On average, we spend an estimated 2 hours and 21 minutes using social media each day. That’s more than 850 hours a year — making social media platforms a convenient place for cybercriminals to work.
Federal Trade Commission reports show 70% of people contacted by scammers on social media lost money in 2024. That adds up to a loss of $1.9 billion.
Here are some common social media scams as well as do’s and don’ts to avoid them.
Common Scams
- Impersonation
Fake social media profiles or hacked accounts often lead to other scams. Cybercriminals will impersonate people you know, companies and celebrities to get your personal information or money. - Online Dating
Scammers trick individuals into thinking they have romantic interest. Once they establish trust, they convince the person to send them money to help with a hardship or as part of an investment scam. - Products and Services
Fake ads offering limited deals are used to steal money and personal information. Clicking links might take you to a fake website. The deals may even appear to come from people you know looking to sell something directly. - Investment
Get-rich-quick schemes try to entice innocent people into sending money. Cryptocurrency and real estate investments are common. Once you’ve sent the money, the scammer is long gone.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Trust your gut. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Take your time. Before you act, slow down and look for red flags.
- Use a unique password or passphrase for every social media account.
- Set up multifactor authentication on every account.
Don’t:
- Send money to anyone you meet online.
- Accept friend requests from strangers or copycat accounts.
- Click links that seem suspicious. Verify deals by going directly to the company’s website.
- Send personal information through social media.
For questions about staying safe online, contact the NC State Help Desk via the NC State IT Service Portal or call 919.515.HELP (4357).
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