Social media scams

If you get a message on social media that seems to be from your family or a friend who’s in need of help, it could be a fraudster.

A random message, or one from an account that’s been hacked, may be a scam to steal your money.

Do you want to know the tricks a fraudster may use so you can avoid their scams?

  • Hacked account

    If a fraudster hacks into one of your family or friend’s social media accounts, they could pretend to be them. Hacked accounts are not always closed down by social media companies. Learn how to spot and avoid this scam.

    This is an image of a hacked account scam message.

    Fraudsters pretend to be family or a friend

    It’s easier for a fraudster to pretend to be someone you know if they hack into their social media profile, like Instagram. Then they can copy their style and send a message which seems real. Fraudsters are usually after your money. Call your family or friend to check they’re okay.

    Did you expect to get a message?

    It might be a shock if your family or a friend gets in touch to ask you for money. A fraudster will message you out of the blue to say there’s a problem so you feel sorry for them and want to help right away.

    Do they need you to act right away?

    Fraudsters will say anything to convince you to act quickly without checking. A fraudster will want you to send money to a new account, or click on a link. Always take your time to talk with the person who’s meant to have sent a message.

    Will they talk on the phone?

    If you try to call the number from a message, a fraudster won’t answer or the line will be unclear. Fraudsters will make up any excuse for why they can’t talk. The real reason is because they’re pretending to be someone else. Call on a number you trust to talk with your family or friend.

    Do they want money?

    Fraudsters pretend to be someone you trust as it may convince you to help. All they really want is for you to send your money to a new account. But if you don’t reply, a fraudster can’t trick you into believing them. Delete any message like this. Talk with your family or friend on a number you trust to check they’re okay.

    If you think a friend or family member’s account has been hacked, call them right away.

    Report any suspicious messages on the app or social media site where they appear.

Random attack

Fraudsters just need your phone number or social media profile name to be able to send you a message. 

This is an image of random attack scam message.

Fraudsters pretend to be family or a friend

This scam is common on social media, such as WhatsApp, but also happens by text. You’ll get a simple message that says ‘Hi’ from an unknown number or profile. Fraudsters want you to reply and to give away personal details so they can continue chatting and win your trust.  

Did you expect to get a message?

If a message comes out of the blue and you’re not sure who it’s from, talk with the person it claims to be. Call them on a number you trust, not the one from the message. Fraudsters will tell you about a problem to ask for your help. This is a trick to make you feel sorry for them so you send them money.

Do they know your name?

A random scam message is simple because fraudsters won’t know anything about you. They need you to reply with some details, like your name or location, to pull you into the scam. An unknown message could be a fraudster fishing for your details. Never reply. Just delete it.

Will they talk on the phone?

If you try to call the number from a message, a fraudster won’t answer or the line will be unclear. Fraudsters will make up any excuse for why they can’t talk. The real reason is because they’re pretending to be someone else. The only thing you need to do is to call on a number you trust to talk with your family or friend.

Do they want money?

Fraudsters pretend to be someone you trust as it may convince you to help. All they really want is for you to send your money to a new account. But if you don’t reply, a fraudster can’t trick you into believing them. Delete any message like this. Talk with your family or friend on a number you trust to check they’re okay.

Report any suspicious text to your provider for free on 7726 then delete it.

On WhatsApp, press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ then follow the instructions.

Real life example of a social media scam message

The police shared this message to warn people that anyone could receive this scam.

The first incoming message began:

Hello mum, I lost my phone a hour ago, still searching but can’t find it, I’m using my old phone now. You can save this number.

The woman replied: 
Hope you find it Soph, number saved xxx

The fraudster messaged back: 
Thank you xxx

No luck yet xxx 
replied the woman.

The fraudster messaged: 
No still searching x Are you busy right now? Because I want to ask you for a favor, I’m trying to get my banking app on this old phone but it doesn’t work, and now I’m stressing a bit because I have to pay a bill x

The woman answered: 
Ok Soph anything x

Give me the details Soph x

Then the fraudster sent: 
I’ve just made a online bank account so I can make online payments. Should I send you the details?

A woman in Cheshire got this message on WhatsApp that’s full of warning signs.

  1. General greeting that claims to be from a family member.
  2. A reason that explains the new number.
  3. They ask for money to help with a problem.
  4. They won’t speak on the phone.

Personal details like her daughter’s name gave fraudsters something to use in the chat. The old phone ‘can't ring’ was their excuse for not being able to talk.

If you get a message like this, never reply. Always talk with the person before you do anything else.

Protect your family and friends: tell them about this scam.

Other scams fraudsters use to trick you

Learn how fraudsters can steal your money over the phone, through a fake dating profile or when you buy online.

Scam calls

Find out how fraudsters can use your details to win your trust.

Avoid scam calls

Dating scams

Learn how fraudsters with fake profiles just want your money.

How to date online safely

Buying online scams

Fraudsters sell fake items online or ones that don’t exist.

Buy online safely

Learn about the latest scams

Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to try to steal your details and money. Discover which scams are common right now.

Go to latest scams

Have you been targeted by fraudsters?

Contact us right away if you think you've been scammed. We can then guide you on what to do next.

Contact us now

Stay scam safe

Find out how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud

Stay scam safe

Find out how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud