Snapchat, launched in 2011, captured many peoples’ hearts by 2014 as one of the most preferable multimedia messaging platform. According to the reports, Snapchat has surpassed over 229 million users, comprising teenagers and young adults. The app delights its users with features that enable clicking photos and videos with a bunch of amusing filters, stickers, and much more. But unfortunately, while it’s a suitable messaging app to interact with family and friends, the soaring Snapchat scams make things inferior for the users.
However, if you’re a daily Snapchat user or your kids have obtained access to it, here are a few components that you need to be aware of;
IN THIS ARTICLE
What Are Snapchat Scams?
Frauds across social media platforms such as Snapchat have been escalating terrifically. As a result, many users have reported suspicious hacking activities on their accounts. Likewise, victims of Snapchat frauds have also lost money to such hacked accounts. Often, the scammers reach out to users from compromised accounts and give off a wrong impression; since users are oblivious to the account’s status.
While hackers make up for one scam category, Snapchat has been bombarded with various other schemes. With all of their focus on extorting money.
How Does The Snapchat Scam Work?
Our study reveals that there have been multiple instances where users’ accounts on Snapchat were hacked and operated by the scammer without the user’s acknowledgment. Although scammers adopt many ways, data breaching is a widely implemented practice. It is where the user’s details, including login data, are leaked.
The Snapchat money scams don’t stop there. Once they have hacked into a user account, the friends and contacts listed on their Snapchat are targeted next. The fraudulent parties act like account owners and reach out to people, requesting and seeking help. Some scammers initiate the scam with a detailed plot, stating that they need financial assistance due to a wrecked car or that a family member needs critical care and medical support. However, their main objective is to draw out money from the contacts and depart when all their means are met.
Some scams involve blackmailing to target users for money. For instance, the scammer may pose as a user struggling with technical aspects and may come forth as a friend looking for guidance. Their modus operandi is to gain login credentials or other details, which allows them to threaten and milk money from the person offering help.
Since 70% to 80% of Snapchat users make for the younger population, following influencers or connecting over videos and pictures, they’re unaware of how such scams on Snapchat persist. Furthermore, many people have linked their bank accounts to Snapchat through the Snapcash feature. Although it makes transactions more accessible and effortless, it gives scammers a direct path to your money.
How To Confirm If A Snapchat Account Is Fake Or Real?
Although detecting a scam isn’t always effortless, however; with a spike in Snapchat scams, we’ve discovered some apparent indicators. In addition, it may help differentiate between a fake and a real Snapchat account.
Look out for any of these red flags;
- An abrupt shift in their posting patterns or unusual behavior.
- If it’s a celebrity account, is it verified?
- If there’s a default profile photo or none featuring.
- There is barely any engagement, or posts that are relevant.
- You’ve been spammed with messages that you would not otherwise receive from that account
- If they are making any unanticipated requests
Types Of Snapchat Scams
Snapchat Premium Scams
It’s a frequently occurring scam where the account operator uploads videos and photos featuring sexual content. The images posted by the premium Snapchat users involve women posing seductively or sexually, leading abrupt messages to viewers. Eventually, they introduce a premium service where the onlookers can get their hands on sensual images or request for some blunt activities.
The scammer demands the victim to process payments through mobile payment channels such as the Cash app or other services. Once the payment goes through, the scammer lays off from sight or continues sending some engaging content to make more money. Sometimes it continues and transforms to sugar baby scams where scammers entice wealthy people through explicit contents in an expectation of getting financial support.
Snapchat Meetup Scams
Another scam identical to the premium Snapchat scams. The only difference that splits them apart is that the meetup frauds do not work around offering erotic content. Instead, they promise the user a face-to-face date for acquiring a great deal..
The scammers catfish users by pretending to be models. Such tricks tempt the users into sharing their bank or credit card details. The users do not receive any services against their money.
Hoax Money-Flipping Opportunities
It’s a familiar money-flipping scheme that is back on Snapchat. With all the attention drifting towards the digital world, scammers find a new space to steal an optimal amount from Snapchat users. Generally, the page is operated by a brand ambassador that showcases a luxurious life, their transformation, and more to make it believable.
The users are requested to pay a deposit as a sign in fee. However, after receiving the payment through, the user is blocked and never contacted further.
Romance Scam
A romance scam is also well-known and similar to the Snapchat meetup scam. However, unlike them, romance scams focus more on building an emotional connection and may or may not involve monetary theft. Catfishing scams also deceive users by posing as someone that they are not. Fraudulent parties also scam Snapchat users through distinct other schemes.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Snapchat Scams?
Snapchat fraudsters can get you unsuspectedly; hence, it becomes essential for every Snapchat user to learn a few protective measures. Prevent Snapchat scams with the help of the points that are mentioned below:
- Do not disclose your login credentials or other sensitive data
- Be cautious of suspicious links and avoid opening them if you’re unsure of their reliability
- Do not give in to blackmail or threats
- Verify with your friend if you notice an unfamiliar behavior
- Safeguard your account with a strong password and two-factor authentication
- Avoid adding strangers to your Snapchat contact list
- Refrain from sending money to a Snapchat user unless you’ve verified them
- Don’t rely on Snapchat romance or dating offer
- Avoid adding people with lower Snapchat scores. A low snapchat score suggests that the Snapchat account is fake.
What should you do If you got scammed on the Snapchat Scam?
Most of these Snapchat scams go unseen until you lose something to them. Don’t blame yourself! While the scammers are the culprit, making a move against them would be the right way to go about it. So how do you do that?
Start by reporting the account and consulting a recovery agency. recover your money and brings you uncompromised results.
FAQ
What are the benefits of Snapchat?
Snapchat is a great means for online communication. Apart from that, the incremental popularity of Snapchat provides people an opportunity to grow their business and build brand awareness.
What is unsafe about Snapchat?
As growing popularity provides its users a lot of advantages, it provides scammers an opportunity to be more prevalent in employing various strategies to hunt down imprudent users.
Why do random people send me friend requests on snapchat?
Random people can add you by the friend suggestions that appear in their quick add section. One may appear to others’ quick add section due to mutual friends, same location etc.
Don’t give in to unforeseen events like Snapchat scams, Contact Financial Fund Recovery if you need help recovering your money from it.