Scammers send direct messages or advertise in comments with links pointing to fake login pages, trying to get users to enter their login credentials. Users’ accounts are then hijacked once those credentials have been harvested.

It’s important to remember that scammers may try to trick you into sharing your personal information, usually by email or through an in-app message.

If you see or receive a suspicious message, email, video, or link, don’t open it. Report it to your social media platform’s support channel immediately.

Keep in mind:

• Any legitimate message from TikTok, Facebook, Craigslist, Etsy, etc. won’t ask you for personal information, such as your name, contact details, or password.
• Always verify any links sent to you before you open them.
• Never trust any third-party websites that promise to give away free likes, fans, crowns, Coins, or other incentives, as they may be able to access your login information.

Fraudsters may set up a fake e-commerce store, and then advertise selling goods that may not exist. If you make a purchase on these e-commerce sites, the scammer will either take your funds immediately or hold the card information to make their own unauthorized purchases.

Fraudsters may also open accounts posing as celebrities, brands, or influencers to build a large following, which they then leverage to promote malicious links or content.

Resist the urge to click on a link or attachment from an unverified source. This is a surefire way to introduce malware or other malicious programs on your devices.

Accounts promise viewers an easy way to make money by simply sharing posts, liking content, or sending an upfront registration fee. 

Of course, the promised payouts never come.

Links posted on profiles and in video descriptions can lead to sites harboring viruses and malware when clicked. This gives criminals access to viewers’ devices and data.

Scammers use psychological manipulation to build online relationships with victims, eventually leading to requests for money through sob stories, romance scams, and fake emergencies.