10 Biggest Scams On Instagram You Should Be Aware Of

Scammers are everywhere, and with the rise of social media, platforms like Instagram are no exception. With the platform being one of the most popular in the world, it’s no surprise that scammers have taken advantage of its over 1.628 billion users.

Hence, if you’re an IG user, you need to be aware of the potential scams that are out there. Even though it is a great platform for sharing photos and connecting with friends, it’s also a place where fraudulent activity can take place. From fake giveaways to celebrity endorsements, there are a number of cons to watch out for. 

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the 10 biggest scams on Instagram that you should be aware of. We’ll go over the different types, what they look like, and how to avoid them. Understanding them can help protect you and your loved ones.

Let’s get started!

1) Fake Giveaways

Fake giveaways are designed to lure you in with promises of free products or cash prizes. However, in order to enter, you’ll have to give out your personal information, such as your name, email address, phone number, or even social security number. 

Once scammers have this information, they may use it for identity theft or sell it to third-party companies. It’s important to be cautious of these giveaways and to only enter ones that are from verified and trusted accounts. Always read the fine print and research the account offering the giveaway before providing any personal information.

2) Impersonation Scams

Scammers create fake accounts using the names and images of real people. They then use these accounts to message users and request personal information or money. Some are more subtle, with scammers claiming to be a friend or family member needing financial help. 

Always double-check the account’s username and profile information before giving out any personal information or money.

3) Investment Scams

Investment scams on IG lure users with promises of high returns on their investments. Scammers use fake profiles to promote their fraudulent investment schemes. They ask users to invest their money and promise huge returns in a short amount of time. 

However, once users send their money, malicious actors disappear with their funds, leaving victims with no way to recover their losses. 

Always be wary of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true, and do thorough research before making any investment decisions.

4) Fake Product Ads

In fake product ad frauds, malicious actors create ads for products that they claim are high-quality and effective. In reality, the products do not exist or are of low quality. The scammer then collects payment from unsuspecting customers who believe they are buying a legitimate product. 

To avoid falling for this scam, do your research before making a purchase and look for reviews from other customers. Always shop from reputable retailers and report any suspicious ads to Instagram.

5) Phishing Scams

These are a common way for scammers to gain access to users’ personal and financial information through Instagram. They often involve an official-looking direct message asking the recipient to click on a link or enter their login details or credit card information. 

These messages can be very convincing, using logos and graphics that appear to be from legitimate companies. Always double-check the source of any message before entering any personal information, and never click on links from untrusted sources.

6) Fake Followers and Engagement

One of the most prevalent frauds on IG involves fake followers and engagement. Some users might buy followers to boost their numbers and appear more popular, while others use bots or automation tools to inflate their engagement rates artificially.

While this may seem like a harmless tactic to increase your visibility and reach, it’s actually quite detrimental to your credibility. Brands and other users can easily spot fake followers and engagement, damaging your reputation and potentially harming your business relationships.

Moreover, Instagram has been cracking down on fake followers and engagement, and violating their terms of service could lead to account suspension or even termination. Instead, focus on organically growing your following through quality content and genuine interaction with your audience.

7) Fake Branded Accounts Scams

Fake branded accounts scam involves fraudsters creating accounts that look like they belong to popular brands and tricking users into following or purchasing products from them. They may use similar usernames and logos to the existing brand and offer enticing deals or promotions to lure victims. 

Always verify the authenticity of an account before engaging with it or making any purchases. Legitimate brands will typically have a verified account badge or a high follower count.

8) Money-Flipping Scams

Money-flipping scams involve someone promising to multiply your money in a short amount of time. This is usually done by asking you to invest a certain amount and then promising to return it with additional funds within a short period. 

Unfortunately, this is a common trick on Instagram, and victims have reported losing thousands of dollars to scammers. Don’t fall for money-flippers; always research before investing any money.

9) Pyramid Schemes

Pyramid schemes are one of the biggest cons of the picture-sharing platform, promising high returns with little effort. 

These schemes typically require participants to recruit new members and pay fees to join. However, the only way to make money is by recruiting more members, and the scheme eventually collapses when it becomes too difficult to recruit new participants. 

It’s important to remember that pyramid schemes are illegal and can result in serious financial consequences.

10) Fake Influencer Scams

With the rise of influencer marketing, scammers have found a way to exploit it by creating fake influencer accounts. They use fake followers and engagement to trick brands into working with them.

These fake influencers often promise a high return on investment, but in reality, they have no real influence over their followers. They may also use bots to inflate their engagement metrics.

If you’re unsure about an influencer’s authenticity, ask for their phone number and reverse search it on Nuwber. It will provide you with all the necessary information about a person, and you will know exactly who you’re dealing with. 

If you’re an influencer yourself, it’s essential to build a real and engaged audience and avoid using fake followers and engagement tactics. Trust and authenticity are crucial in influencer marketing, and any deception can ruin your reputation and career. 

Final Thoughts

It’s important to stay vigilant while scrolling through Instagram, as there are many fraudsters out there trying to take advantage of users. From fake giveaways to fake influencer scams, it’s crucial to always double-check and do your research before engaging with anyone on the platform. 

Stay vigilant and use this guide as a reference to avoid being taken advantage of. Happy Instagramming!