Phishing

A scammer sends you a message on social media that appears to be from someone you know, a well-known brand or celebrity or a legitimate source, such as your bank or social media platform. The message will usually ask you to click on a link and enter your login details. Once you do, the scammer will have access to your account and can steal your personal information.

To avoid phishing scams, always double-check where the message has come from and whether the web address looks legitimate. Remember, you should never click on links from unknown sources.

Fake advertisements

Scammers create fake advertisements for free giveaways, products or investment opportunities — sometimes they claim they’re endorsed by celebrities. To register, you’ll be asked to provide personal information, such as your name, address and phone number. This information could then be used by the scammer for identity theft, where they can gain access to your other accounts, including your bank.

To avoid this scam, you should never share your personal information with unknown sources, and you should avoid any offers that look too good to be true.

Romance scams

A scammer will contact you out of the blue and form a relationship with you online, often sharing personal stories over the course of a few weeks or months. They’ll then ask you to send them money, often for an emergency, travel expenses or business opportunity. Find out more about romance scams here.

To avoid this scam, you should keep your social media accounts on private and only accept friend requests and messages from people you know.