Instagram is a platform where most youngsters hang out. With all the popularity and crowd that Instagram has gained it has become a hangout spot for scammers and fraudsters as well.
These scams usually lead to the stealing of identity, financial losses, and compromised financial information.
Scams to save yourself from:
Phishing scam:
This is a very common Instagram scam where scammers send emails or direct DM’s to victims. They tell the victim to take action or else their account would be deactivated, they would make the victim believe that their account is in danger.
Once the victim clicks on the link they would be taken to a shady website being asked for their personal information via which they can steal their money.
Influencer scams:
There are a number of genuine influencers on the platform who add a lot of value to people’s lives, but it is not a joke that influencers do earn a ton of money as well, this attracts people, which leads them to create fake accounts to deceive victims and steal their money.
Fake jobs and scams:
Scammers lose no opportunity to steal people’s money with many people losing their jobs lately, they started taking advantage of this situation by posting fake jobs on Instagram.
They ask for a token amount and disappear later.
Sponsorship scams:
Fake sponsorship apps scams use fake accounts, they pose as influencers and pretend to be legitimate brands.
Lottery and giveaway scams:
People are very attracted to giveaways and prizes, the scammer plays around with this to get victims and steal their money.
They usually congratulate you for winning the prize, take your personal information and redirect you to a shady website via which it gets easier for them to steal your money.
Tips for protecting your account:
Strengthen your password:
The first thing you can do is strengthen your password, many scams and frauds fail here. It’s not a very good idea to use easily guessable passwords.
Be cautious about clicking on unknown links
This is one of the most common Instagram scams that has been around for pretty long, scammers send links via which they can get your personal information and steal your money.
Verify accounts:
Before engaging with accounts try to check how legit they are. Check if they are proper and well-known brands, and check for spelling and grammatical mistakes in their account or the websites they redirect you to.
Protect your personal information:
Avoid sharing sensitive information like home address, phone number, or financial details on Instagram. This information is very vital for scammers.
Keep Your App and Devices Updated:
Regularly updating your Instagram app and device operating system is crucial for security. Updates often contain patches for vulnerabilities that scammers may exploit. allow automatic updates whenever possible to ensure that you have the latest security enhancements.
Is it possible to recover the lost money?
In today’s day and age no matter how much you educate yourself and keep yourself up to date, scammers have become very sophisticated and professional. Scamming has become very easy.
Document and Gather Evidence:
The first step after realizing you have been scammed is to document and gather as much evidence as possible. Take screenshots of all relevant conversations, transactions, and any other communication that occurred with the scammer. This evidence will be crucial when reporting the scam to the appropriate authorities or platforms. Additionally, save any receipts, invoices, or proof of payments associated with the scam.
Contact your bank:
Contact your bank and see if they can reverse or stop the payment.
Report the scam to Instagram:
Inform Instagram about the scam by reporting the fraudulent account or activity. Use the in-app reporting feature or contact Instagram’s support team through their website. Provide them with all the relevant details, including the username of the scammer and any evidence you have collected. While Instagram may not be able to directly recover your money, reporting the scam helps protect other users from falling victim to the same scheme.
Contact lawyers:
Few lawyers specifically work on scam recovery cases, victims can take their help to recover their lost funds:
Recovery firms:
Do thorough research about genuine recovery firms and contact them, they would surely help you recover your lost funds.
It is very important to take help from the government, and law enforcement officers in the area. Do report the matter to your nearest police station.
Conclusion:
While Instagram provides a platform for creativity and connection, it also attracts scammers looking to prey on unsuspecting users. By implementing the tips outlined in this article, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to Instagram scams. Stay vigilant, be cautious of suspicious links, protect your personal information, and keep your app and devices updated. By doing so, you can enjoy a safer and more secure Instagram experience.
