Sharing moments, keeping in touch with friends and family, and having fun on different social media platforms make you feel happy. It surely does! But certain features and privacy flaws could put you in danger.Snapchat is one of the favorite platforms of today. With its unique features and disappearing messages, it has kept a huge amount of data from customers, but is this safe? These attractive features could be the source of scams. Let’s discover some of the most common Snapchat scams, ways to avoid them, and what to do if you get trapped.
We will give you a handy solution you should always use while on social media. Shall we begin the journey?
Snapchat Scams: Shocking Stats & stories you must know
Snapchat has experienced several data breaches over the years, the most recent being in May 2019. It was discovered that Snapchat employees were spying on user accounts. They reportedly used the SnapLion tool initially designed to assist with law enforcement requests.
The employees used this tool for personal purposes, including accessing location information, phone numbers, and email addresses. And in July 2017, a phishing attack compromised the account passwords of over 55,000 Snapchat users.
Before that, in February 2016, a payroll department employee fell for a phishing attack and disclosed the payroll information of some current and former employees at Snapchat. And a third-party app hack in October 2014 resulted in the leak of 200,000 images.
That same year in January, hackers acquired: 4.6 million Snapchat accounts.
According to the latest Snapchat statistics [2023], the platform has 293 million daily active users. Most US users on the platform are millennials and Gen Z, and about 70% are women. On average, we spend 30 minutes a day on Snapchat.
Image source: Statista
What are Snapchat scams, and how do they work?
Snapchat scams are deceptive tactics scammers use to trick you into giving away personal information or money. These scams can be of many forms, from fake celebrity accounts to phishing messages disguised as official notifications from Snapchat.
Here are some most recurring scams you should know about
“Cash App” scams
It involves scammers sending messages to you, asking to send money through cash apps. The scammer may look like a friend or family member needing financial assistance or claiming to be a business or service offering a prize or reward for sending money. Once you send the money, the scammer runs away, leaving you no way to retrieve funds.
Source: Reddit user
To avoid falling victim to the cash scam, it’s crucial to only send money to people you know and trust. Be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers asking for money, and never send money to anyone claiming to offer a prize or reward in exchange for payment.
“Clickbait” scams
The clickbait scam involves scammers creating fake news stories or advertisements that entice you to click on a link. Once you hit the link, you will be directed to a fake website or asked to provide personal information, which can be used for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.
Source: Reddit discussion
It’s important to be cautious when clicking on links and to verify the authenticity of any news stories or advertisements before clicking on them. Avoid providing personal information to any suspicious websites or services, and be wary of unsolicited messages asking for personal information.
“Fake Celebrity” scams
The fake celebrity scam involves scammers creating fake accounts of popular celebrities and influencers and using these accounts to message you for personal information or money. These scammers may use convincing photos and videos to make their accounts seem legitimate and even engage in lengthy conversations with you to build trust.
Source: Reddit user
To avoid falling victim to the fake celebrity scam, it’s important to be wary of unsolicited messages from celebrity accounts and verify the authenticity of any messages or requests before responding.
“Phishing” scams
The phishing scam involves scammers sending messages disguised as official notifications from Snapchat, requesting personal information such as passwords or account details. These scammers may use convincing graphics and logos to make their messages seem legitimate and threaten to disable or delete your account if you do not comply with their request.
Source: Reddit user
To avoid falling victim to the phishing scam, it’s important to be wary of any unsolicited messages from Snapchat and verify the authenticity of any requests before responding.
Is there a way to spot a fake Snapchat account?
Fake Snapchat accounts can be difficult to spot, as scammers can use convincing photos and videos to make their accounts seem legitimate. However, there are a few key ways to spot a fake Snapchat account:
- You must check the username carefully: Fake accounts may use usernames similar to popular celebrities or influencers but may include extra characters or misspellings. Always double-check the username and verify the account before engaging with it.
- Try to find the source of the profile picture: Fake accounts may use photos or videos stolen from other sources or manipulated to make them look like celebrities or influencers. Use a reverse image search tool to verify the authenticity of the profile picture.
- Find out the snap score: A high snap score can indicate that an account is legitimate and has been active for a while. Fake accounts may have low or zero snap scores, indicating they are new or inactive.
- Check for verification: Some celebrities and influencers have verified accounts, indicated by a blue checkmark next to their username. If you get a message from an unverified account claiming to be a celebrity or influencer, it may be a fake account.
- Look at the account’s activity: Fake accounts may have little to no activity or only a few snaps or stories posted. Legitimate accounts will have regular activity and engagement with their followers. Be wary!
What should you do to safeguard yourself from scammers?
Here are some tips to safeguard yourself from scammers on Snapchat:
- Avoid adding or communicating with strangers, especially those who request personal information or financial assistance.
- Verify the authenticity of any messages or requests before responding to them. Scammers may use convincing photos, videos, or messages to make their accounts seem legitimate, so always double-check and verify their identity before engaging with them.
- Be cautious when clicking on links. Scammers may use clickbait tactics to lure you into clicking on malvertising links that can compromise your account or steal your personal information. Always verify the authenticity of any links before clicking on them.
- Avoid providing personal information. Scammers may use phishing tactics to request personal information such as passwords or account details. Never provide personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust, and report any suspicious messages or activity to Snapchat immediately.
- Use two-factor authentication. It adds security to your Snapchat account by requiring a verification code and password, which can help prevent unauthorized login to your account.
- Keep your app and device up to date. Updating your Snapchat app and device can help protect against security vulnerabilities and ensure you have the latest security features.
- Try taking the help of reliable VPN services.
What to do if you’ve been scammed?
Suppose you believe that you have been scammed on Snapchat. In that case, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and report the incident:
- If you doubt your account has been compromised, change your password without delay to prevent further unauthorized access.
- You can report scams directly to Snapchat [here] by going to the app’s Support section and submitting a report. Be sure to include as much information as possible, including the username of the scammer, any messages or requests they sent, and any financial transactions.
- If you were scammed out of money or if the scam involved any illegal activity, report the incident to your local law enforcement agency or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- If the scam involves a financial transaction, immediately contact your bank or credit card company to report the fraudulent activity and request a chargeback if necessary.
- After being scammed, it’s important to be extra cautious of future interactions on Snapchat and other online platforms. Avoid engaging with strangers and be wary of any messages or requests that seem suspicious or too good to be true.
Note: Remember that it’s never too late to report a scam or seek help if you have been a victim of fraud. By taking swift action and reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities, you can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam and protect yourself from further harm.
How can a VPN help you prevent scams?
A reliable VPN can help you avoid scams. By offering features to manage your privacy, identity, passwords, social media account, and encryption, PureSquare comes with cutting-edge technology to keep you secure at each digital interaction.
Here’s why you should make it your assistant:
PureVPN: Changes your IP address every time you log in to Snapchat, keeping you untraceable, hence safe.
Get PureVPN Now
PurePrivacy: Your social media partner to control your safety on social media.
PureKeep: Keep your passwords safe and unbreakable.
PureEncrypt: A cloud-based system to keep your data in a secure cloud.
Don’t fall for the scams that easily! Choose the right ways to keep yourself secure.
Bottom line: Don’t get into the scammy hands too easily
Scams are common on social media platforms. So, let it be Venmo, Tumblr, Steam, or Facebook; you are equally at risk of being scammed if you do not exercise due diligence.
Taking prompt action if caught by an attack is what you must do. Reporting to Snapchat and other law enforcement agencies is a must.
Most importantly, it is best to play on the safer side and engage with security tools like PureSquare to keep your digital safety a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Internet crime complaint Center do?
The IC3 provides a mechanism to submit a report to the FBI concerning internet criminal activity to the FBIties. It makes sure that effective steps are taken to catch criminals.
How do I contact the FBI cybercrime division?
Report your crime today at www.IC3.gov. A division of the FBI for cyber crimes.
Can I recover my money from being scammed?
This depends on a bank and its policies, contact your bank and explain what happened, and they might reimburse the amount.
Can you track a scammer?
By tracing the IP address of the scammers, they can be traced. If the IP was changed through a VPN then it might be difficult.
How do you go after someone who scammed you?
To constitute a scam means that a fraud is put into action, and it is a crime and must be reported to law enforcement agencies.
Can the police help me find the scammer?
Yes, it is always best to contact the police if you have been scammed. Reach out to your local police department for help.
Does VPN hide IP from Snapchat?
Yes. A VPN will hide your IP from Snapchat, by encrypting your data, which helps you go untraceable on Snapchat.
Does Snapchat track your IP address?
According to its privacy policies, Snapchat tracks your IP address and activities.
FAQs
What are the latest scams in NZ? ›
- April 2023 - NZTA and ANZ text message scams.
- February 2023 – Cyclone and flood related scams.
- August 2022 - IRD and NZTA phishing scams.
- April 2022 – Beware of text message phishing scams.
- February 2022 - Phone scammers posing as the ANZ Fraud Team.
- Call us toll-free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)
- Make a report to netsafe.org.nz.
- Email help@netsafe.org.nz.
One of the best ways to track down a scammer is by reporting them to the police. The process for reporting an incident will vary depending on how it was committed, but once filed, you should receive a number that you can keep for your records. Once the police have your information, they can act against the scammer.
What are the 4 most common scams? ›- Advance Fee Scams. ...
- Tech Support Scams. ...
- Phishing. ...
- Emergency Scams. ...
- IRS or Government Imposter Scams. ...
- Foreign Money Exchange Scams. ...
- Counterfeit Cashier's Checks. ...
- Bogus Debts.
Contact you unexpectedly — One of the easiest ways to spot a scammer is if they contact you first. If you receive any message, phone call, or email from someone you don't know, verify they are who they say by contacting their agency or business directly.
Is scamming illegal in NZ? ›Fraud is a criminal offence. While some scammers will simply ask their target directly for money, others will be more subtle about what they want. They can trick you into parting with personal or business details that they can use to: get access to your finances.
Can you track a scammer? ›IP tracing
An IP address can be used to trace the location of the scammer if the IP address is not hidden using a VPN or other means. There are a variety of ways to obtain someone's IP address.
Contact your bank immediately to let them know what's happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should reimburse you if you've transferred money to someone because of a scam.
How do you protect yourself after being scammed? ›- STOP CONTACT WITH THE SCAMMER. Hang up the phone. ...
- SECURE YOUR FINANCES.
- CHECK YOUR COMPUTER. ...
- CHANGE YOUR ACCOUNT PASSWORDS. ...
- REPORT THE SCAM.
This means the caller ID displays a number (frequently with a local area code) to disguise the real number of the caller. Spoofed calls are nearly impossible to track. However, I always recommend running a Google search on the phone number.
How do I stop myself from being scammed? ›
Always use password protection, don't share access with others (including remotely), update security software and back up content. Protect your WiFi network with a password and avoid using public computers or WiFi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information. Choose your passwords carefully.
How do I outsmart an online scammer? ›- Don't click on links in an unsolicited email or text message.
- Don't use the phone number a potential scammer provided in an email or text message. ...
- Don't give out personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers.
- The “pig butchering” scam.
- Student loan forgiveness scams.
- Damaged used cars sales.
- Google Voice verification code scams.
- Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App Scams.
- Robocalls attempting to steal 2FA codes.
- Work-from-home scams.
- Amazon imposter scams.
Be on the lookout for these red flags: Being asked to pay money in order to receive a prize or get a job. Pressure to act immediately. Use of scare tactics, e.g. telling you a loved one is in danger, that your computer has been hacked or threatening arrest if you don't act now.
What are the signs of a romantic scammer? ›Romance scammers usually use fake profile images in order to protect their own identities. To keep you interested and prevent you from questioning their identity, romance scammers will often continually make promises to meet in person, even if that means flying overseas.
How do you catch a romance scammer? ›- They rush into a relationship much more quickly than expected because they're desperate to get you attached.
- They shower you with affection and attention, even though you've never even met.
For victim support for online scams please contact ID Care on 0800 201 415.
How do I report a romance scammer NZ? ›Report a romance scam
You can report a scam to www.netsafe.org.nz/report.
Although fraud is listed as a crime in the criminal code, generally the only time law enforcement will prosecute someone for fraud is for high profile cases or situations where they have already arrested someone and the law enforcement agency adds fraud charges to the other charges they already have against the person.
Which apps detect scammer number? ›With a community-based spam list that updates in real-time to fight robocalls, scams, and unwanted numbers, Truecaller is the only Live Caller ID & Spam Blocking app you'll ever need. ‣ Enter any number to lookup name and other contact info (Works for domestic and international numbers!)
What information can a scammer get? ›
What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards. Identity thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name.
What information can a scammer get from my phone? ›Scammers use auto-dialers and spoofed area codes to trick people into picking up the phone. From there, it's a numbers game. The scammers want to get as much personal information from the call recipient as possible. That can include anything from names and birth dates to credit card numbers.
Can you reverse a bank transfer if scammed NZ? ›As a general rule, banks can reverse a payment made in error only with the consent of the person who received it. Your bank and the recipient's bank will need to co-operate to try to recover the payment.
How can someone use my debit card without having it? ›Fraudsters can get ahold of your card details in a few different ways—one of them being through an ATM card skimming device. Nefarious parties can also gain access to old bank statements or debit cards, or direct you to make a payment on a fraudulent website that collects your details.
Should I close my bank account after being scammed? ›If you gave the fraudster your bank account number or routing number, contact your bank or credit union immediately. You may need to close the account and open a new one. Social security number. Go ahead with a fraud alert or credit freeze and report your information stolen at the FTC's identitytheft.gov website.
Can someone open a bank account in your name without you knowing? ›This person may be the actual fraudster or someone the criminal has manipulated into acting as a front for the fraud. The accounts are then used to either launder money or commit future fraud. Criminals use stolen credentials and personal data to open accounts in the names of individuals without their knowledge.
What if a scammer has your address? ›The scammers divert your mail to the new mailing address where they have access. They open your mail and access your bank statements, drivers license renewals, and other sensitive information they can use to rob you or conduct financial crimes under your name.
What happens if you text a scammer back? ›Don't reply directly to any spam text message
Directly replying to a spam text message lets a spammer know that your number is genuine. What happens next? They can sell your phone number to other spammers who might bombard you with promises of free gifts and product offers.
Activate Call Trace
Hang up the phone after receiving a harassing call. Pick up the phone and press *57 (touch tone) or 1157 (rotary). You'll hear a confirmation tone and message will be heard If the trace is successful.
Call return (*69) automatically dials your last incoming call, whether the call was answered, unanswered or busy. Call within 30 minutes, during which you can still make and receive calls. To deactivate while waiting for the party you are trying to reach to become available, dial *89.
What can a scammer do with my phone number and picture? ›
They could pretend to be you in order to open credit accounts – such as for credit cards – leaving you with the bill for their purchases. Identity thieves could also use your details for non-financial scams, such as pretending to be you on dating websites.
What is the psychology of a scammer? ›Distraction: Scammers routinely distract their victims, making them more likely to fall for a scam. They may distract people with requests that don't involve money, so AP staff become more trusting. Once trust is established, they then proceed to deceive the victim into taking an action that involves money.
Should you block a scammer? ›Call blocking can help stop robocalls from scammers. But some robocalls might still get through. If you get an illegal robocall, hang up. Don't press a number, which could lead to more robocalls.
Why do people get scammed easily? ›Research has found that our brains have an “optimism bias”, which is, simply put, the belief that we're less likely than our peers to experience negative events and more likely to experience positive ones. Some call it an illusion of invulnerability – and it is one reason we end up victims of scams.
What are the most common scams today? ›- Election Crimes and Security. ...
- Holiday Scams. ...
- Money Mules. ...
- Ransomware. ...
- Romance Scams. ...
- Sextortion: What Kids and Caregivers Need to Know. ...
- Skimming. ...
- Spoofing and Phishing. Spoofing and phishing are schemes aimed at tricking you into providing sensitive information—like your password or bank PIN—to scammers.
Cyber criminals are targeting organizations that use popular cloud-based email services to conduct BEC scams. Business email compromise/email account compromise is a sophisticated scam that targets both businesses and individuals who perform legitimate transfer-of-funds requests.
What is the latest on romance scams? ›Thieves stole more than $1 billion in romance scams last year and the Federal Trade Commission is warning how thieves get money from would-be victims. Romance scammers raked in big bucks in 2022, deceiving almost 70,000 people out of $1.3 billion, according to a new report from the Federal Trade Commission.
How do I know if a website is legitimate NZ? ›Establish if the website is genuine
You can check whether the owners of domain names are registered in New Zealand by visiting the New Zealand Domain Name Commission register. Check if they are a registered New Zealand companies in the Companies Register. Both databases include contact and ownership details.
1. Facebook, Account Cloning: Scammers use the photos and information on your public profile to create a replica account. They ask your friends and family for money and send them malicious links that if clicked can steal their personal and financial information leading to identity theft and financial ruin.
What kind of scams are going around? ›- The “pig butchering” scam.
- Student loan forgiveness scams.
- Damaged used cars sales.
- Google Voice verification code scams.
- Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App Scams.
- Robocalls attempting to steal 2FA codes.
- Work-from-home scams.
- Amazon imposter scams.
What are the biggest online scams? ›
One of the most prevalent and successful online scams is phishing. This involves the scammer luring you into providing them with personal information, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive information they can use to make purchases, steal your identity, or more.
What numbers are usually scams? ›- 216 is the area code for Cleveland, Ohio.
- 232 is the area code for Sierra Leone.
- 268 is the area code for Antigua and Barbuda.
- 284 is the area code for the British Virgin Islands.
- 332 is an area code for New York City.
- 347 is an area code for New York City.
It turns out that the Philippines is responsible for the highest number of dating scam cases. Over 1,300 romance fraud cases have been reported against the country, and they are responsible for a whopping $4 million in financial loss. Ranking in second place is Nigeria.
How to catch a love scammer? ›- Profile Warning Signs. ...
- They Try to Take the Conversation Elsewhere. ...
- Your Match Professes Love Early On. ...
- They Avoid Meet-Ups. ...
- They Avoid Video Chat Completely. ...
- They Request Money From You. ...
- They Ask for Your Help With Financial Transactions. ...
- They Send You a Link to Another Service or Website.
- You can't find information about them online.
- They quickly tell you they love you (i.e., “love bombing”)
- Too perfect — especially in photos.
- Always traveling or live far away from you.
- Refuse to video chat (or always cancel)
- Constant family or personal emergencies.
For victim support for online scams please contact ID Care on 0800 201 415.
What is a .NZ website? ›.nz is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for New Zealand. It is administered by InternetNZ, with oversight and dispute resolution handled by the Domain Name Commission Limited (DNCL).
How do I know if a website is a NZ website so I can get delivery from nz? ›A website with '. nz' at the end isn't always a New Zealand business. So, if it looks local but feels funny, check first if a company is registered to sell products in New Zealand. To find a business's trading name, physical address and email you can also search for their New Zealand Business Number (NZBN).