If you’ve fallen victim to a social media scam, it’s important to take swift and thorough actions to protect your information and prevent further harm. Here’s a detailed guide to reporting and recovering from such an incident:
1. Identify the Scam:
- Common Social Media Scams:
- Fake giveaways or contests.
- “See who viewed your profile” scams.
- Messages from fake profiles or impersonated friends asking for money or personal information.
- Clickbait links leading to malicious sites.
2. Change Your Passwords:
- Start with the compromised social media account. Then, change passwords for other important accounts (especially if you reuse passwords, which is not recommended).
3. Check Account Settings:
- Look for any unauthorized changes. This includes checking linked email addresses, phone numbers, and third-party apps with account access.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Enable MFA/2FA on your social media accounts and any other accounts offering this added security layer.
5. Scan for Malware:
- If you clicked on any suspicious links or downloaded files, scan your device with a reputable antivirus or antimalware software. Preferably, scan with multiple. For example, if you already have Bitdefender installed, scan with Norton Power Eraser, Emsisoft EEK, Malwarebytes, and Eset Online Scanner.
6. Report the Scam to the Social Media Platform:
- Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn have dedicated reporting mechanisms for scams and fake profiles.
- For instance, on Facebook, go to the specific profile or page > click on the three dots (…) > choose ‘Find Support or Report Profile’ > follow the prompts.
7. Document Everything:
- Take screenshots of the scam, including messages or posts.
- Document any financial losses or unauthorized transactions.
8. Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company:
- If you’ve shared financial information or believe your financial accounts have been compromised, notify your bank or credit card company immediately. They can guide you on the next steps, including disputing charges or issuing new cards.
9. Monitor Your Accounts:
- Keep an eye on financial and online accounts for any unusual activity.
10. Report to Authorities:
- Depending on the severity, consider filing a report with local law enforcement.
- In the U.S., you can report online scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via their website.
11. Educate & Spread Awareness:
- Inform your friends and followers (without sharing scam links) about the scam to prevent them from falling for it.
- Educate yourself on common online scams to protect against future threats.
12. Check for Signs of Identity Theft:
- If personal information was shared, monitor for signs of identity theft. Consider signing up for identity monitoring services.
- Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports for U.S. residents.
13. Review Privacy Settings:
- Review the privacy settings on your social media accounts to ensure you’re only sharing information with trusted individuals or networks.
Remember: Scammers constantly evolve their tactics, so always be cautious. Never share personal or financial information unless you know an entity’s legitimacy. Regularly educating yourself about the latest scam trends can help you stay one step ahead and help you recover from a social media scam. You may also like our article on recognizing when your computer has a virus; read it HERE.
For further info from Tripwire, click HERE, and from the FTC, click HERE.
