Staying Safe on Social Media

Social media is an excellent tool for staying connected with friends and family, but it’s also where scammers search for unsuspecting people. According to an article from AARP, scams on social media more than doubled in recent years, with more than 1 in 4 people reporting a loss of money related to fraud that started with a post, ad, or message on social media. 

The good news is that you can prevent scams on social media by taking preventative measures and noticing red flags before someone commits fraud. 

What types of scams are happening on social media?

Social media scams may come from posts, advertisements, or messages. Usually, the goal of a scammer is to get money or to steal someone’s identity. 

• Monetary- The most common type of scam, or what most people associate with online scams, is the loss of money. Individuals will try to influence people to send money, sometimes by pretending to be friends or posting fake shopping and investment posts.
• Shopping scams- People can buy and sell things through social media. Sometimes a scammer will post something for sale, ask you to send money, then never deliver the item. 
• Investment scams- A scammer may ask you to invest in something, like a business idea, and then cut off communication once they receive the money. 
• Identity- While identity theft is less common on social media, it can still happen. Some scammers post fake ads to get individuals to share personal information to steal one’s identity.
• Romance- Some scammers like to prey on individuals online and pretend to be romantically interested, hoping they’ll get money or gifts.

Tips for staying safe online

Scams are avoidable, and there are precautions you can take to reduce your scam risk. 

• Make your accounts private. Social media accounts are either public, which means everyone can see what you post, or private, meaning only your friends with connections can see your profile. There’s no advantage to having a public profile if you’re not using social media for business, so it’s always best to keep a private account. 
• Don’t accept messages or invites from people you don’t know. Even if your accounts are private, people can send messages or requests to you, although messages will go to a separate folder to indicate that they’re not coming from someone you know. If you don’t know the person sending the message or friend request, don’t respond. 
• Never send personal information to someone through social media. Never share your credit card numbers, bank accounts, social security number, or address with someone online. No one on social media needs to know your personal information. 
• Never send money to someone you don’t know. You should never feel obligated to send money to someone you don’t know, regardless of how threatening or demanding they may seem. You can report and block their account if someone asks you to send them money directly on social media. You can also report any fraud attempts to the government.
• Avoid buying things through social media. If you want to purchase something online, do it through a secure website, not social media. 

Social media is an excellent tool to keep older adults connected to loved ones, and having a Visiting Angels caregiver nearby can help ensure their online safety. Our Rockwall office works with seniors in Rockwall and the surrounding Texas communities. If you’d like to learn more about our services or schedule a complimentary consultation, send us a message or call 214.703.8123.