Snapchat, a social media app known for its multimedia messaging, interactive maps, and temporary content, has attracted millions of users. However, its popularity also attracts cybercriminals who use the platform to execute various fraudulent schemes. These scams often masquerade as legitimate opportunities, including free samples, promotional offers, and contest giveaways, to steal money or personal information. Understanding the common tactics used by scammers is essential for consumers seeking genuine freebies and avoiding financial loss or identity theft.
Common Snapchat Scams Targeting Freebie Seekers
Scammers on Snapchat employ a range of tactics, often mimicking strategies used on other social media platforms. Their methods are designed to exploit trust, curiosity, and the desire for a good deal. According to the provided sources, these scams follow a general pattern: a scammer creates a fake account, finds targets, and executes a scam to trick users into sending money or information.
Fake Contest and Giveaway Scams
One prevalent method involves phony contests or giveaways. Scammers create posts promising valuable prizes, such as an all-expense-paid vacation to Europe, to lure participants. These fraudulent contests are designed to steal personal information and extort money. A typical scam message might read: "What’s up, my guys?! I’m coming at you guys today with an insane contest you won’t want to miss. I’m giving away one all-expense paid vacation to Europe for one lucky winner and the guest of their choice. All you have to do to enter the contest is Cash App me $25 for each entry. Entries close in five days, so sign up NOW!"
Tell-tale signs of a fake contest scam include: - Requesting personal information. - Requiring an entry fee. - Not publishing official rules. - Promising prizes that seem too good to be true.
To determine if a Snapchat contest is legitimate, consumers should look closely at who is hosting it. Verified influencers or businesses typically host real contests. Legitimate hosts will not ask for money or overly personal information and will adhere to relevant lottery and sweepstakes laws. If a suspicious giveaway is encountered, it should be reported to Snapchat support for investigation and potential removal.
Imposter and Account Recovery Scams
Imposter scams involve cybercriminals impersonating individuals or entities their targets trust, such as a friend, celebrity, or a business they follow. A common variant is the account recovery scam. In this scheme, a scammer, posing as a friend, claims to be locked out of their account and asks the target to "help recover it" by sending a code. This code is actually for the target's own account. Once the victim shares it, the scammer hijacks their profile and may demand money for its return. This method exploits the trust users have in their contacts.
Romance and "Sugar Momma/Daddy" Scams
Romance scams start when a user is approached by someone claiming to develop romantic feelings quickly. Initially, the scammer provides constant flattery, but eventually, they begin asking for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Related scams involve individuals posing as wealthy older men or women (sugar mommas or sugar daddies) who claim to be lonely and willing to pay for attention. The scammer often requests a small commitment, such as sending a few messages a day, but the ultimate goal is financial gain. Signs include professing love after a very short time, having excuses for not going live, and stories that don’t add up.
Fake Job and Money-Making Scams
Scammers also pose as friends to promote fake advertising gigs, investment opportunities, or influencer sponsorships. They may claim to have already made thousands of dollars and offer the target a chance to do the same. These opportunities often require the victim to send a deposit to "sign up." The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that Americans lost nearly $2 billion to social media scams last year, with many originating on platforms like Snapchat.
Premium Private Account Scams
A specific scam involves the creation of fake "premium" or "private" Snapchat accounts. Scammers use photos stolen from models and influencers to send unsolicited messages offering access to exclusive explicit content for a fee, typically between $10 and $30. Once payment is received, they block the victim. These scammers often impersonate real adult entertainers and exploit loneliness and a desire for connection. According to cybersecurity firm Tessian, this scam saw a 155% increase in accounts sending mass premium offer messages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a type of scam where fraudsters trick users into revealing personal information, such as login credentials or bank account numbers. On Snapchat, this can occur through direct messages that appear to be from a trusted source, urging the user to click a link or provide sensitive data.
How to Identify Fake Accounts and Scams
To protect themselves from scams, users should learn to identify suspicious accounts and messages. Several indicators can help distinguish a fake account from a legitimate one:
- Snapscore: A user's Snapscore shows their activity level. If an account claims to be an influencer but has a very low Snapscore (e.g., a few hundred), it is likely a scam.
- Snap Map: Check if the account's real-life location in the Snap Map matches what they claim in their profile.
- Reverse Image Search: Scammers often steal profile or Story images. Users can upload a photo to Google Images to see its origin and determine if it has been taken from another source.
- Google the Organization: If someone pitches a job opportunity or requests a meeting, do a quick online search to verify the person and company are real.
- Message Quality: Scam messages often contain misspellings, incorrect grammar, or awkward phrasing.
- Bitmoji: Most real Snapchat users have a Bitmoji. The absence of one can be a red flag. For celebrities, look for a Snap Star badge (a yellow star next to their name).
- Requests for Information: Be wary of any requests for login information, money, donations, photos, or personally identifying details (including those of friends).
Steps to Take If Targeted by a Scammer
If a user believes they are being targeted by a fake account or if their account has been hacked, specific actions are recommended:
- Block and Report: Use Snapchat’s in-app reporting feature to report scams, concerning content, and inappropriate behavior to the platform's Trust and Safety teams. Blocking the suspicious account is a critical first step.
- Cease Communication: Cut off contact with the suspected scammer immediately.
- Secure Your Account: If an account is compromised, follow standard account recovery procedures and change passwords for linked email addresses and other services.
Conclusion
Snapchat, like any popular social platform, is a venue where scammers operate to defraud users. Free sample and promotional offers presented on the app should be approached with extreme caution. Legitimate brands and verified influencers do not require entry fees or excessive personal information for giveaways. By recognizing the common signs of scams—such as requests for money, poor grammar, stolen images, and too-good-to-be-true prizes—consumers can better protect themselves. When in doubt, the safest course of action is to verify the source independently, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and report suspicious activity to Snapchat support.