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Uzone.id — Instagram isn’t just about aesthetic feeds and a place to have fun anymore—it’s also a hotspot to trick people. While this popular platform used to connect with friends and family, it also became a breeding ground for scammers.
Based on Statista, Instagram is the third most popular app in 2024 with 2 billion users around the world. With millions of users every day, it’s no surprise that Instagram has become a playground for all kinds of scams.
Cybersecurity Ventures in 2022 reported that Instagram was ranked one of the top social platforms for fraud attempts.
That’s why knowing how to spot these scams and protect yourself is key to keeping your account and personal info safe. Here are common Instagram scams you need to watch out for, and how you avoid their traps.
Fake Giveaways
Who doesn’t love free stuff? Scammers know this and will often run fake giveaways, promising you cool prizes like iPhones, K-pop merch, concert tickets, or expensive makeup if you just follow a few steps they ask you.
The trap? They’ll ask for your info or a small payment to claim your prize—which doesn’t exist. It’s always been their tactic to ask for money at first and ‘disappear’ after they get what they want.
A valid giveaway won’t ask for payments or too much personal info. Also, real giveaways don’t come randomly, so do not fall for something too good to be true. Always double-check the account running the giveaway—make sure it’s verified, well-known, or a personal account. If it feels so sus, it’s probably a fake.
Phishing links in DMs
Be careful with those direct messages! If you get a random one saying your Instagram account is in trouble, it’s probably a scam. They often send a link that looks like it’s from Instagram, but it’s a trap. If you click on it, you’re giving scammers a way to steal your account.
Remember, Instagram will never ask you to verify your account through a direct message. They’ll usually send a notification instead.
So, you have to remember that it’s a big no to click on links from people you don’t know. And if you’re worried, check your Instagram settings for any security warnings.
“You’ve Won!” Scams
If you randomly get a DM saying you’ve won a contest you never entered, then you should be aware that it’s a fraud.
They’ll ask you to click a link or provide personal details to claim your prize. These scammers want your info to steal your account or even your identity.
If you feel like you never entered any contest, you probably didn’t win anything, and do not fall into their trap. Never give out personal info or click on random links. Always verify if the contest was legit.
Money flipping scams
This one is big. Scammers promise to “flip” your money, meaning you send them a small amount of money and they magically turn it into a bigger amount of money. It might sound unreal, and yes it is not real.
It’s not magic or investment. It’s a trap because once you send the money, they disappear.
So, remember that there’s no quick way to make money like that, even in this fast-paced era. If someone promises you that they can multiply your cash fast, it’s 100 percent a scam. Just ignore and don’t engage with these ‘magical’ offers.
(Fake) Influencer wanna collabs with you
This scam targets people who are trying to grow as influencers. You’ll get a DM from a so-called “brand” or Influencer, and they’ll offer you a collab, asking you to pay for shipping or buy their product first in exchange for a feature.
Spoiler Alert: it’s usually fake, and you’re left with no collab and less money.
Real brands won’t ask you to pay to work with them, instead, they’ll pay you and give you a contract. If a collab offer seems suspicious, do some research on the brand and check for reviews. Don’t rush into any deals.
Fake brand ambassadorships
Similar to fake collabs, scammers pretend to be legit companies offering ambassadorships. They’ll say you’ve been selected to be an ambassador but will ask you to buy products first or pay for shipping.
Research the company before engaging. If their page looks new, has few followers, or seems shady, it’s probably a scam. Also, don’t pay upfront to “join” a program.
Romance scams are hunting you.
Who said romance scams only happen on dating apps? Yes, romance scams happen on Instagram, too.
Scammers create fake profiles, start chatting with you, and quickly profess their love. After building trust, they’ll ask for your money or gifts, claiming they’re in a tough spot.
Be cautious with online relationships, do not trust people that easily especially if someone you’ve never met starts asking for money. Real relationships aren’t based on financial favors, it’s based on feelings.
Fake followers service
Scammers will offer services to boost your follower count or increase engagement, for a price. Seems okay for those who want their account to grow fast.
But instead of getting real growth, you could get bots or worse, lose your account because they steal it from you or get kicked out by Instagram.
Growing your Instagram takes time. Buying followers or using sketchy services can lead to your account being banned. Organic growth is all that matters, stick to organic methods like posting good content and engaging with your audience.
Fake charities
After a natural disaster, humanitarian crisis, or geopolitical war, scammers usually take advantage of people’s generosity. They’ll create fake charity accounts, asking for donations to help a cause.
Unfortunately, the money didn’t end up in the one who needed help but in the scammer’s pockets.
That’s why before donating, make sure to verify the charity through trusted platforms like GoFundMe or direct links to known organizations. Don’t send money to random Instagram accounts asking for donations.
So, how to stay safe on Instagram? Well, you should add an extra layer of security to your account like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), regularly review your login activity in Instagram’s security settings, avoid giving out your email, phone number, or payment info through Instagram DMs, and report suspicious activity!
