Social media may keep us connected, but it’s also become one of the fastest-growing tools for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), social media scams led to over $2.7 billion in reported losses from 2021 to 2023—and the numbers are rising rapidly. Whether it’s a fake job offer on LinkedIn, a phishing link in an Instagram DM, or a Facebook romance scam, cybercriminals are exploiting our online presence in increasingly sophisticated ways.

If you’re active online, understanding how scammers target you—and how to stop them—is crucial.

How Social Media Scams Work

Scammers use a wide range of schemes to deceive social media users, including:

• Phishing Links: You get a message from what looks like a friend or trusted brand asking you to click a link. That link leads to a fake login page or downloads malware to your device.
• Romance Scams: Scammers create fake profiles, develop a relationship with you, and then start asking for money. According to the FTC, these scams are among the costliest, especially for older adults.
• Investment Scams: Popular on Instagram and TikTok, these scams promise big returns on crypto or stocks. Victims are told to send money or cryptocurrency, but never see it again.
• Giveaway or Prize Scams: You’re told you’ve won a contest, but first you must provide your personal info or pay a “processing fee.”
• Impersonation Scams: Scammers clone accounts of friends, family, or even customer service agents, then reach out to you pretending to be someone you know.
• Fake Job Offers: Especially prevalent on LinkedIn and Facebook, these scams offer remote jobs with high pay. Once you apply, you’re asked to share banking details or pay for training.

These scams happen quickly, often in private messages or comments, and are designed to catch you off guard.

How Scammers Gather Your Information

One reason scammers are so successful on social media is because of how much information people share—often without realizing it.

• Public Profiles: A quick scan of your public posts, photos, likes, or check-ins can reveal where you live, where you work, your birthday, or even your mother’s maiden name—perfect clues for answering security questions.
• Tagged Photos and Comments: Scammers use comments, shared images, or even your pet’s name to impersonate you or gain trust with others.
• Likes and Follows: By analyzing the brands and influencers you follow, scammers can customize phishing attempts to mirror your interests.
• Data Brokers: Scammers also buy your information from data brokers, which collect and sell online behaviors, email addresses, phone numbers, and more.

All this information helps them craft convincing messages, impersonate your friends or family, or even create a fake version of your profile.

Real-Life Scenarios

• Facebook Romance Scam: In 2023, a 62-year-old woman from Ohio lost over $100,000 after falling for a scammer who pretended to be a U.S. soldier stationed overseas. They met on Facebook, chatted daily, and he eventually convinced her to send money for a fake emergency.
• Instagram Crypto Scam: A college student shared his crypto interest publicly and was contacted by an “investor” who turned out to be a scammer. He sent $2,500, expecting it to grow—but the “broker” disappeared.
• LinkedIn Job Fraud: A job seeker received a convincing offer from a fake recruiter on LinkedIn, complete with an interview and paperwork. She submitted her personal info, which was later used to open credit accounts in her name.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to stop using social media—you just need to use it wisely. Here are steps to protect yourself:

1. Lock Down Your Privacy Settings

Make your profiles private so strangers can’t see your personal information. Limit who can send you friend requests or messages.

2. Avoid Oversharing

Think twice before posting vacation plans, your full birthday, or details about your kids. The less you share publicly, the harder it is for scammers to build a profile of you.

3. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of ID, like a code sent to your phone.

4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Avoid using the same password across sites. Use a password manager to store them securely.

5. Verify Messages and Requests

Even if a message seems to come from a friend or company, double-check before clicking. Call or text the person directly to confirm.

6. Report Suspicious Activity

Most platforms let you report fake accounts or scam messages. Do it right away to help others stay safe.

7. Review Your Followers/Friends List

Remove anyone you don’t recognize. Scammers often lurk quietly before making a move.

8. Think Before You Click

Be skeptical of links or attachments from unknown senders. Scammers rely on impulsive clicks.

9. Monitor Your Accounts

Regularly check your bank statements and credit report for unfamiliar activity.

10. Get Professional Help

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, especially if you’ve already been targeted.

iDefend Can Help You Stay One Step Ahead

Social media isn’t going away, and neither are the scammers. But you don’t have to face them alone. iDefend helps protect your digital life by:

• Monitoring for exposed personal data
• Removing your information from data broker websites
• Offering real-time alerts for suspicious activity
• Giving you access to expert privacy and identity protection advisors

With iDefend’s Privacy Protection Plan, you can enjoy your social media accounts with peace of mind—knowing you’ve taken smart steps to protect yourself.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take control of your digital safety today with iDefend. Try iDefend risk free for 14 days now!