news

BBB urges caution with ‘verified’ Instagram, X and Facebook accounts

Vaseline August 25, 2024

Better Business Bureau
| Specially for The Canton Repository

X (formerly known as Twitter) and Meta both offer programs that allow users to pay for a “verified account.”

Social media has long been a favorite place for scammers. Given these two facts, businesses and consumers need to be alert to how scammers will use this latest twist to their advantage.

BBB monitors reports from BBB Scam Tracker and recently the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and Amazon (a BBB accredited company) partnered to educate consumers about identity fraud.

In recent phishing scams, scammers have targeted companies and individuals with verified accounts. This measure should help prevent scams.

How the scam works

You receive a direct message or email that appears to come directly from X, Instagram, or another social media platform. It states that your verified account has been flagged and that you need to re-verify it. You could lose your verified account badge if you don’t respond. For example, some X users have reported receiving direct messages or emails stating that their blue verified badge has been flagged as spam and that it will be deleted unless they appeal the decision.

The scam message asks you to click on a link or download a form to start the appeal process and re-verify your account. If you click, you could download malware onto your laptop or mobile device. This could collect your personal information without you knowing. If you fill out forms or respond with the requested information, scammers could hack your account or use your personal information to commit identity theft.

How to Avoid Social Media Scams

● Understand how social media platforms work. Familiarize yourself with a social media platform’s policies before you use it. For example, X will never send emails asking for login credentials, or emails with attachments. Being clear about the platform’s policies and procedures will reduce the likelihood of you falling for a scammer’s correspondence, even if it looks legitimate.

● Be wary of unsolicited messages. Be skeptical of out-of-the-blue messages, whether it’s a DM, an email, or a message on a messaging app, especially if they ask you to click on links or open attachments. Instead, go straight to the source—the platform’s official customer service center—to determine if the message is legitimate. Read more about this Facebook phishing scam that targets business pages.

● Be aware of the signs of fraud. Poor spelling, poor grammar, pressure to take immediate action, demands for payment and scaremongering are all warning signs that could indicate a scam.

● Always protect your personal information. Never give a stranger your login credentials or other personal information without verifying the legitimacy of their request. Most reputable companies will not ask you for your login credentials.

● Keep an eye on your accounts. Make sure to monitor your social media accounts and search for your name or brand to make sure there are no impostors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION – If you have been contacted by a scammer, please report your experience to BBB Scam Tracker to help other consumers recognize the scam. Find more tips on social media scams and learn how to spot fake social media accounts at BBB.org/AvoidScams.