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Social media scams: types and how to spot them
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Scrolling through your feed, you might come across unexpected friend requests, quizzes, or quick-cash-offers. They may seem harmless, but could be social media scams. Learn how to spot them and stay safe online
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 29 August 2025
Social media scams – what are they and how to recognise them?
Using social media has become an essential part of our daily lives. From staying in touch with friends to following the latest news or shopping online, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X shape the way we live and interact. But with their popularity comes an increased risk of social media fraud.
Scammers are getting smarter, using fake logos, profiles, and tempting offers to trick people. Learn the most common social media scams, the warning signs to watch for, and how to stay protected online.
What are the types of social media scams?
From fake friend requests, fake giveaways, or impersonation accounts, scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick users into sharing personal information, money, or account access. Here are the most common ones:
Fake friends and impersonation accounts
Scammers often pose as friends, people you may know, and even celebrities. They might send friend requests asking for money or share phishing links that take you to malicious websites. Always verify unfamiliar accounts before starting to chat, and never send money or sensitive info to anyone you can’t confirm is genuine.
Free app downloads
Some apps on social media appear legitimate but secretly download malware or request unnecessary personal information. Only download apps from official stores, do your research, and avoid third-party providers. Even a seemingly harmless app can compromise your device or data.
Quizzes and personality tests
Quizzes promising to reveal your personality, celebrity lookalike, or free prizes often collect more data than you realise. Information from your profile, friends, or IP address can be sold to third parties or misused. Avoid short quizzes or apps advertised on social media that request excessive access to your data.
Romance scams
Romance scams are one of the most emotionally damaging types of social media fraud. Scammers use fake profiles with stolen pics to build trust over weeks or months, showering victims with attention before inventing a crisis, like medical bills, asking for money. To protect yourself, never send money or share financial info with someone you only know online.
Investment and crypto scams
Scammers on social media often push fake investment opportunities or cryptocurrency schemes, using flashy ads, fake endorsements, and promises of quick, guaranteed profits. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Avoid pressure to “act fast,” and remember that genuine investments take time and carry real risks.
How to recognise social media scams
Being able to spot a scam before it causes harm is one of the most important skills for any social media user. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated deepfakes, fake profiles, and deceptive offers across platforms.
Watch out for these common warning signs:
Too-good-to-be-true offers: Giveaways promising high-value prizes or large sums of money are often scams. If it sounds too easy, it probably is.
Urgency or pressure: Messages that demand you act immediately, such as “Verify your account now or lose access,” are designed to make you act without thinking.
Suspicious requests: Someone you only know online asking for money, threatening to share private images, or claiming they live overseas to avoid meeting in person.
Suspicious links or attachments: Hover over links before clicking, and avoid downloading attachments from unknown sources. These can install malware on your device.
Grammatical errors or unusual language: Many scam messages contain spelling mistakes, awkward phrasing, or odd email addresses.
Visual cues: Low-quality profile photos, generic usernames, and accounts with very few followers can indicate suspicious activity.
How to stay safe on social media
It’s easier to stay safe online than to fix the mess after a scam. Here are some simple ways you can take to keep yourself safe when browsing social media.
Don't reuse passwords across multiple accounts. It makes it easier for scammers to access everything if one account is compromised. Avoid obvious personal details like birthdays or pet names, which can be found on your social media. Password managers like LastPass can help create strong, unique passwords so you don’t have to remember them all.
2FA adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they still need a code sent to your phone or email to log in. Most social media platforms make this easy to set up, and it can significantly reduce the chances of someone breaking into your account.
Be cautious if unknown people ask for personal information. Only accept requests from people you actually know, and verify unfamiliar accounts before interacting. Scammers often create fake profiles to trick users into sharing personal details. Trust your gut; if it feels off, don’t engage.
Limit who can see your posts, send messages, or view your personal information. Avoid posting details such as nicknames, addresses, or travel plans publicly. Scammers often piece together information from social media to commit fraud.
Scammers can impersonate public networks or intercept connections to steal data. Avoid using apps with sensitive information, like mobile banking, on public WiFi, and use a VPN if possible to encrypt your connection.
And if you’re a parent or carer, keeping kids safe online is just as important. Here’s how you can help them use social media with confidence
What to do if you fall victim to a social media scam
Even the most vigilant users can sometimes be targeted successfully. If you suspect you’ve fallen victim, quick action is essential:
Report the scam: Notify the platform immediately. Most social media platforms have reporting tools for suspicious accounts, posts, and messages.
Change all your passwords: Update all affected accounts and enable two-factor authentication to prevent further access.
Monitor accounts for suspicious activity: Keep an eye on your email, social media, and financial accounts for unusual logins or transactions.
Report financial loss: If you’ve shared personal information or clicked a suspicious link, contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national centre for fraud and cybercrime, at 0300 123 2040 or via their online reporting tool.
Contact family and friends: Let friends and family know. Share what happened so they can stay alert and avoid falling for social media scams.
How Virgin Media helps you stay safe online
At Virgin Media, your online safety comes first. All our broadband packages include Essential Security at no extra cost, helping to block phishing sites, viruses, and unsafe pop-ups before they reach you.
You’ll also have access to parental controls and content filters, making it easier to keep children and teens safe on social media. Plus, our Online Safety Hub shares practical tips and tricks to help you spot scams and protect your personal information.
With Virgin Media’s built-in security tools and regular chats with your loved ones about staying safe, you can enjoy social media with more confidence.
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