5 Social Media Scams To Stay Clear Of

Social media offers connectivity. It’s a way to stay in touch with friends. You might use it to see what’s trending.

Social media is also a place where scams are rampant, though. Cybersecurity consultants in Sydney are constantly warning their clients about them. We’ll take a moment to talk about some of the most common ones now.

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Fake Charities

You may see charities that pop up on social media, usually in the wake of a globally-significant news story. Every time there’s an earthquake, tsunami, or some humanitarian crisis, you’ll see charities appear that claim to help the victims.

These are often scams. If you want to legitimately help the victims of a war or some similar disaster, research the charity thoroughly before you give it any money.

Romance Scams

It’s easy to start talking with someone on social media who says they want to become romantically involved with you. They might share revealing pictures and say they want to meet in person.

Before they do, though, they will often ask for money. They’ll usually say they need it for a plane ticket to come see you. They might also ask for cash to help a sick relative, fix their car, or for some other reason.

These are usually scams. Wait till you meet with someone you met on social media in person before giving them any money or gifts.

Crypto Investing

Crypto investing has exploded onto the scene over the past few years, and many people want to get rich quickly through it. Some have succeeded, but many more casual or even serious investors haven’t.

You might encounter someone on social media who claims they can make your initial investment back many times over for you in the form of crypto. These are often scams. Keep your money rather than trusting it to these individuals. They’re usually trying to entice you to participate in a Ponzi scheme, or they plan on pocketing your money.

Prize Giveaways

If someone contacts you on social media and says you’ve won a prize, they might claim they need additional information to get it to you. They may ask for your name, physical address, phone number, and perhaps even your bank account or social security number.

These are generally brazen scammers trying to prey on someone who thinks they’ve legitimately won something. Don’t fall for this tactic. Don’t give these solicitors any of your personal information, as they will probably use it to steal your identity.

Fake Products

Someone may contact you on social media claiming they have an amazing new product they’d like to share with you. They might say you can have it free, but you must pay for postage and handling.

These products don’t usually exist. The person who contacted you will keep the money you send for shipping and handling or whatever other expenses they’ve invented.

If you watch out for these scams on social media and don’t fall for them, you should enjoy your time on these platforms much more.