacy by:
● Switching your account to private mode to prevent strangers from browsing your profile and content.
● Being selective about who you allow to follow you.
● Securing your profile with a strong password that is unique to your Instagram account.
● Turning off data tracking on the platform to block it from collecting your activity data.
Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications
Unexpected DMs from recruiters, brands, celebrities, and anyone else you barely know should be treated with caution. There is a high chance they are fraud-related and are fake Instagram DMs.
Be particularly careful with messages that contain links, even when the sender seems familiar.
Verify Information
Authenticating information and individuals you come across on Instagram is an essential step for avoiding scams.
For example,
● Verify accounts before interacting with strangers. When was the profile set up? How often does the user post and engage with others? How many followers do they have? Are there more bots than human followers? The answers to these questions could provide important clues for detecting fake accounts.
● Research online to verify information about investments, jobs, product promotions, and any other activity or program that could potentially put you at risk. For example, visit the relevant company’s website, read third-party reviews, and find news articles that could help shed more light on their activities.
● If someone familiar or known to you asks for money on Instagram, call them on their regular phone number to avoid impersonation fraud.
Minimize Your Data Footprint
Over time, all your digital interactions can result in a sizable data footprint, exposing you to innumerable safety threats. So, it makes every sense to cut down on your data trails if you are concerned about your digital security.
You can identify the scale of your data legacy with a simple Google search of your name. Go through what is listed on the SERPs and identify the records you want to remove.
If you have direct access to their sources, deleting them is easy. But if you don’t, you will need to reach out to the relevant site owners and request data removal.
Shedding accounts you no longer use or need is also important, especially when it comes to networking platforms. Nuwber recommends downloading your data and removing any residual data trails before deleting or deactivating your social media accounts.
FAQs
Still curious about how to stay safe from scams on Instagram? Check out these frequently asked questions for tips and insights:
Q1. How Do I Know If I Am Talking to a Scammer?
Spotting a scammer on Instagram involves watching for certain signs. If you receive unexpected messages from someone you don’t know, especially if they ask for personal information or pressure you to act quickly, it’s likely a scam. Also, look out for inconsistencies in their messages or profile information.
Q2. Are There Scams on Instagram Ads?
Yes, scams can manifest through Instagram ads. It’s essential to scrutinize ads carefully, especially those promising extraordinary results or deals that seem too good to be true. Look for signs of authenticity, such as verified accounts or reputable brands. Additionally, avoid clicking on suspicious links within ads to mitigate the risk of phishing or malware attacks.
Q3. What to Do When Being Scammed on Instagram?
If you suspect you’re being scammed on Instagram, take immediate action. Stop communicating with the suspected scammer, report and block their account, and secure your own account by changing your password and reviewing your security settings.
It’s also a good idea to inform your followers if the scam involved impersonation or compromised accounts. If you’ve suffered financial loss or shared sensitive information, consider contacting relevant authorities or seeking support from Instagram or financial institutions.
To Sum Up
Instagram is not just popular among its users. It has become a favored networking site for scammers, too.
Phishing, misleading product ads, investment scams, influencer fraud, romance swindles, and fake jobs and giveaways are among the top scams on Instagram encountered on the platform. However, don’t be alarmed—by taking proactive measures, you can easily ward off these threats and ensure your safety.
