Social networks are very useful as they allow you to be connected with friends, family and even promote products. However, many of the users of these networks are vulnerable to being scammed by unscrupulous people who use these platforms to deceive. Therefore, in this post we will teach you how to avoid scams on Instagram and avoid being cheated .
What are the most common scams on Instagram?
Scams on Instagram happen when unscrupulous people create fake accounts or hack into your account or accounts that you follow, to deceive you or your followers; in order to obtain personal data or money.
Here are some of the most common scams:
- In your Instagram account, you can receive messages or advertisements from people you don’t know, who ask you to send money or gift cards to help a sick person. Or they may ask you for money in exchange for prizes or a job application.
- There are hackers who pose as Instagram security personnel to obtain your personal data.
- It may be the case of people who ask you to follow conversations by means other than Instagram. Then, these malicious people send you to a platform created to steal your personal information.
- A situation that has been widely used and has been very successful by scammers is sending Instagram users a contest and prize claims where they request personal information.
- Adults who pose as children to attract the attention of children and young people who use this social network. It is one of the many dangers of social networks .
- There are also scammers (men and women) who claim to be looking for a partner or friends to trap lonely people. So they talk weeks with the person they want to dupe to gain their trust.
- Another widely used method is phishing. With this, the attacker clones a page, making the user believe that they are on the official page of a bank, for example. If you are more interested in the topic, learn what Phishing is and how to prevent it .
- Fake profiles that send you an invitation or start following you to violate your security and thus obtain information from your profile.
- Fake news , when you click to read that news it will immediately guide you to sites controlled by cybercriminals.
- Scams related to fake loans or investments are very common.
How to avoid scams on Instagram?
- If you detect a suspicious situation in your Instagram account (it can be a publication, a profile or an advertisement); do not respond and report the situation immediately to Instagram.
- Avoid transactions with people you don’t know .
- Create and use strong and complex passwords . We also recommend changing them regularly. Avoid using the same password in all online services and do not give your personal data to third parties.
- Never leave your Instagram account open on public PCs or on a friend’s mobile.
- Never pay anything in advance , because your money will be lost.
- Activate two-step authentication for Instagram . That way, even if an intruder has your username and password, they will not be able to access your account.
- If you are going to use third party applications, make sure it is reliable and download it from a reputable site like Google Play.
- Control the use that your children give to this social network.
- Avoid giving your personal data through links that come to you by mail.
- If you get an offer on Instagram, look for information on the internet about the company or the product.
- Never click right away. Think with a cool head and consult a friend.
- If you get a great-looking money offer or promotion from an acquaintance, contact them via text message, call, or video call to confirm that the proposal is really real and not from a scammer.
- Do not rely blindly on offers of free trials .
- Instagram will never ask you for additional information that you entered when you joined this platform.
- Don’t trust all bargain-looking offers or advertising.
Be cautious and avoid falling for deceptive offers from people who use the Instagram platform to deceive innocent and unsuspecting people. Follow these tips and avoid scams on Instagram.
