It’s more common than ever to encounter scammers online. Wherever you go, whatever you do, it’s important to be educated on the signs of fraud so you can stop yourself from becoming their next victim. Continue reading to learn more about common scams we’ve seen on social media.

Scenario #1: “Hi Beautiful, I saw your profile and would love if you sent me a message.”

Ever had a stranger reach out to you on Facebook, whether through Messenger or someone else’s posts?  There could be strangers out there that genuinely want to get to know you, but it’s likely a scammer.

Romance scammers research profiles online, targeting those that may be part of specific social groups, such as widowers, older individuals, or those with disabilities that may be more isolated than others. They prey on people’s need for social connection to develop a relationship with their target. They may be overly friendly and complimentary until they gain your trust.

Once this happens, they will push you to give money or other personal information, all while conveniently being unavailable for in-person visits or calls. They’ll make it seem like a believable situation: they’re stuck in another country and need money to visit you. Their son needs emergency surgery. They lost all their money to a scammer. These are all designed to pull on your heartstrings so that you give them more money.

Always approach new friend requests with caution. Look at their profiles to see if they have many photos or friends. Check that none of the images could be AI generated. If the account looks newly created, that’s a red flag. Never accept friend requests or respond to messages from people you don’t truly know.

Scenario #2: “Is this you?" (Often Includes Link to a Video)

Ever had one of your social media friends (or even a stranger) reach out to you with a link that could be to a picture or video? Ever been tempted to click on it? Don’t do it, it could be a scammer.

Many scammers take advantage of your curiosity to get you to click on malicious links. These links are dangerous as they can allow scammers access to your device and personal information. If you receive a message similar to the one above, you should always approach it with caution. Is the message from a friend you talk to regularly or did it come out of the blue? Does the link look weird or have typos in it? Try asking your friend a question only they would know the answer to as a way to verify their identity.

Scenario #3: “Click the link to register for your FREE Gucci handbag.”

Ever seen an ad for a giveaway or contest that felt too good to be true? It’s likely a scammer. Many scammers can create genuine looking ads or business pages that trick people into giving away their credit card information.

If an expensive item is being advertised almost for free or they’re advertising the sale for a very limited time (think several hours or minutes), it’s likely a ploy by scammers to get you to act quickly without thinking. Always investigate ads like these and the links they take you to. Don’t click on anything until you have verified it is legitimate. Never buy anything from a website that is not https: (with the lock symbol). 

Scenario #4: “Hi ___, I’m currently out of the country and lost my wallet. Can you wire me some cash?”

If you receive a message from a friend, family member, or even a celebrity that seems out of character, it could be a scammer. Many scammers rip off photos from people’s social media accounts to pretend to be them and gain information from that person’s friends and family online. If one of your close contacts or a celebrity reaches out to you asking you to wire money or hand over your bank details, it’s likely a scammer and you should remain cautious. Never give out your personal details until you have confirmed the person is who they say they are. Remember: most celebrities would not reach out to random individuals asking for money. If it’s a friend or family member, try an alternative contact method to confirm they really need help. 

Scenario #5: “My father has recently died, and we need to get rid of his assets quickly as we need to move by the end of the month. All items listed are for sale, you can send deposits to me."

Ever seen a post like this on Facebook Marketplace? It could be a scammer. They will take over someone’s account and then create fake scenarios like a family death or a sudden move to encourage people to give them money. Once the money is sent, it usually can’t be traced back or recovered, especially if they requested it to be wired or sent through gift cards/cryptocurrency. The scammer takes advantage of the emotions behind a death in the family and the urgency of moving to get people to act quickly.

If you ever see a post like this, verify the details of the post. Has someone in their family actually died? Did they truly own any of these items? Do the pictures look like they’re of that person’s home or property? You can reverse Google search an image to see where else it shows up online, so if a scammer has used those images before, you should be able to find them elsewhere and prove it’s a scam. Does the payment plan make sense? If you have an alternative contact method for that person, use that to confirm if it’s really them. 

Scenario #6: “Watch the accident here: (Often Includes a Video Link)”

Ever seen comments on a news story or a friend’s post, mentioning footage of an accident? It could be a scammer using malicious links to get you to give up your information. Scammers will comb social media for mentions of disasters, tragedies, or accidents where individuals have gotten hurt or even passed away. They will take advantage of people’s curiosity to post malicious links for victims to click on. Once you click on that link, the scammers can gain access to your device and personal information.

Stay safe: don’t click on any links that do not come directly from a verified news source. Report any comments like these to the social media site so that they are recognized as a scam attempt. 

Scenario #7: “Hey ____, I saw your profile and thought you would be a perfect fit for this job I’m hiring for. All we need is your SSN and direct deposit details and you can start right away!”

Ever been approached about a job offer that sounded too good to be true? It’s probably a scam. Many scammers take advantage of the current job market to target job seekers. If someone reaches out to you with details of a job that pays too well and requires little to no skills, that’s a red flag. If they tell you that you can start right away without an interview, once you provide your bank details for training or uniform costs, it’s a red flag. No legitimate company will offer a job without going through some kind of interview and vetting process for their employees. It may be tempting to accept such a great sounding offer, but it will only cause you more trouble in the long run. 

Scenario #8: All About Me: 20 questions - What was your family pet’s name growing up? What street did you live on as a kid? What was your first car?

If you’ve ever seen these posts, don’t fill them out yourself. It may be tempting to join the fun, but they contain many questions that are common security questions for various companies. Scammers comb the internet for these kinds of posts and make a database of information to use against you. Play it safe, keep as much personal information off the internet as possible.  

Scenario #9: “Hi ___, I’m looking to bless 10 individuals today with the investment opportunity of a lifetime. My life has been changed forever due to Monica Zliensky’s cryptocurrency expertise. Want to join me in my success?”

Ever had a random stranger reach out to you about an investment opportunity? It could be a scammer. Don’t let too good to be true deals suck you into a scam. When a stranger reaches out to you, question everything. Why would they want to tell you about this deal? What do they stand to gain from you buying in to the deal? Are they getting pushy with you when you won’t commit to the investment opportunity? These are all signs that a scammer is in play.

Scammers will stop at nothing to get your hard-earned cash. Don’t make it easy for them. When you’re online, always do your research. Never believe that someone is who they say they are. Don’t respond to messages or friend requests from strangers and make sure that your personal information is not posted. Always set your social media accounts to private or accessible to friends only. With your vigilance, you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from becoming the next fraud victim. If you ever wonder whether a message or information you’ve encountered is a scam, you can always reach out to your local Availa banker for help or a second opinion.