Spot These 5 Common Snapchat Scams Before It‘s Too Late
Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms today, with over 300 million daily active users sharing photos, videos, and messages. However, the app‘s massive user base also attracts scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting victims for financial gain.
Snapchat‘s demographics skew young, with 75% of users under age 25 and 90% between 13-24 years old. This young audience may be especially vulnerable to scams. A recent study found that 53% of Snapchat users have little or no knowledge about scams on the platform.
I learned about the prevalence of Snapchat scams the hard way – my teenage cousin fell for a phishing scam and lost access to her account and all her photos. She felt confused and angry that someone had tricked her, and it made me wonder: how many other young people are falling for similar scams every day?
In this guide, I‘ll break down the five most common Snapchat scams, how they work, and most importantly – how to spot and avoid them. I‘ll share real-life examples, expert insights, and actionable tips you can use to protect yourself. Let‘s dive in!
- The Private Snapchat Account Scam
How It Works:
Scammers create fake "premium" or "private" Snapchat accounts using photos stolen from models and influencers. They send unsolicited messages offering access to exclusive explicit content for a fee, typically $10-$30. If you pay, they take your money and block you.
These scammers often impersonate real adult entertainers. In a viral Reddit post, one model revealed that over 1,500 fake accounts were using her name and photos to scam people. They act flirtatious and promise special treatment for "premium subscribers."
Many victims have shared their experiences online:
According to cybersecurity firm Tessian, this scam spiked in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 155% increase in accounts sending mass Premium Snapchat offer messages. Scammers exploit people‘s loneliness and desire for connection in tough times.
How to Avoid It:
- Never send money to a stranger on Snapchat, period.
- Be wary of any unsolicited messages with offers that seem too good to be true.
- Check if an account is verified before engaging. Fake accounts won‘t have the verification badge.
- Phishing Scams
How They Work:
Phishing is a type of scam where fraudsters trick you into revealing personal info like your login details or bank account number. On Snapchat, they send messages with malicious links that lead to fake websites designed to steal your info.
These links may claim to offer a way to recover a locked account, earn money from home, or see who‘s viewing your profile. The sites look legit but entering any info gives the scammer access to your real accounts.
Snapchat is a popular phishing target for a few reasons:
- Many users keep payment methods saved in the app for sending/receiving money
- People often reuse the same login details across multiple apps/sites
- User demographics skew young and less experienced in spotting scams
One cybersecurity firm found Snapchat accounts for 13% of all social media phishing attempts in 2021. And according to FBI data, phishing attacks cost Americans over $54 million in losses last year alone.
How to Avoid It:
- Never click links from unknown senders promising free stuff or asking you to verify your info
- Check the URL before entering login details on any site. Scam sites often use misspelled URLs.
- Set up two-factor authentication on your Snapchat account for an extra layer of security
- The Friend Impersonation Scam
How It Works:
In this insidious scam, fraudsters hack into your friend‘s Snapchat account or create a fake profile using their name/photos. Then they message you pretending to be your friend in urgent need of financial help.
The scammer may claim they‘ve been in an accident, lost access to their bank account, or need to borrow money for an emergency expense like car repairs. They pressure you to send money quickly before you get suspicious.
This scam exploits people‘s emotions and willingness to help loved ones. A 2020 study from the University of Florida found people are significantly more likely to fall for impersonation scams from friends vs. strangers.
Examples posted on Reddit show just how convincing these impersonations can be:
How to Avoid It:
- Be wary of any urgent requests for money, even from friends. Scammers create false emergencies.
- Contact your friend through another method (call, text, etc.) to verify it‘s really them asking.
- Ask questions only your real friend would know. Scammers can‘t answer specifics.
- The Romance Scam
How It Works:
Romance scams are a type of emotional manipulation where fraudsters pose as potential love interests to trick victims out of money. On Snapchat, they often claim to be deployed military members, international businesspeople, or aid workers in need of funds.
The scammer initiates a conversation and turns on the charm, bombarding the victim with flirtatious messages and professions of love. As the fake relationship progresses, they start asking for money to cover travel expenses, medical bills, legal fees, etc. Some even propose marriage before disappearing.
Romance scams are on the rise as more people use social media for dating. The FTC reported a record $547 million in losses to romance scams in 2021, up nearly 80% from the previous year. Dating coach Amie Leadingham says isolation from COVID lockdowns and the trend of international "digital nomad" lifestyles have provided scammers with additional cover stories.
According to the FBI, common lies romance scammers tell include:
- Being a U.S. citizen working/serving/studying abroad
- Needing help overcoming a financial crisis to visit you
- Planning to start a business and build a life together in the U.S.
How to Avoid It:
- Be cautious of anyone who falls in love abnormally fast without meeting in-person
- Never send money or gifts to an online love interest you haven‘t met
- Do a reverse image search of profile photos. Scammers often use stolen pics.
- The Sugar Mommy/Daddy Scam
How It Works:
So-called "sugar dating" is a controversial trend where wealthy individuals (sugar daddies/mommies) provide younger partners (sugar babies) with financial support in exchange for companionship. While some people engage in legitimate sugar dating, it‘s also rife with scammers.
On Snapchat, fraudsters pose as rich sugar daddies or mommies and promise large payments for chatting or flirting. They may try to impress you by detailing a luxurious lifestyle. Once you agree to an arrangement, they claim they need you to pay a small deposit or fee upfront before they can begin sending you money.
Another common tactic involves fake checks, as seen in this news story:
<insert quote/summary of 17-year-old sugar baby check scam>
Experts say sugar dating scams often target financially vulnerable college students. A 2021 survey found 3 in 10 students would consider "sugaring" to pay for school.
How to Avoid It:
- Never pay upfront fees to get a bigger payment later. It‘s a hallmark of advance-fee scams.
- Be extremely cautious of depositing checks from strangers, which can bounce after you send "back pay"
- Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Staying Safe with Social Catfish
One of the best ways to protect yourself from Snapchat scams is to verify the true identity of anyone who contacts you. That‘s where Social Catfish comes in.
Social Catfish is an online investigation service that helps you find info on people using:
- Email addresses
- Social media handles
- Phone numbers
- Images (reverse image search)
The site uses powerful data scrapers and proprietary algorithms to scan thousands of records and generate a detailed report on the person, including:
- Full name and known aliases
- Age, birthdate, and relatives
- Current address and property records
- Criminal records and sex offender status
- Social media profiles on 120+ platforms
You can use Social Catfish to quickly see if someone on Snapchat is using a fake name or stolen photos. Armed with this knowledge, you can block and report scammers before falling for their tricks.
Conclusion
Snapchat scams are more prevalent and sophisticated than ever, but you don‘t have to fall victim. Being aware of the most common schemes and knowing what red flags to look out for can help you stay safe while enjoying all the app has to offer.
Remember, if anyone on Snapchat sends you an unsolicited message with a request for money or personal info, be on high alert. Don‘t feel pressured to respond right away. Take time to assess the situation rationally and look for warning signs of a scam.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Never send payment to someone you haven‘t met in person, no matter how convincing their story
- Double-check any links before clicking and avoid logging in to outside sites with your Snapchat
- Set your account to private so only friends you approve can contact you
- Use a verification tool like Social Catfish to check if someone is using a fake identity
While it‘s upsetting that so many scammers are abusing Snapchat to exploit people, learning to identify their techniques puts the power back in your hands. Trust your gut, be assertive in saying no, and encourage your friends to stay vigilant too. Together, we can help stop the spread of scams and create a safer social media experience for all.
FAQ
How can I tell if a Snapchat account is fake?
There are a few key things to look out for:
- Username: Fake accounts often have usernames with a lot of numbers or gibberish
- Profile photo: Scammers use stolen pics of models/influencers. Reverse image search to check.
- Account age: Brand new accounts with very little activity are suspicious
- Engagement: Real accounts should have friends, a snap score, and authentic comments
What should I do if a scammer contacts me on Snapchat?
If you suspect someone who contacted you is a scammer:
- Take screenshots of your conversation in case you need evidence
- Block the account to prevent further contact
- Report the account to Snapchat for impersonation, fraud, or harassment
- Consider reporting to the FTC, FBI, or your local law enforcement if you lost money
How can I get my money back if I fell for a Snapchat scam?
The process for recovering money from a scam depends on how you paid:
- Credit card: Contact your card issuer and ask to dispute the charges as fraud
- Bank transfer: Alert your bank‘s fraud department to see if they can reverse the transaction
- Gift cards: Contact the company to see if they can cancel redemption. This rarely works.
- Cryptocurrency: Unfortunately crypto payments are usually irreversible
Your best bet is to collect evidence (screenshots, receipts, etc.) and file reports with law enforcement. They may be able to track down the scammer, but there‘s no guarantee you‘ll recoup your losses. Consider it a hard-learned lesson and be vigilant in the future.
