How fraudsters are using Facebook, Insta, Twitter to empty your account: Here are safety tips

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) have become hotspots for fraudulent activities and scams, according to a recent report by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF). The report highlights how scammers are using these platforms to target unsuspecting users, with social media-related crimes accounting for 12.02% of online offenses.

These scams come in various forms, including online shopping fraud and social engineering. Scammers often create fake profiles to spread false information or deceive users. They offer deals that claim to sell premium products at incredibly low prices, and even send friend requests to gain financial benefits.

To protect yourself from such scams on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms, here are some simple tips to follow:

1. Avoid sharing personal information like your address, mobile number, or personal email on social media platforms.
2. Refrain from publicly sharing personal pictures on social media accounts.
3. Verify and confirm friend requests before accepting them.
4. Never click on suspicious links or download apps from unverified sources.
5. Use unique passwords for each social media account and email.
6. Enable multi-factor authentication for your social media accounts and disable profile visibility from public searches.
7. Remember to log out after each session.
8. Never share your social media credentials with anyone.
9. Set the privacy settings of your social media profiles to the most restricted level, especially for public viewing.
10. Exercise caution when sharing photographs, videos, statuses, and comments.
11. Criminals can gather enough information about users from their posts and profiles, so be mindful of what you share.

By following these precautions, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to social media scams. Stay vigilant and protect your personal information online.