- Instagram scam messages have existed for years, but new schemes targeting businesses have exploded in volume.
- Scammers attempt to steal your credentials and take over your account, possibly damaging your brand.
- Find out how to protect your business from Instagram scams in our curated list of the most common fraud tactics.
Instagram has proven to be a pivotal platform for businesses to connect with their audience, drive sales, and improve visibility. However, this increased reliance on Instagram’s infrastructure also brings more significant risks, particularly from scammers looking to exploit a business’s customer base through account takeover.
Instagram scam messages are often technically sophisticated and convincing, and they are capable of causing significant reputational and financial damage. If a scammer takes over your account, they will propagate their scam to users connected to your brand, potentially infiltrating even more accounts by abusing customer familiarity with your business.
Fortunately, discerning a scam from a legitimate message is easy if you stay informed. This guide discusses the most common scams, how to recognize them, and what to do if you think you’re being targeted.
Examples and Types of Instagram Scam Messages
Most scams are a form of phishing, meaning they attempt to steal your credentials. Phishing can happen in various ways, but the most common method is linking you to a fake login page designed to look like the real thing. This phishing page captures your username and password and sends the information to the scammer instead of logging you in.
When scammers target a business, they try to create urgency and direct you to interact with the fraudulent link. Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular types of phishing messages targeting companies today:
Fake Copyright Infringement Notices
A frequent Instagram scam message involves supposed copyright infringement. These messages often look official, use threatening rhetoric, and demand action to prevent account deletion. Don’t fall for this trick! If someone wishes to file a copyright claim against your page, they must use the proper channels to make it official—not contact you via messenger with a suspicious link.
Note the urgency to act and the “helpful” reminder to log in to your Facebook account. These are deceptive tactics to keep you from thinking twice.
Influencer Scams
Some Instagram accounts masquerade as influencers but are actually run by scammers. They may have a high number of followers (which are fake) or promote dubious investments, like NFTs or cryptocurrency. When fake influencer accounts target businesses, it’s often framed as a cooperative opportunity, saying something like, “I’d love to promote your business!” After you’re hooked, they’ll try to get you to click their phishing link.
However, these scams aren’t limited to phishing schemes. Sometimes, scammers pose as wealthy individuals offering limited-time opportunities to partner or finance a product. They create elaborate deceptions, including fake performance reports, so that businesses will hand over funds. Similarly, phony collaboration offers may attempt to solicit upfront fees or financial details, after which the scam account will disappear—along with the payment.
Fake Official Communication
Businesses may receive urgent warnings pretending to be from Instagram, threatening a potential account deletion or suspension. These scams try to harvest personal details, including usernames and passwords, under the pretext of security concerns. Remember, Meta will never ask for your credentials in a message. Additionally, Instagram won’t tell you they’re “considering” suspending your account—they just do it. If this does happen (for real), you can appeal through official channels, but it is never a situation that involves a ticking clock.
One tactic scammers use to appear more credible is creating accounts with official-sounding names: “Live Assistance,” “Support Team,” “Customer Service,” and so on. Instagram attempts to crack down on fake accounts like these, but scammers are crafty and frequently capable of circumventing the mass bans. If you see accounts like the one in the screenshot below, you should report it to Instagram as suspected fraud:
Instagram support doesn’t have an official account on the platform. The link you see here is a phishing page designed to steal credentials.
Selling Fake Followers and Likes
Businesses seeking to enhance their online presence might fall for offers to purchase followers and likes—which, notably, go against Instagram’s community guidelines and could result in account action. However, these offers are rarely authentic; instead of providing a boosted online presence, scammers will steal your financial information and attempt to phish your account.
What Businesses Can Do About Instagram Scam Messages
Protect yourself from the risks posed by scammers on Instagram by following these simple steps:
- Stay Calm and Verify: Don’t impulsively click links or respond to threatening messages. Verify any claims of policy violations directly through official channels. That means logging in the typical way—not using a scammer’s link.
- Understand Instagram Policy: Knowing how Instagram handles issues like the ones scammers claim will help you avoid confusion. Carefully review Instagram guidelines and Terms of Use if you’re unsure about the processes. Don’t be afraid to contact support (through official channels) if you’re worried about supposedly pending action on your account.
- Check Message Sources: Assess the authenticity of the emails or direct messages you receive by scrutinizing the source. Be wary of any unsolicited communication, especially those that threaten your account, demand action, or request personal information.
- Report Suspicious Accounts: The report function informs the support team about Instagram scam messages. Additionally, if you’re unsatisfied with the action Instagram takes following your report, you can appeal it here.
- Turn on Two-Factor Authentication: One of the best ways to stop scammers is by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Using 2FA means your password and username are no longer enough to log in. Instead, you’ll use a code from your phone or authenticator app to prove who you are. While some fraud attempts account for this, it protects you from Instagram scam messages that only steal credentials.
Protecting Your Brand With Instagram Pros
Today, online businesses face innumerable threats from scammers, fraudsters, and cybercriminals. And while a successful Instagram scam message won’t mean the end of your brand, it can put a significant damper on your business. The reputational and financial damage may be temporary—but it’s completely avoidable with the proper precautions. That’s why it’s crucial to defend yourself by working with industry pros who understand the security landscape.
At Social Ktchn, we combine over a decade of experience in driving high-revenue campaigns with an in-depth knowledge of how to safeguard your brand. With our Facebook and Instagram expertise, you can get the best of both worlds: expert digital marketing and robust strategies to secure your business.
Reach out today to discover how we can enhance and protect your business’s presence on Facebook and Instagram.