There are many new social media apps that people use to communicate with their friends and family. However, one of the most popular ones among scammers is Snapchat.
Snapchat allows users to send short videos or pictures, which disappear after a few seconds. While this app can be a lot of fun, there are also some risks.
There are several things you can do to protect yourself from Snapchat scams. First, be sure only to add people you trust to your friends’ list.
This app seems like it would be great for sending photos, but there is one problem: scams! Check out this article about how you can protect yourself from these scams on Snapchat!
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Snapchat Scams and How to Detect Them
1: Fake accounts that ask for personal information
Fake accounts on Snapchat are becoming more and more common as the platform grows. These accounts will frequently send messages requesting personal information, such as your phone number or email address, in exchange for their information.
It is not a good idea to share this information with anyone because it may lead to identity theft or other scams.
Instead, you should block anyone who sends you a message who you don’t know and report the account to Snapchat if you receive one. You can do this by selecting ‘Report’ from the drop-down menu in the top left corner of the chat screen.
Be especially careful if any of these red flags are present:
- The account asks for money.
- The account says it’s from a celebrity or another well-known person
- The account claims to offer free things like gift cards
2: Accounts that send you a friend request to spam ads
A classic Snapchat scam involves someone sending you a friend request and then spamming your story with advertisements. Accepting friend requests from someone you don’t know is extremely risky, especially if they appear to be attempting to sell you anything.
Immediately block and report any accounts sending you unsolicited messages or stories full of advertisements to Snapchat. If you’re ever in doubt about whether an offer or message is authentic, conduct some online research before proceeding with the transaction or activity.
You should be informed of the various scams out there to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one. Not to mention the fact that it is inconvenient when someone attempts to swindle you on Snapchat!
Aside from that, be cautious when clicking on links in messages because they may direct you to websites that contain viruses or other malware. Finally, always make sure that you are downloading from a reputable source when downloading anything from the internet.
3: Faked celebrity account scams
These are probably the most common type of scams on Snapchat. Accounts that look like a celebrity account are created, but they are fake.
The goal of these scammers is usually to get people to follow them to send out spam messages then or try and trick people into giving away personal information. So always be careful when you’re following any account on Snapchat, especially if it’s someone you don’t know personally.
If you’re not sure whether an account is real or not, do some research online before you add them as a friend. There are plenty of websites and articles to help you spot a fake profile. And if you ever come across one, make sure to report it to Snapchat so that they can take action.
Another thing to look out for is fake contests or giveaways. Scammers often promote these on Snapchat, and they can be compelling.
So before you enter any contest you see on the app, make sure to do your research and make sure it’s legit. There are a lot of scams out there, so it’s always important to be vigilant!
4: Scams involving explicit photos
Another scam is when someone asks for your Snapchat username and convinces you to give them an explicit photo of yourself. Once they have this photo, they will blackmail you with it.
This scam is often called sextortion, and it can be very frightening for the victim. Be extremely careful about who you share your Snapchat account with – even if you know them offline. This scam is becoming increasingly common, and it’s essential to be aware of it.
If you are ever approached with this scam, do not respond and report the user immediately. Snapchat is working hard to shut down these accounts, but it’s essential that we all remain vigilant to keep ourselves safe.
Never send nude photos or videos to someone over Snapchat – even if they claim to be trustworthy. If you receive a compromising image, delete it immediately and block the sender. Remember safety first!
5: Hacking into your Snapchat account and sending out messages
Many people have fallen victim to this scam. Unfortunately, this is one of the most popular scams on Snapchat because it’s so easy for people to do; there are countless tutorials online that allow you to hack into someone’s account if they use a simple password or security question, which many people may not be aware of.
Hacking and sending messages without consent can also lead to stalker situations and cyberbullying and sexual harassment, among other things.
Not only should teens know how much information about themselves they put out onto social media, but they need to understand who has access to what content and whether the person posting pictures/videos with their username will remain anonymous.
Snapchat users need to be aware of the scams out there and take steps to protect themselves. One way to do this is by using strong passwords and security questions, not giving away too much personal information, and being vigilant about who they add as friends on the app.
Some Open Questions
What can you do if someone is using your account?
If you suspect that someone is using your account, you can change your password immediately. To do this in iOS, go to the Settings menu > select “Snapchat” > tap on Password and then enter a new one twice. On Android, go into Snapchat settings by tapping the ghost icon, followed by clicking on “Account” and changing it there. Also, be sure to enable two-factor authentication on your account.
What should you do if someone sends you a scam message?
If you receive a scam message, immediately screenshot it and send it to Snapchat’s Trust & Safety team. You can do this by emailing [email protected] or tweeting @snapchatsupport. Do not forward the scam message to any of your friends – this could potentially infect their phones with malware.
What should I do if my snapcode doesn’t work?
If the Snapcode does not load, open the Snapchat app on iPhone or Android. Next, swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal ‘My Snapcode’ & Tips buttons above Stories Screen. Next, tap the Snapchat button for step-by-step instructions, then tap “Verify” when prompted. Once you have completed those steps, your code will be verified and ready to use! Note: Ensure that the camera is pointed at the QR code for accurate scanning.
Could You Be A Victim Of A Snapchat Scam?!
It is important that you perform a quick background search on who you are actually speaking to on the internet (you can do that here) to see whether you are being conned into getting a security/hookup ID. The common questions that spring to mind are:
- Are they using fake identities?
- Am I really speaking to a real person from the USA?
To help the users of this site we have partnered with BeenVerified so you can search exactly that. This searching service may help reveal almost everything about this romance scammer and if they are a real person!
Helpful Information Available on BeenVerified:
- Criminal Records (Please search this!)
- Photos (Helps search if same photos are used for multiple profiles with different names)
- Email Addresses
- Phone Numbers
- Social Profiles (IMPORTANT – Do they have a real social profile or multiple)
- Home Addresses
- Relatives & Associates
- Sex Offenders Register (Be safe who you are meeting!)
- And More…
If you have the slightest doubt about who you are speaking to… Please use this service!
Takeaway
Now that you know about the different types of Snapchat scams, here are a few tips to help you stay safe: Never give out your personal information or passwords on Snapchat or any other app.
Be suspicious of messages that appear to be from friends but ask for money or personal information.
These tips should help keep you safe from scammers on Snapchat and other platforms. So stay vigilant and always be aware of what’s happening around you! Thanks for reading!