Social media is unavoidable now. No matter how old you are, you must be having at least one social media account. With something so common and widely used, the negative is only to get attached. No matter what social media platform you are choosing, unfortunately, it is not safe from phishing scams. So it all comes down to you as a user to stay vigilant and not fall for these scams.
Therefore, here we will be discussing some quick tips with you that can help you stay safe from social media scams and how you cannot let your guard down no matter what. This is something you should never compromise on, just like you would not compromise for a subpar internet provider, especially when there are excellent providers out there as the likes of CenturyLink, offering reliable service along with Centurylink Servicio al cliente that you can count on for tech support.
So without any further deal, let’s get into the tips to avoid social media scams.
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Tips to stay safe from Social Media scams
Why using social media you should be aware, you shouldn’t trust random users so easily. Many people join social media with fake accounts to fraud people because all deals are made online through chats and calls so it will be easier for them to scam users and they will block you from the social media once they scam you.
We have mentioned six tips to stay safe from social media scams and fraud below:
Tip 1: Be sure of what you Click On
When you are scrolling through various social media sites, several links pop up. Be aware of this and do not click on random links. These links can plausibly be a part of a phishing scam that can lead you to a fake website. Also, these links are mostly based on your searches, therefore can look like something that you would be interested in. So unless it is a safe website that you have searched for yourself, do not go on clicking on the random links.
Tip 2: Keep a Strong Password
Yes, it might sound cliché, but it cannot be emphasized enough. You have to be sure to make individual and strongly unique passwords for all your social media accounts. There are scenarios where people only keep one password for all their accounts and even include their bank passwords. You do not have to be that naïve. If one of your accounts gets compromised by a hacker, all your others do not have to be. So never use the same password, and always make it strong. Anything is better than ‘12345’.
Be Cautious Of What You PostWhat you post on social media; lives on forever on the internet. Even if you decide to delete your account what you post online is permanent. So be careful of what you are sharing and what information you are disclosing, especially personal information or even a video or a photo of yourself or anyone you care about.
Tip 3: Be Selective
When it comes to friend requests, be picky. If you don’t know the person, decline their invitation. It may be a bogus and fake account. When you accept a request of an unknown you are allowing them to peak into your social life, so be mindful of who you are adding to your social media accounts. Accept the invitations only from people who you know or who have a good cause to contact you.
Tip 4: Do Not let an Under-Age Use Social Media
If you have anyone under the age of 13 in your household, do not let them have a social media account, and especially not unmonitored. Children are more naïve than adults and any mistake can lead to bigger problems. Therefore, be careful of who is using social media accounts in your homes.
Tip 5: Read the Privacy Policies
Learn about the privacy policy of any social media platform before you blindly click on ‘Agree To The Term & Conditions’ and adjust your privacy settings to limit who sees what. Always read thoroughly even if there is an update in the policy.
Tip 6: Do Not Over-Share
Be mindful of what you are sharing online as well. Any personal detail is a big no-no. By merely checking your social media sites, identity thieves can discover a lot about you, including the name of your pet and other personal information. The information can then be used by thieves to even get access to your bank accounts. Exactly! You should not undermine social media and how people can use it literally for anything.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some questions that were asked by social media users frequently on the Internet. This might be helpful for you as well.
How do I protect myself from scams?
To protect yourself from scams:
- Don’t share your login access of anything.
- Make your account secure, activate full privacy.
- Don’t provide the PIN of any cards.
- Think twice before taking any step.
- Don’t add fake accounts on social media.
How can you stay safe on social media?
To stay safe on social media
- Add people you know.
- Don’t go to unnecessary links and avoid adding cards PINs.
- Think before taking any action.
- Try to recognize fake accounts.
- Block message if you are not interested in any offers and deals.
- Read the Privacy Policies
Can I report scammers on social media?
Yes, you can report the profile of the scammers on social media who are trying to fraud with you. You can take a screenshot of the messages and report a user with attaching the documents.
You can easily find articles on how to report someone on different social media.
What to do when you get scammed on social media?
When you get scammed on social media:
- Gently ask them to refund what they have charged.
- Take a screenshot of the messages as proof.
- Report the profile of the scammer.
- If it’s a big scam, complain to the cyber law department.
Final Words
We do understand having a social media account in today’s world is very important. It does help you keep in contact with other people but be sure of what you are sharing and stay alert always. Don’t trust people easily and make sure what you are using on social media. Never share your personal information and any card pins with random users.
Hope this article was helpful for you. You can comment in the comment section if you have any confusion regarding this article.
For more tips and guidance on social media, you can visit our website Fixing Guides.
Thank You for reading this article.