Impersonation
Social Media Takeover Scams
Scammers gain access to your social media account and then impersonate you to scam your friends and followers.
How It Works
- A scammer obtains your login credentials through a phishing attack, data breach, or by guessing a weak password.
- They take over your account, locking you out by changing the password and recovery email.
- They post messages on your profile or send direct messages to your contacts, often claiming you are in an emergency and need money.
- Alternatively, they might post about a fake crypto giveaway or investment scheme, using your reputation to lend it credibility.
Red Flags
- Receiving an unusual message from a friend about an emergency, especially one asking for money via gift cards or wire transfer.
- A friend suddenly posting about a "get rich quick" scheme that seems out of character.
- Getting a notification that your account password or email has been changed without your authorization.
Prevention Tips
- Use a strong, unique password for every social media account.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
- Be wary of quizzes and third-party apps that request access to your profile.
- If a friend sends a suspicious message, try to contact them through another method (like a phone call) to verify it's really them.
Example Scenario
"Your aunt receives a Facebook message from your account saying you lost your wallet while on vacation and need her to send you $500 in Google Play gift cards to get home."