Archives - Social Media Scams


Never respond to requests for money

A common scheme on social media and dating sites is to connect with someone online, trick them into thinking the relationship is legitimate, and then attempt to steal money from the victim. This can come in many forms, but often the cybercriminal will make up a story like they’re stuck in another country and can’t […]

Don’t meet up with anyone online without getting to know them better first

Online dating may be here to stay, but with it comes the risk of criminals trying to take advantage of you by claiming to be someone they’re not. If you engage in online dating, be sure you have a good idea who they are before meeting up with them, and always meet in a public […]

Be aware of social engineering attacks

In a social engineering attack, an attacker uses human interaction (social skills) to obtain or compromise information about an individual or organization computer system. An attacker may seem unassuming and respectable, possibly claiming to be a new employee, repair person, or researcher and even offering credentials to support that identity. However, by asking questions, he […]

Be cautious about solicitations to meet in person for any reason

Meeting someone you’ve met online in-person for the first time can be exciting for social reasons and practical if you’re checking out merchandise before you buy it. However, sometimes people on the internet aren’t who they say they are — and they might not actually have the PlayStation 5 you’re after. If you’re meeting an […]

Don’t believe (or share) every meme you see

Memes are another common source of misinformation on social media and the internet. Because people have a natural inclination to share something if it makes them laugh, bad actors can create memes that suggest things that aren’t true in order to spread misinformation. Memes are extremely easy to produce (there are even meme generators that […]

Double-check and corroborate sources of news for legitimacy

“Fake news” designed for malicious purposes is fairly common on social media, and because these pieces are often sensational, they tend to spread quickly. There are a few ways you can be sure something you’re reading on the internet is real. First, consider the source: Are they a well-known and credible provider of information? If […]