As social media grows in popularity, so do the number of scams that use it as a platform. One of the most recent scams to hit Instagram is the giveaway scam, which promises free products or cash prizes in exchange for users following certain accounts, tagging friends, or sharing posts. However, as many users have discovered, these giveaways are often too good to be true. In this article, we will expose the truth behind Instagram giveaway scams and offer tips on how to avoid falling victim to them.
What are Instagram giveaway scams?
Instagram giveaway scams are fraudulent schemes that lure users into entering fake contests in exchange for prizes that never actually materialize.
How do Instagram giveaway scams work?
Scammers create fake accounts or use existing ones to pose as legitimate brands or influencers and offer prizes in exchange for likes, follows, and shares.
What are the red flags to look out for?
Suspiciously high prize value, lack of authenticity or verification, incomplete or vague rules and regulations, and requests for personal information are all warning signs to watch out for.
What are the consequences of falling for these scams?
Victims of Instagram giveaway scams can lose their personal information, money, and time.
How can you protect yourself from Instagram giveaway scams?
To avoid falling for these scams, always do your research on the legitimacy of the account, read the rules and regulations carefully, and never give out personal information or payment details.
After reading about the truth behind Instagram giveaway scams, users can now make informed decisions before participating in such giveaways. They are now aware of the red flags to look out for and can protect themselves from potential scams. By sharing their experiences and spreading awareness, users can collectively work towards creating a safer and more trustworthy social media environment.
Scammers are targeting giveaways on Instagram by impersonating competition organisers, leaving users and small business owners struggling against a rising tide of fake accounts. Businesses and individuals who use Instagram to organise giveaways will often ask their followers to comment on a particular post to be entered into the draw to win a prize. But fraudsters are targeting these legitimate competitions by impersonating the accounts running them. After setting up a lookalike page, they will then message individual users, telling them they have won the contest, before proceeding to ask for details including credit card and banking information. Although fake accounts are sometimes removed once reported to Instagram, users say new copycats are popping up all the time. Both organisers and entrants of competitions have told i Money that the scourge of copycat accounts has made them less confident about running and entering contests on the platform. In one instance, i Money was able to identify 23 fake accounts currently live on the platform imitating popular food-themed Instagram profile Mob Kitchen , which frequently runs large competition giveaways. Other users confirmed that the scam has emerged in the past year, at a time when fraudsters are taking advantage of the Covid pandemic to target people online, conning them into giving away valuable personal data and often leaving them open to financial loss. Brands have now taken to adding anti-scam measures to their terms and conditions on competition posts, and sharing additional warnings on their pages to be on the lookout for scammers. While warnings help prevent followers from being caught out, Ms Watkins would still like to see the social media platform come up with a solution itself. We have reported to Instagram via report buttons and as emails with screenshots of the offending accounts. It would be really helpful if Instagram were to act upon this. The problem has hit small and growing businesses especially hard, with several telling iMoney they do not have the resources to keep dealing with copycats every time they appear. Lucy Locket, founder of activewear brand Lucy Locket Loves , told i Money she has now ceased running giveaways. Hundreds of our customers were also reporting the accounts but as soon as one was deleted another popped up. It took days and sometimes weeks for accounts to get banned and sometimes they would not get banned at all by that time any damage will have already been done! Individual influencers and bloggers have also found themselves being imitated. Kirsty Poole, a blogger with almost 7, followers on Instagram kirstypoole , has run more than a dozen giveaways on her profile since April last year. However, after noticing an uptick in scammers in late , she has become nervous about hosting another giveaway. Another blogger, Cecile of The Frenchie Mummy , who has 29, followers, has shifted all contests to her own website to avoid the copycat accounts. She is afraid of the repercussions for her own account if scammers continue to target people using her name. I worked really hard to grow my page. We do not want fraudulent activity on Instagram and we invest in people and technology to block millions of fake accounts every day. We encourage people to report suspicious accounts so we can take appropriate action. Log In. Contact us Sign up for newsletters. Log In Register now My account. By Alys Key. May 5, am Updated am. Get financial advice and industry news, to you help manage your money Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem. More from Lifestyle. Lifestyle Gardening jobs for the weekend Raise fruits from pips and stones and look out for wrens. Motoring This budget-busting new, versatile seven-seater Dacia trounces competition on price. Lifestyle Dr Radha How to find your inner power. Travel Big adventure holidays, from tectonic plate dives in Iceland to a restored pilgrimage in Bhutan. Lifestyle Interview Daniel Craigs personal trainer reveals the secrets on how to get a body like Bond.
Instagram scams have become overwhelmingly popular with cybercriminals. Social media has made it easy for strangers to earn your trust by impersonating people or brands. Sometimes, these fraudsters spend weeks talking with you before pulling their scam. As our digital lives continue to grow, online scams have evolved to become more deceptive. Instagram phishing is just one of many believable schemes that can easily claim you as a victim. So, learning how to identify an Instagram scam is essential for all users on the platform. Instagram scammers use various methods to coerce you into being a victim of theft or an attack. Usually, these cybercriminals are seeking something valuable, like money or confidential information. Some may even try to use you as a vehicle to spread malicious code to loved ones or co-workers. Effective scams tend to tap into your emotions and pretend to be trustworthy.