Beware of Social Media Scams: Impersonation Tactics After Complaints and Interactions

In the world of social media, where we often turn to voice frustrations or engage with content, scammers are lurking, ready to take advantage of unsuspecting users. I recently encountered a scam that highlights just how easy it is for them to prey on people, not only after posting complaints but also when engaging with public figures online.

Here’s how it works: after you post a complaint about a company on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram, scammers quickly swoop in, pretending to be representatives from the company you’re complaining about. They will message you, posing as customer service, and try to build trust by offering to help resolve your issue.

The scam escalates when they start gathering personal information about you. If you have your website linked to your profile, they could easily access it to find your phone number. With that, they take things a step further—they call you, pretending to be from the company, claiming they’re here to fix your problem.

During the conversation, they’ll ask for your name, email, and other personal details, seemingly innocent, but with a much more sinister goal in mind: a password reset. By requesting the verification code sent to your phone (via SMS), they gain access to your account. If you're distracted, frustrated, or just eager to resolve the issue, it’s easy to fall into the trap.

It doesn’t stop there. Scammers also target those who like or comment on posts from social media personas, such as financial or self-improvement gurus. When you engage with content from these popular figures, you may find scammers contacting you, pretending to be the guru or someone from their team. Sometimes, they’ll simply pose as a “friendly” person who wants to connect—but they always have a scammer’s agenda.

By impersonating trusted figures, or by playing the part of an enthusiastic supporter, they aim to get you to lower your guard. Once they’ve made contact, they use similar tactics: gathering personal information, steering the conversation toward something sensitive, and then setting up a scam, such as trying to reset your account password.

How to Protect Yourself:

 -   Be cautious when posting complaints or engaging with public figures on social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram.

 -   Avoid sharing personal information openly on your profile, especially contact details like phone numbers.

 -   If someone contacts you claiming to be from a company or a social media figure’s team, verify their identity by reaching out through official channels.

  -  Be suspicious of “friendly” strangers online who seem overly eager to connect, especially if they bring up sensitive topics quickly.

 -   Never share verification codes or other sensitive details with anyone claiming to help you with a password reset.

Scammers are always looking for their next target, so stay alert and protect your personal information. Whether you're airing a grievance or engaging with your favourite social media personas, taking a few extra steps to verify who you’re communicating with can save you from falling victim to these deceptive schemes.