With over 1 billion users, Instagram attracts cybercriminals from all over the world. The scammers aim to target unsuspecting users and perform malicious activity. From fake romances to investment scams, the variety of Instagram scams seems endless.
Instagram scammers have a remarkable ability to be deceptive and trick users into revealing sensitive information. Some scammers have successfully convinced users to give away their money or inadvertently participate in illegal activities.
These Instagram scams often involve fake Instagram accounts impersonating someone else to exploit the person’s trust. Scammers are consistently trying new schemes on Instagram, so it’s best to stay updated on the latest protective measures, like installing a mobile VPN.
The following are the 12 most common Instagram scams and the top ways to protect yourself from falling victim:
1. Romance Scams
In most romance Instagram scams, the scammer creates a fake profile using photos of someone famous or considered conventionally attractive. The person will approach the Instagram user and pretend to want a romantic relationship with their target. The scammers invest significant time and effort to build trust, often communicating with their victims for weeks or months.
The scammer may not ask for anything at first and instead pretend to show a genuine interest in the person. Their goal is to gain the victim’s trust. Once they feel comfortable enough, they may start making requests; for example, they may say they need the money for an emergency. The fraudster could also claim they need the money for visa fees or travel expenses to come to see their target.
A typical red flag is the person’s excuses for not meeting in person. If they live abroad, they may claim they don’t have the means to travel or a passport. The scammer will also avoid video chatting to keep the impersonation as long as possible.
How to avoid
The easiest way to avoid being taken advantage of in a romance scam is to never send money to someone you haven’t met. Always be cautious of a sob story, especially if it comes from someone you just started talking to online. You shouldn’t accept money from persons seeking a romantic relationship either. Such transfers are usually fraudulent; the person will ask you to return the money to their account.
Even if you are looking for love, always be cautious about sharing too many personal details on Instagram or any other app. A scammer will often ask many questions about you but will avoid sharing information about themselves. Also, as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary, make sure to report the fake Instagram account.
2. Phishing Instagram Scams
Phishing scams are the most common type of scam on Instagram. The scammer sends a direct message on Instagram or to your email. The communication will look official and come from an address that may look like a real Instagram admin account. In the email, the scammer warns you about a non-existing security issue.
Within the message, the scammer may state that your content violates copyright or that there have been suspicious login attempts on your account. You’ll be asked to resolve the issue by clicking on a link within the message. The link will lead to a fake login page that resembles Instagram. However, the page was created to capture your login credentials.
Once the scammer enters your Instagram account, they can change your password and permanently lock you out. They can pose as you to your friends on Instagram and attempt to con them out of money.
How to avoid
Delete any messages you can’t confirm as legitimate, and don’t click any suspicious links. Instagram never asks for login details through direct messages or email. Any messages encouraging you to take immediate action or something drastic will happen are signs of a scam.
3. Fake Job Offers
If you’re on Instagram, you may find job offers that sound too good to be true. The job offer would promise lucrative pay and benefits for applicants with little or no experience.
Such fake job offers may come from counterfeit ads or cybercriminals posing as recruiters. As part of the “job application” process, they will likely ask for personal information like home address, social security number, or bank details. The imposter will claim it’s for verification purposes, but their real goal is to steal your money.
How to avoid
If a job offer seems too good, it probably isn’t legit. It’s common that you must be hired before the company needs details like your social security number or bank account for direct deposit.
Companies usually don’t ask for sensitive information before conducting an interview. Always research the contact information of the person who contacts you on Instagram. Confirm they work at the company they claim they do before scheduling an interview.
4. Influencer Scams
An influencer Instagram scam will involve fictitious accounts reaching out to users on Instagram about an advertising deal. A brand may also offer you an advertising deal as a way to get access to your banking details.
Fake influencer profiles are another issue on Instagram. The profiles may have many followers, but these followers are most likely made up of bots or fake accounts. The fake influencer will target users by offering some service in exchange for cash. Unfortunately, the services or products will never be delivered.
How to avoid
Influencers should practice caution when approached by any companies on Instagram. The offer is more likely legitimate if Instagram has verified a company.
Users who receive unsolicited messages from influencers should also be cautious. Most influencers or celebrities don’t send random direct messages to users on Instagram.
5. Fake Investment Offers
You’ll find plenty of “get rich quick” schemes on Instagram. The scammers will pose as self-made millionaires and post photos of exotic vacations and luxury merchandise.
They will ask for a small investment to help you achieve the same goals. Once the scammer receives your money, they may disappear altogether or provide falsified data on your investment, so you keep sending them money.
How to avoid
Never believe in investment opportunities that promise high returns with low or no risk. Always do your research before investing money with someone you’ve met online. Most serious investors don’t conduct business exclusively through social media.
6. Giveaway Scams
In a giveaway scam, scammers inform the victims that they have won money or a prize. However, to claim their winnings, the scammers ask to provide personal information or pay a certain amount as a processing or shipping fee.
You may also enter a contest for a giveaway through Instagram that is not legitimate. The scammers collect the contact details of contestants to get their financial information by claiming they won the competition.
How to avoid
For starters, you can’t win a contest or lottery you didn’t enter. If you are asked to pay money to claim a prize, it’s a scam. Before providing any information in a giveaway that you enter, connect to a mobile VPN. The virtual private network offers protection against hackers by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address.
7. Loan Scams
Scammers post offers for quick loans in exchange for a nominal fee. The cybercriminal will ask for payment through a credit card, and once they have the details, they will use the card to make unauthorized purchases.
How to avoid
Refrain from providing your credit card information even to verified sources on social media. Always double-check the company’s legitimacy before making any online payments. Trustful websites should allow you to make payments over an encrypted connection to confirm security. It is easy to spot it—SSL encryption will appear as “https” instead of “http” in the URL.
8. Fake Product Scams
Scammers set up Instagram accounts pretending to be legitimate brands selling products at super cheap prices. However, once the payment is made, you’ll either receive a knock-off or never receive the product at all.
How to avoid
Before purchasing anything on Instagram, confirm that you’re buying from a verified account to avoid these Instagram scams. Although you may want to save money, you’re better off shopping from well-known brands only.
9. Blackmail Scams
Among the most severe Instagram scams, cybercriminals attempt to gain leverage over an individual to get money. The scammer will harass the person and make threats about revealing private information. They may also claim to have access to your files and that they will share them if you don’t pay up.
How to avoid
Although the idea of being blackmailed is alarming, most scammers don’t actually have access to your files. They are most likely trying to scare you into paying them. Once you make the payment, the demands will continue. It is best to report the harassment to Instagram and local authorities.
10. Cryptocurrency Scams
Cryptocurrency has surged in recent years, and so have cryptocurrency scams. Like other investment Instagram scams, fraudsters promise significant returns when investing in cryptocurrency. Once they get your money or sensitive information, the scammer disappears.
How to avoid
Anyone who promises high returns on crypto investing is likely a scammer. If someone needs to send you an unsolicited message on Instagram, they are likely not a legitimate investment company.
11. Selling Fake Instagram Followers and Likes
To boost your profile on Instagram, you may be tempted to get help from a social media marketer. Such marketers may also reach out to you via direct messages. The marketer may promise a boost in your follower count or likes for a fee. However, the scammer will most likely provide bot follows and likes, if anything.
How to avoid
To avoid these types of Instagram scams, never buy your Instagram followers or likes, or make sure to use authentic legit Instagram marketing tools. If the new followers are bots, Instagram can detect it, shadowban you, or take other action. It’s better to focus on organic growth by providing valuable content. If you engage users, you’ll see a steady organic increase in your followers.
12. Subscription Scams
Subscription services can add up quickly. You may want to find ways to save money with Netflix, Xbox, Disney Plus, and more subscriptions. On Instagram, you may come across posts selling subscription access at a heavily discounted price. However, the account isn’t recognized when you attempt to sign in to the service with the provided login details.
How to avoid
The subscription scam aims to take your money without providing real access to subscription services. You may also get directed to a fake website designed to look like Netflix or Spotify. To avoid this, only purchase a subscription directly from the service provider.
FAQs: Instagram Scams
Before finishing this article, let’s answer some common questions regarding Instagram scams to gain a better understanding of this subject:
Q1. How to Catch Instagram Scammers?
To catch scammers, it’s essential to be vigilant and aware of common Instagram scams. Look out for suspicious behavior such as unsolicited messages requesting personal information or financial transactions.
Additionally, verify the authenticity of accounts and messages by checking for verification badges or contacting the supposed sender through official channels. Report any suspicious activity to Instagram and warn others to prevent further scams.
Q2. How Do I Know If I Am Talking to a Scammer?
You can identify if you’re talking to a scammer on Instagram by paying attention to certain red flags. Scammers often use fake profiles with stolen photos and vague information. They may avoid video calls or in-person meetings and instead focus on building emotional connections quickly.
Be cautious of requests for money or personal information, especially if they come early in the conversation. If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and consider reporting the account as a precaution.
Conclusion
Instagram scams are diverse, but they all share one common trait—an attempt to deceive users. You can avoid falling prey to these Instagram scams and safely enjoy Instagram by being informed.
