How to Avoid Social Media Scams
Despite social media having plenty of productive and fun uses, it has become a popular hotspot for scammers looking for confidential information. In 2021, the number of people using social media was nearly 4.5 billion worldwide, with the average user accessing 6.6 different social media platforms.
According to the FTC, in 2021 more than 95,000 people reported about $770 million in losses to fraud, initiated on social media. More than one in four people who reported losing money to fraud in 2021 said it was a result of an ad, a post or a message on a social media platform. With data like that, it’s no surprise that scammers are targeting social media to scam consumers.
Social media allows scammers to reach billions of people all over the world. They can also use personal details that people share on social media, such as age, interests, and even past purchases.
Here are a few general tips to keep in mind:
- Be cautious of links posted to your wall, news feed or sent via direct message. Always reach out personally before accepting friend requests
- Avoid accepting requests from someone you don’t know. Scammers often lead you to malware that can then spread through your account.
- Beware of Norton LifeLock impersonation scams. Never provide personal or confidential information to a sender or website that you do not know or trust.
- Watch out for scam giveaways, contests, and quizzes.
- Be cautious of new friend requests and avoid oversharing personal details on social media.
- Secure your social media accounts and avoid clicking on suspicious links
Social media is here to stay, so as consumers, we need to be more vigilant. Scams are constantly evolving, and some may look more legitimate than others, but you must remember to always be on guard.
Social media is here to stay, so as consumers, we need to be more vigilant. Scams are constantly evolving, and some may look more legitimate than others, but you must remember to always be on guard.
If you receive a suspicious email, text, or phone call, never click on the links or open any attachments.
Pennian Bank has additional resources regarding security. Stay informed and protect yourself against social media scams and fraud.