10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Social Media Scams

During the pandemic, we have turned to social media to maintain our connection with family and friends, get the latest trends and news, and destress from the current situation.   Social media scammers have taken advantage of the increase in users and usage to execute their schemes.  These scammers will attempt to get your personal information or try to hack into your social media accounts. 

Unfortunately, Mamacademy PH has experienced this first-hand recently.  As you may have seen in our social media accounts and newsletter, we have posted warnings of an Instagram account posing as our giveaway account. 

Given the prevalence of this scam, we wanted to share ten ways to guard yourself against social media scams and stay secure online.

Ten Tips to Avoid Social Media Scams

1. Be Aware of Different Social Media Scams

Different schemes and scams are circulating online.  According to Instagram Help Center, here are the common types of scams.

• Romance Scams – Scammers try to start a relationship and earn the trust of the victim. They eventually come up with reasons to ask for money – for flight, visas, or a family emergency.
• Lottery Scams – Scammers pretend to be from a known organization or group and send you a message that you have won money or a package. They will use the prize to lure the victims into giving their personal and bank information.
• Loan Scams – Scammers entice users to take a loan with a low-interest for a minimal advance fee. Scammers disappear after the payment has been sent to them.
• False Investment Scams – Scammers invite users to an investment with unrealistic returns. Scammers run away after the investment is made.
• Job Scams – Job scammers post misleading or fake job posting. Once the user applies, scammers will ask for personal information, bank details and even ask for government identification cards.
• Credit Card Fraud – Scammers will use your credit card details to purchase goods online.
• Paid Subscription Services – Products or services will not be delivered after payment.
• Phishing Scam – Scammers send a link via email or message inbox with a link that can hack your social media account.

2. Use strong passwords to secure your online accounts.

While it’s tempting to use simple passwords that you can easily remember, we recommend using a strong password.  Strong passwords usually consist of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a character (if allowed).  If you have challenges remembering passwords, you can use three or more words and insert or replace some letters with numbers.  Instead of using threeblindmice, you can use Thr33bl1ndmice! or Thr33bl!ndmice.

3. Keep your passwords for each social media unique.

As much as possible,  assign different passwords to your social media accounts.    An unfortunate leak of a social media password can lead hackers to try your password on your other social media and online accounts.

4. Turn on Two-factor authentication

If your password has been compromised, two-factor authentication can save your account from being hacked.    When it is enabled, a one-time pin will be sent to your registered mobile account. 

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have this feature already.

5. Check the profile of the account before liking or following it.

Take time to do a profile check before adding an account to your friends or following list.  Do not add if you see these signs.

• Accounts that claim to be a large organization or group but do not have a verified sign (blue check beside the account name).
• Relatively new accounts that use the same logo and similar name of an existing social media account. Scammers will usually tweak the name to make it unique by inserting special characters like underscores or a dash.
• Accounts that pretend to be giveaway accounts of an organization or group.

6. Exercise caution when you receive messages stating you have won a contest or asking for money.

Ignore messages from unknown or unverified accounts asking you to claim a prize for a contest you never even joined.  

If you receive messages from a friend or family member asking for money, verify that you are really talking to your friend or relative and not a hacker.

7. Do not be tempted to click links.

If you receive links via email or direct message, refrain from clicking suspicious links.  The links may grant a hacker access to your social media account.

8. Keep your personal, social media, and banking information confidential.

Do not give personal, social media credentials or banking details to social media accounts you do not know.

9. Do not send money to accounts you do not personally know

Legitimate giveaways, contests, and job postings will never ask for a fee.  If you receive these kinds of messages, report the account and block the account. 

10. Report malicious and inappropriate posts and accounts.

If you encounter suspicious accounts or messages, report them immediately to Facebook or Instagram to prevent them from contacting other people.  Block the account or message too.

Social media has become part of our lives as we embrace digital innovations.  We hope that the tips we shared give you practical measures to safeguard your online security so we may all continue to enjoy social media benefits and contents

Please share this blog post with your family, friends, and colleagues so that they can also protect themselves from social media scams.

References:

Instagram Help Center

8 Ways to Protect Yourself From Scams on Social Media | Inc.com

How to Be Better at Social Media Than Mark Zuckerberg | Inc.com