By Guest Contributor

No one can deny that social media has transformed how we communicate and interact with family, friends, businesses, and even strangers. Unfortunately, scammers have used social media platforms as a forum for their frauds.  Education is key and being able to identify how to spot a scam on social media is crucial to avoid falling victim to scammers’ tactics.  Here are a few common scams found on the different platforms:

LinkedIn

  • Fraudulent job postings
  • Fake services like resume writing, professional development courses, etc.
  • Bogus profiles to help the scammer seem legitimate
  • Investment and cryptocurrency scams 

Facebook

  • Fraudulent purchases using Marketplace or community buy and sell groups
  • Quizzes and games with the intent to collect information
  • Scammers compromise accounts to reach out to a network of friends and family
  • Fake charities, emergencies, emotional situations, etc.

Instagram

  • Romance scams
  • Bogus products and/or services
  • Giveaway scams
  • Blackmail scams

TikTok

  • Online purchasing scams
  • Fake influencers with quick cash opportunities
  • Deep-fake technology

X (Twitter)

  • Impersonation
  • Fake surveys for phishing scams
  • Links to fake websites that contain malware

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently released an article with insight on how to avoid scams on social media.

  • Be wary of impersonation and compromised accounts
  • Shop  safely online
  • Set your profile to private
  • Be mindful of what you share

Source: BBB.org and norton.com

Provided by AgeWell Middle Tennessee