Social Media Scams

Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions: What You Need to Know Intro If you use Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ve probably seen a post for a can’t-miss deal on designer goods, a too-perfect investment opportunity, or a friendly message from a stranger who seems unusually interested in your life. These are often the opening moves of a social media scam. Fraud has shifted aggressively onto these platforms, and the dollar figures are staggering. ...

Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions: How to Spot and Stop Them Scams that once arrived by email or phone call are now showing up in your Facebook feed, Instagram DMs, and TikTok comments. Fraud has moved decisively onto social media platforms, and the financial damage is staggering. ...

How to Spot Social Media Scams: A Practical Guide to Avoid Losing Money Online Fraud is moving to the platforms you use every day. According to recent reports, social media scams now account for billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States. The convenience of connecting with friends, browsing products, and discovering new opportunities has also opened the door for scammers to target ordinary users. ...

Social media scams are surging: How to protect yourself from fraud Americans lost billions to social media scams last year, according to recent reporting from ConsumerAffairs. Fraudsters are increasingly moving from email and phone calls to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where they can create fake profiles, hack trusted accounts, and reach millions of people with minimal effort. If you use social media, you’ve probably already seen the signs—a too-good-to-be-true listing for a new iPhone, a sudden message from a “friend” asking for money, or an ad promising quick cash. Learning to recognize these tactics is the best way to keep your money and identity safe. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Spot One If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal that turned out to be fake, you’re not alone. A new study from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found that about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a staggering number, and it comes at a time when holiday shopping peaks and scam attempts surge. ...

Social Media Scams Are Surging: How to Spot and Stop Fraud Before You Lose Money If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen an ad for a deal that looks too good to be true, a message from a friend asking you to “verify your account,” or a post promising huge returns on a cryptocurrency investment. These aren’t just annoyances—they’re part of a wave of fraud that is now costing Americans billions of dollars each year. ...

Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe If you’re active on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve probably seen posts or messages promoting a “guaranteed” investment opportunity. Maybe it’s a crypto trading platform that promises triple your money in a week. Or a direct message from someone claiming to be a trusted financial advisor with a limited-time offer. ...

Investment Scams on Social Media: What to Know After a State Attorney General’s Warning In early April 2026, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a consumer alert about a surge in investment scams operating on Meta platforms—specifically Facebook and Instagram. The warning, published by the Attorney General’s office, highlights how fraudsters are using fake profiles, sponsored ads, and private messages to pitch bogus investment opportunities to unsuspecting users. ...