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Identity Theft & Impersonations
Identity Theft & Impersonations
One of the most common threats on social media is identity theft, where scammers replicate your personal profile - including your photos, name and bio - to create fake accounts. These impersonators then contact your friends or followers, pretending to be you, often requestion money, login codes, or personal information under false act. They may also impersonate brands or public figures to build false credibility.
One of the most common threats on social media is identity theft, where scammers replicate your personal profile - including your photos, name and bio - to create fake accounts. These impersonators then contact your friends or followers, pretending to be you, often requestion money, login codes, or personal information under false act. They may also impersonate brands or public figures to build false credibility.
Warning Signs include:
Warning Signs include:
- Duplicate friend or followers requests
- Urgent messages asking for financial help or access codes
- Pressure to respond quickly
Falling victim to such scams can lead to compromised accounts, loss of privacy, reputational damage, and even financial loss for you o your contacts.
Falling victim to such scams can lead to compromised accounts, loss of privacy, reputational damage, and even financial loss for you o your contacts.
Lottery & Giveaway Scam
Lottery & Giveaway Scam
These scams typically begin with a message claiming you’ve won a prize — such as a smartphone, voucher, or cash reward — despite never having entered a competition. Scammers posing as companies or influencers ask you to provide personal details or pay a fee to “claim” your reward. In reality, there is no prize, and any information or money you provide is stolen.
These scams typically begin with a message claiming you’ve won a prize — such as a smartphone, voucher, or cash reward — despite never having entered a competition. Scammers posing as companies or influencers ask you to provide personal details or pay a fee to “claim” your reward. In reality, there is no prize, and any information or money you provide is stolen.
Warning signs include:
Warning signs include:
- Poor grammar or spelling mistakes
- Suspicious email or direct message addresses
- Urgency to act quickly
Victims of these scams risk identity theft, unauthorized access to accounts, or financial losses — often small amounts that quickly add up.
Victims of these scams risk identity theft, unauthorized access to accounts, or financial losses — often small amounts that quickly add up.
Phishing Messages (Email, SMS, DMs)
Phishing Messages (Email, SMS, DMs)
Phishing involves fraudulent messages that appear to come from trusted platforms like banks, streaming services, or social media networks. These messages typically claim that something is wrong with your account and prompt you to click a link to "resolve" the issue. The link leads to a convincing imitation website where entering your credentials allows scammers to steal your data.
Phishing involves fraudulent messages that appear to come from trusted platforms like banks, streaming services, or social media networks. These messages typically claim that something is wrong with your account and prompt you to click a link to "resolve" the issue. The link leads to a convincing imitation website where entering your credentials allows scammers to steal your data.
Warning signs include:
Warning signs include:
- Suspicious-looking links or URLs
- Grammatical errors or awkward phrasing
- Sender addresses that don’t match official domains
The consequences of falling for phishing include compromised login information, unauthorized financial transactions, and potential identity fraud.
The consequences of falling for phishing include compromised login information, unauthorized financial transactions, and potential identity fraud.
Marketplace Scam
Marketplace Scam
Scammers use social platforms to post fake listings for in-demand products — such as electronics, shoes, or event tickets — offering them at prices that seem too good to be true. Once payment is made, the scammer may vanish, provide a fake tracking number, or demand additional charges. They often insist on being paid via direct transfer or cryptocurrency to avoid detection.
Scammers use social platforms to post fake listings for in-demand products — such as electronics, shoes, or event tickets — offering them at prices that seem too good to be true. Once payment is made, the scammer may vanish, provide a fake tracking number, or demand additional charges. They often insist on being paid via direct transfer or cryptocurrency to avoid detection.
Warning signs include:
Warning signs include:
- Sellers pressuring you to act fast
- Refusal to use secure payment platforms
- No reviews or transaction history
Victims are often left without the product and with no way to retrieve their funds.
Victims are often left without the product and with no way to retrieve their funds.
Rideshare Scam
Rideshare Scam
Some scammers target users of rideshare services by sending fake notifications via text, email, or DM, claiming your ride has been cancelled, delayed, or requires payment verification. In more serious cases, individuals may pose as drivers in public places, presenting false identities to collect payment or personal details.
Some scammers target users of rideshare services by sending fake notifications via text, email, or DM, claiming your ride has been cancelled, delayed, or requires payment verification. In more serious cases, individuals may pose as drivers in public places, presenting false identities to collect payment or personal details.
Warning signs include:
Warning signs include:
- Mismatched vehicle or driver information
- Requests for cash or payments outside the app
- Links to unfamiliar or suspicious websites
These scams can result not only in financial loss but also in serious personal safety risks.
These scams can result not only in financial loss but also in serious personal safety risks.
Scholarship & Student Grant Scam
Scholarship & Student Grant Scam
Scammers often pose as government agencies, universities, or scholarship organisations offering fake financial aid, grants, or tuition discounts. These messages are usually sent through social media DMs or email and promise "guaranteed" funding for eligible students. To receive the money, you're asked to provide personal information or pay an “application” or “release” fee. In reality, no such funding exists.
Scammers often pose as government agencies, universities, or scholarship organisations offering fake financial aid, grants, or tuition discounts. These messages are usually sent through social media DMs or email and promise "guaranteed" funding for eligible students. To receive the money, you're asked to provide personal information or pay an “application” or “release” fee. In reality, no such funding exists.
Warning signs include:
Warning signs include:
- Generic or vague messages
- Unverified pages claiming to be official
- Links to forms asking for banking details or ID
Victims risk identity theft and financial loss — often falling into more scams once their data is shared.
Victims risk identity theft and financial loss — often falling into more scams once their data is shared.
Event Ticket Scam
Event Ticket Scam
Event ticket scams target young people looking for last-minute tickets to sold-out concerts, sports games, or festivals. Scammers pose as sellers on platforms like Instagram Stories, Facebook comments, or TikTok threads, offering tickets at discounted rates. Once the buyer sends payment, the ticket turns out to be fake or never arrives. Some may even send a fake QR code or doctored screenshot of an e-ticket.
Event ticket scams target young people looking for last-minute tickets to sold-out concerts, sports games, or festivals. Scammers pose as sellers on platforms like Instagram Stories, Facebook comments, or TikTok threads, offering tickets at discounted rates. Once the buyer sends payment, the ticket turns out to be fake or never arrives. Some may even send a fake QR code or doctored screenshot of an e-ticket.
Warning signs include:
Warning signs include:
- No proof of ticket ownership
- Sellers refusing to use secure payment methods
- Urgency like “first to pay gets it”
Victims usually lose the full cost of the ticket and miss the event entirely.
Victims usually lose the full cost of the ticket and miss the event entirely.
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