How To Protect Yourself From Scams on Social Media
Practical steps to reduce your exposure to scams on social media — including fake shops, giveaway fraud, and account impersonation.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Social media is one of the fastest-growing channels for scammers. Fake shops using stolen brand imagery, bogus giveaways, romance scammers, investment promoters, and account impersonators all operate across every major platform. The good news is that a few account security habits and a healthy scepticism about too-good-to-be-true offers cut through the majority of attempts. You don't need to stop using social media — you just need to use it with your eyes open.
Scam types common on social media
Recognising the formats makes them much easier to spot before any harm is done.
- Fake shops using copied brand photos and steep discounts
- Giveaway scams — 'share and win' or celebrity prize draws that harvest your data
- Investment and crypto promotions, often using stolen celebrity endorsements
- Romance and friendship scams that start with a DM
- Account impersonation — clones of your profile contacting your friends
Secure your account
Account security reduces the chance of being impersonated or having your account hijacked to scam your contacts.
- Enable two-factor authentication on all social media accounts
- Use a unique, strong password for each platform
- Review your privacy settings — limit who can see your friends list and posts
- Check for existing impersonation accounts of you and report them
Verify before you buy or share
Apply a simple verification habit before you purchase from any social-media-linked shop or engage with prize offers.
- Search the shop name plus 'reviews' or 'scam' before buying
- Legitimate giveaways rarely require payment, app installs, or bank details
- Check whether the brand's official website links to the social account
- If an offer only exists on social media with no independent trace, treat it with caution
If you are impersonated
If someone creates a fake profile using your name or photos, act quickly to minimise how many people it can reach.
- Report the account to the platform immediately
- Warn your contacts via your genuine account
- Screenshot the impersonation profile as evidence before reporting
Frequently asked questions
I ordered from a social media shop and nothing arrived — what can I do?
Contact your bank or card provider and explain you did not receive the goods — you may be able to raise a chargeback claim. Report the shop to the platform and to your national consumer protection body. Keep all order confirmations and messages as evidence.
How can I tell if a giveaway is real?
Genuine competitions from verified brand accounts usually don't require payment, bank details, or app installs. Check that the account is the official verified brand account, not a clone with a slightly different handle. When in doubt, visit the brand's own website to see if the competition is listed there.
Someone has cloned my profile — will the platform remove it?
Most platforms have a reporting pathway for impersonation that results in removal, usually within a few days. Report as impersonation (not just as spam) and provide your genuine account details. Warn your friends via your real account in the meantime.