How to Avoid Instagram Scams

Online scams are on the rise, and everyone with a social media account is at risk. We already dived deep into Increasing UPI Frauds in India a while ago, and now there are increasing Instagram scams as well. By understanding these scams, Instagram users can safeguard themselves from monetary and other losses. 

Today, we will discuss Instagram scams, their types, and how you can safeguard yourself against them. So make sure that you read the entire blog. 

Understanding Instagram Scams

Instagram is a global platform with millions of users from all over the world. With such a diverse user base, it has become a common spot for scammers to target vulnerable users who use Instagram as a leisure social media activity. First of all, we will look at some of the common Instagram scams and how they take place. This will give the users some basic ideas and help them avoid Instagram scams. Here are the common Instagram scams:

Influencer Scams

In this type of scam, the scammers create a fake Instagram influencer with a fake following. They generate fake engagement and then promote fake products or services that don’t exist in the first place. Usually, this involves the Instagram page linking a shopping site with products or services. Once the user trusts the influencer, he goes to the site and buys something through online payment. The next thing you know is that the product does not exist, and the money is lost. 

Phishing Scams

Another common type of scams are phishing scams. These scams involve fraudulent messages or fake login pages designed to steal your account credentials. Example: A DM claiming suspicious activity on your account with a link to “verify your identity.”

For example, the above is a scammer’s Instagram profile claiming to be from Instagram security. But how do I know it’s a scam? First of all, the account is poorly maintained. It has no information about the user. Second, it has no activity, zero posts, followers, or following. A good rule of thumb is to avoid such accounts.

Giveaway Scams

A recent rising scam is the giveaway scam. In this type of scam, the scammers promise prizes like cash, gadgets, or gift cards to lure victims. They might ask for fees or personal details to claim your “reward.” Once you make the payment, they deactivate the account and disappear. 

For example, you might find a poster on someone’s account like the above. The minute you follow the account, they will start asking for personal details and fees, so it is better to avoid them.

However, giveaways aren’t always fake. Many businesses and creators collaborate for giveaways and distribute exciting rewards. However, they generally do not ask you for account access, fees, or any other personal details.

Impersonation Scams

Another oldest trick in the book is impersonation scams. In such scams, fake profiles mimic celebrities, brands, or even people you know. Common signs include asking for money, investments, or personal information. Again, the goal is to take money and disappear. 

Fake Job Scams

These are usually targeted at users with a good following. The scams involve fraudulent offers for modeling gigs, brand collaborations, or remote jobs. Often, they ask for upfront payments for training or equipment. Once you make the payment, it’s the same old. 

Sponsorships Scams

Just like fake job scams, there are fake accounts that impersonate a big brand and approach you. They tell you that you are being selected for a sponsorship from their brand. Again, they usually target people with a big following. They either ask for money to process the application or ask for the login credentials to control the content. In either case, you as a victim lose substantially. 

For instance, look at the above two DM requests. They are pretty much the same, as they both talk about getting featured somewhere professional. But if you visit their profiles, you will find that these accounts were created recently and have no actual followers or following. Entertaining such DMs is not a good way to go.

Blackmail 

Another very ugly and common scam is blackmail. In this, the person will talk to you and might ask for compromising information such as nude photos, videos, etc. Once they obtain it, they threaten you and ask for money. It can be really damaging to your personal life and can have a serious impact. 

Romance Scams

In this type of scam, the scammer builds up trust over time and then starts asking you for monetary favors and gifts under pretenses. They might even commit to marriage and other things. 

Followers Scams

Another common scam is when scammers approach you and tell you that they can increase your followers. They will send you a quotation that is quite elaborate and compelling. Then they ask you for the login credentials for your Instagram account. Once they have your account information, they hijack the account and you lose access for good. 

Investment Scams

Scammers DM you with “opportunities” to invest in crypto, stocks, or other financial schemes. Unrealistic guarantees of massive returns are a telltale sign of these scams.

These are just a few examples of different types of scams that are taking place on Instagram.

Identifying Instagram Scams 

While there are many types of Instagram scams, they all have some things in common and you can easily identify them. Here are some common red flags that you can’t miss: 

• You get a follow from someone you do not recognize at all and they don’t have any followers or following. 
• Someone you don’t know requests for your details. 
• Someone unknown asks you to click on a link. 
• Someone claims that they are from Instagram security and want your login info.
• Accounts with incomplete profiles. 
• Messages with poor grammar or spelling.
• Links that direct you to external websites asking for personal information.
• Unbelievable offers like “Earn $500 in an hour!”
• Accounts asking you to claim a prize.  

Scammers also use some tactics that are common: 

• Creating urgency, such as “Act now, or you’ll lose access to your account.”
• Gaining trust by impersonating someone you know or admire.
• Offering deals or prizes that seem too good to be true.

How to Avoid Instagram Scams

Now that you know what Instagram scams are and how they work, it is quite simple to avoid them. Here are some tips that you must follow to avoid Instagram scams: 

• Always have a strong and unique password and change it every now and then.
• Enable and use two-factor authentication(2FA).
• Do not use a login link through a message received by anyone.
• Never click on any links sent by unknown people on Instagram.
• Do not provide your login information to anyone.
• Do not transfer any money to people who are claiming to give you something.
• If someone you know messages you something strange, contact them directly first. 
• Reach out to official accounts before you respond to a message. 
• Research about sellers on Instagram before making a purchase. 
• Check login activity periodically. 
• Do not give any access to third-party apps to your Instagram account. 
• Always keep in mind, that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 
• If you are unsure whether an account is authentic or not, go to their profile and click ‘About this Account’. Instagram will show you when the user joined the platform, where they are, if they are running any ads, if they have changed their username, and if they have accounts with shared followers. 

Wrapping Up

So that is all about how to avoid Instagram scams. The problem is that there are too many of them. However, they all have some common telltale signs that will help you identify the scams. It is always a good practice to be mindful and do your own research. Keeping your Instagram account secure is vital as it has a lot of personal and public data. So make sure you follow this guide and safeguard yourself against any Instagram scams. 

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