Instagram scams have become a norm, and there’s a drastic increase in the number of these scams. A report found that Instagram scams rose to 155% in 12 months as of March 2023.

As online scammers learn new tactics to infiltrate your account, keeping updated about Instagram scams and ways to avoid them is essential for all users. Read on and learn about the top Instagram scams, signs to spot them, and the actions required to reduce the risk of getting scammed.

Top Instagram Scams

Online fraudsters use various methods and tactics to exploit the Instagram app. They do all this to compromise users’ sensitive data and accounts and grab money from them. Instagram scams come in various forms, and the most common types are as follows:

1. Phishing Messages

Phishing messages are among the top Instagram scams. The scammer sends you a message by setting up a fake account and pretends to be from some legitimate organization. The scammer lures you into clicking on the link sent in a message. Soon as you click on the link, it will either take you to phishing websites asking you for your details or download malware on your device.

For example, soon after the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, scammers used the queen’s identity to send phishing messages to people. UberFacts, on their Twitter account, posted a screenshot where it received a message from the Queen. She claimed that she was still alive and asked to send $300 via the cash app so she could get back.

The scammer added a Tea and Biscuit message with the Union Jack flag to look more authentic. Most people detected it as a phishing message and thus avoided responding. Moreover, people have reported that they have been receiving emails from hackers. They pose themself as someone from Instagram and inform them about verifying their accounts to get a blue badge. 

2. Instagram Ads Scam

Instagram is a free platform; it relies on advertisements for monetization. Many ads are submitted for review; this makes it difficult for the company to keep a check and balance on all ads. Fraudsters promote malware-embedded links, fake products, and services and steal money from them. For example, a guy revealed how Instagram ads fooled customers. After seeing its ads on the Instagram feed, he ordered a drone. But when the product arrived, it was not what was shown in the ad, and they charged him double its actual price. 

3. Bitcoin Instagram Scam

The bitcoin scam is the latest type of scam in which the scammer lures you to earn money by making some initial investment. The scammer tricks you into paying a small investment through bitcoin to earn big rewards. Once you have made the bitcoin investment, the scammer disappears with your money and never appears again. People have reported losing $80 million in cryptocurrency investment scams.

4. Buying Followers and Likes Scam

It is also among the top Instagram scams targeting influencers and businesses. In this scam, scammers offer influencers and businesses more likes and followers at a good price to boost their accounts. But once they get their money, they vanish, leaving you behind to regret your mistake. For example, Instagram link-building experts offer different pricing packages to increase followers. But their promises are undelivered after receiving the money.

5. Fake Brand Collaboration Scams

The influencers market is booming on Instagram. They all want to use their popularity to grab deals and PR packages from the brands. Some scammers take advantage of this and target influencers by impersonating them from a renowned brand. The scammers’ message and show interest in collaborating with them to promote their business. Also, the fraudsters reach out to potential targets with profitable deals. The influencers become fools and provide their bank details to receive the payment, but instead, their bank account.

6. Giveaway Scams

Giveaways are pretty common on Instagram. The influencers arrange sponsored giveaways for a limited time. During this, brands give free products and services to the lucky draw winners. The followers can win laptops, designer clothes, and gift vouchers through the giveaway opportunity. But, most Instagram influencers are involved in fraudulent activities. The malicious actors use the information for illegal purposes. Also, 45% of Instagram influencers’ accounts are fake, yet they pretend to look like trusted influencers. They fool you by informing you that you have won a prize. But to claim, you must log in to a bogus site, pay the shipping fee or provide your details.

7. Fake Job Scams

Job scams are usually done for identity theft purposes. The scammers promote a job opportunity that doesn’t exist in reality. The users start seeing stories and posts of some high-paying job opportunities. But to apply for the job, the user has to submit their personal data. This includes a phone number, social security number, or home address, where scammers steal their identity. After obtaining the data, the fraudster opens credit accounts in your name or breaks into your credit card to drain your bank accounts. 

8. Paid Subscription Scams

In this type of Instagram scam, a user usually sees promotion for a free trial of service. To avail of the trial, they must enter their credit card information and agree to the terms and conditions. The fraudster uses the target’s credit card details for an unauthorized subscription. An example of such a scam is seeing a featured ad about ‘Free Trial Membership.’ But upon clicking on it to find more, you’ve redirected to another site that asks for your credit card details to avail of the service. 

9 Fake Courses Scams

Many people have even wasted money on fake or worthless workshops or courses aspiring bloggers and influencers offer. It’s a tactic used by scammers who impersonate experts and provide fee-based crash courses to train people. They lure the people who can get unlimited access to their resource material after paying the fee. But once they receive the fee, they vanish, or in some cases, the course content is unsatisfactory, leaving the participants disappointed. 

Signs to Spot Instagram scams

To prevent Instagram scams, one must know how to detect them. Here are some of the red flags that scammers use that hint to you about the Instagram scams:

• Sends messages with suspicious links.
• Asks for money.
• Claim that you have won a prize
• Try to convince you to share your personal details.
• The user has more followers, but only a few follow them back. 
• The messages you receive are full of grammatical and spelling mistakes. 
• Someone is offering great discounts on luxury items.
• A stranger convinces you to respond to a message or click the link sent. 
• Despite having an unverified Instagram account, the scammer claims to be part of some large organization. 
• The scammers lie about their actual location. 
• An account was created a few days ago and posted multiple photos to look convincing and authentic. 

If you caught an Instagram scammer doing any of the activities mentioned above, immediately block and report the user before it’s too late. 

How to Protect yourself against Instagram Scams

Identifying Instagram scams is helpful, but it won’t completely protect you against them. There are some best practices you can adopt to prevent Instagram scams:

Use Strong Passwords

Using a strong password is vital to prevent Instagram scams. A weak password allows hackers to break into your account and compromise sensitive data. Thus, it’s crucial to use a strong password for your account. The password must be long, complex, and difficult to crack. Use the best password managers if you can’t create or remember strong passwords for your account. They help generate strong and complex passwords and store them in a secure location so no one can access them. 

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Implementing two-factor authentication is another best way to avoid Instagram scams. It allows a secondary checkpoint for account logins after entering the passwords. When this security feature is enabled and if someone login into your account from an unauthorized device, you’re first notified about this suspicious activity. You’re asked to verify your identity through an authentication code sent via text message or email. 

To enable Two-factor authentication on Instagram; 

Head to Instagram main menu > Settings > Security > 2FA > Select Started > Choose your Security method

Follow the rest steps that appear on your screen and prevent unwanted access to your account. 

Keep Your Account Private

Allowing everyone to view your profile and photos on Instagram is risky as this increases the chances of getting exposed to scammers. Thus, change your default privacy settings status to private. Only your followers and friends can see your posts and stories, comment, and send direct messages. 

To change your Instagram account setting, Go to menu > Settings > Privacy > tap on Private account mode.

But, this option won’t be available if you run a business account. 

Beware of Direct Messages

If you receive a message from an unknown user that asks for your details or urges you to click on a link, don’t fall for an easy victim. These are usually scammers that want to trick you so they can access your data or account. Be cautious while engaging with these unsolicited messages. Don’t reply to them immediately; first, check their profiles to look for signs of a scam. 

Moreover, read the messages to spot the signs of a phishing attack. If someone you know sends you a URL but is out of character, look into its origin. Check details like when the account was created and whether it is verified or not. If you doubt the DM you receive is a scam, report it to Instagram and block the user account. 

Be Careful With Third-Party Apps

The third-party apps connected to your Instagram account can threaten your Instagram security. These apps allow you to share pictures from one platform to the other. But during this process, they also harvest your data and personal information, which is concerning. Keeping track of third-party apps helps to prevent Instagram scams. Review these apps at regular intervals and if you find any suspicious or unknown app that you haven’t connected to, remove it immediately. 

To review the third-party apps, go to the main menu > Settings > Security > Apps and websites. From here, you can add or remove any app that you find suspicious or no longer wants to use. 

Always Buy Products From Verified Profile

Many use Instagram to buy various products but fall victim to scammers. Always buy from verified profiles or business accounts. You can check this by looking for the small blue tick on that account. Besides this, check the seller’s profile, and look for followers’ numbers and user engagement. You can also ask for user reviews on Instagram or Facebook before making a final decision. 

Keep a Check on Your Login Activity

Keeping a check on your login activity also helps prevent you from becoming a victim of Instagram scams. Sometimes a scammer isn’t in your location. Reviewing your login activity lets you know who attempts to access your account and prevents damage. 

To review your login activity, go to Instagram menu > Settings > Security > Login Activity. If you see any suspicious location, immediately disconnect it by clicking on logout.

What to do if you experienced an Instagram Scam

Despite taking security measures, anyone can become a target of Instagram scams. If you’re also the victim of any of these scams, then you need to exercise the following things soon: 

• Changing your password is the first thing you need to do if you’re being scammed. Hackers who have their hands on your password can compromise all other accounts. If you use the same password on multiple accounts, change your password on all sensitive accounts. 
• If you’re being scammed, then report to Instagram. Each Instagram page displays a Report option; you can do it yourself and encourage other users to do the same. The more people report the scammer, the more quickly Instagram will notice it. 
• If scammers have access to your credit card, they can use it for malicious purposes. Like they can make transactions, sign up for a service, or create a new bank account using your fake identity. Contact your bank and inform them about the scam so they can block or recover any further transactions and freeze your credit card. 
• The scammer may attempt to target your other friends and followers. Do warn them by posting a story and tell them not to respond to any message they receive by your name.

Following these extra measures can reduce the chances of being scammed on Instagram, so don’t overlook them.

Final thoughts

 Instagram scams are increasing, and so does the concern to avoid these scams. But to prevent them, you must first know how to recognize the frauds. Look for common signs like unverified accounts, shady profiles, and urgent messages to respond. 

 You can adopt various practices to prevent these scams, such as setting a strong password for your account, reviewing login activities and third-party apps, and beware of phishing attempts. With these practices, you can prevent Instagram scams and enjoy a smooth and secure user experience on the app.  

The post 9 Top Instagram Scams and How to Stay Protected Against Them? appeared first on BeEncrypted.

Also, your browsing experience could be enhanced by restricting things such as pop-up ads, which are generated through your activity tracking. Also, the fluctuating privacy rules of the website are unknown to most people, and they remain unaware of their exposed account details.

Here we have discussed the essential Facebook privacy settings which shouldn’t be ignored. These privacy settings could take up your account privacy to an almost unbreakable level.

Your mobile contacts could have been uploaded to Facebook without your knowledge – Check it!

Most of you must be unaware that Facebook could automatically extract all of your phone contacts, including their names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Facebook uses these contacts to create contact suggestions for others. But, you as a Facebook user, could be at risk if your contacts are confidential sources.

Since you have joined Facebook, there must be hundreds of contacts that could be uploaded, which you can view here. On this page, you can see a “Delete All” option that could be used to clear all the contacts which were previously taken from your account. However, Facebook will update the contacts from your phone’s contact list until you disable contact upload from the settings.

To prevent future automatic updates, you should head to the Facebook page and go to the menu option present at the bottom right of the page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Privacy shortcuts.” Then go to “More Settings” and tap the “General” option. Finally, go to the “Upload contacts” and disable it.

You can manage the uploaded contacts from this Facebook page.

Create Login Alerts for your Facebook Account

Login alerts are an efficient technique to track an illegitimate login attempt made by a person other than you. When this option is enabled, you get a notification through email or text message if someone has logged in from a device or browser that is previously unsaved.

To enable login alerts, go to the settings from your Facebook account, then click on the “Security and Login” option. Scroll down and tap on “Get alerts about the unrecognized logins.” Finally, enable the option of “Get notification” and add your email address to the option “email login address to” along with allowing it.

However, an option of “Two-factor authentication” given below could add loads of security to your Facebook account. Enabling this will restrict your account login from an unregistered browser or device until you enter the logging code sent as a text message or email.

Check Your Phone Apps Connected to Facebook

Many apps on your mobile phone are those to whom you share the personal information that you want to keep confidential. However, sometimes the apps having access to your Facebook account have permission to share your activities with your friends or even the general public.

You can review and manage Facebook-connected apps through a simple step. Head on to the settings and then tap on the “Apps” option on the left-hand side. The page will display the apps you have been using over a long period and have access to your account. Each app has an icon that indicates the nature of the app’s connection to your Facebook account. To change the audience of an app, you could click the “Edit” option given at the side of each app.

You can select from various options according to your privacy requirements and need. However, an illegitimate, previous, or unknown app that is not part of your phone should be removed.

Review Your Account details which are publicly displayed

Through a simple step, you could check all of your account details, such as posts, contact information, and other details updated on the “About” section that can be viewed by individuals not in your friend list. Facebook users customize their audience for each post and detail most of the time. However, it’s always recommended to double-check your Facebook account and the details exposed to everyone.

To review your account as an unknown person, go to your profile and click the icon denoted by three dots at the bottom right of your cover photo. Now, tap the option “View as…” which will take you to your account as an unknown individual. Therefore, the account details you will be able to view are the publicly open ones.

You should take an intense look at all the details in the settings section, especially the “Contact and basic info” section. Whereas, to change any setting detail, Go back to your profile and manage the details by hitting the “Edit” option along with everything.

Stop Intrusive Ads by Restricting Facebook from Sharing your Preferences with Other Sites

In June 2016, Facebook initiated a way to launch personalized ads across the web to every individual, including those not connected to Facebook. These ads are also generated on apps and websites other than Facebook. However, you can restrict such invasive ads based on your personal preferences by disabling the option.

You can change the settings by visiting this page and hitting the “Yes” option displayed at the bottom of the “Ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook” section. Now select the “No” option to restrict the intrusive ads.

Along with all these necessary Facebook account check-ups, you must go through other settings details of your account.

The post Facebook Privacy Settings: You Shouldn’t Ignore appeared first on BeEncrypted.