Social Media Scams

🔍 How It Works

Scammers create fake profiles, fake ads, and fake marketplace listings on social media. They may impersonate friends whose accounts were hacked, promote fake products, or send links to phishing websites through direct messages.

📝 Real Examples

• •A friend messages you on Facebook: 'Is this you in this video?' with a link — their account was hacked.
• •A Facebook Marketplace deal asks you to pay with Zelle before seeing the item.
• •An Instagram ad promotes a 'limited time' product from a store that doesn't exist.

⚠️ Warning Signs

• •Messages from friends that seem unusual
• •Deals that are too good to be true
• •Links in direct messages
• •New friend requests from people you already know
• •Requests to pay outside the platform

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself

• •Don't click links in unexpected messages, even from friends
• •Call your friend to verify if they really sent a message
• •Only buy from established sellers with reviews
• •Use the platform's secure payment when available

📋 What To Do If It Happens

• •Don't click suspicious links
• •Tell your friend their account may be hacked
• •Report fake profiles and ads to the platform
• •If you paid, contact your bank immediately

📞 Where to Report

• •The social media platform's report feature
• •FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• •FBI IC3: ic3.gov