Personal Data Theft

Scammers steal your personal data via social media, and this even if your accounts are set up as private and properly protected, or if you are careful and do not share much information on your profiles (photos, videos, status updates, etc.). Criminals use various techniques to trick you into entering your personal data: name, email address, password, credit card number, etc.

They then use your data to make purchases with your credit card, open a bank account, take out a loan, sell your information to other fraudsters…

They ask you to keep this information confidential, saying that it is available to you only.

Examples of such scams

Many attacks follow a similar pattern, here are the most common ones:

Twishing

Twishing (a combination of the words Twitter and phishing) involves sending a message to a X user inviting them to visit a website. If the user logs in to the fraudulent site, the attacker obtains their account information (name and password).

Who has visited your social media profile or page?

Such a service will ask you to grant them access to your profile. They will then lead you into a fraudulent investigation, forcing you to share your personal information. The spammer will earn a commission every time someone responds to the survey. You will never know who has been looking for you.

Is that you in this video?

Clicking on these videos will take you to a survey that makes money for the spammer. You could also end up infecting your device with malware.

Your account has been cancelled, Confirm your email account

These scams aim to trick you into divulging your private information and account credentials.

Gift card scams and fake offers from popular brands

These scams aim to trick the user into revealing personal information or signing up for expensive services. They take a new form every month and seem too good to be true – the requested service or product will never arrive.

Help, I’m in trouble

A scammer posing as a relative in urgent need of money contacts you via a social media message. The scammer shows up in distress and asks you to transfer money. Other ways of approaching you may be by phone, email or SMS.

Miracle product, free trials

This online scheme uses free trial offers, fake endorsements and surveys to trick you into paying for products and subscriptions you don’t know you’re signing up for (e.g. recurring shipping charges).

Any job that requires a fee to start is probably fraudulent. These ads are found on social media and link to an offer that charges for a kit that will help you start earning thousands. You may be asked for a lot of personal information, including your tax file number, copies of your passport or driving licence.

Some job offers may cover up illegal money laundering activities, asking you to receive payments into your bank account for a fee and then pass the money on to a foreign company. You will be acting as a mule for criminals, which is a crime.

How to avoid personal data theft?

• Whenever you want to check information about a social media account, go directly to the site – don’t trust a link that claims to take you there.
• Be careful how much information and photos you share on social media sites. Fraudsters can use this to create a false identity or target you with a scam.
• Check your privacy and security settings on each social media account. Take the time to understand exactly what your profile shows about you to the public.

• Do your research online. Search for the name of the product or job offer to see what others are saying about it. You can associate words like ‘review’, ‘complaint’ or ‘scam’ with it.
• Report profiles that you suspect are scams to the social media platform. If they follow you or befriend you, make sure you block them and stop interacting with them.
• Monitor your credit and debit card statements regularly. If you are charged for something you did not order, contact your bank and the card provider.