3 signs an Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account is fake
Spoofing social media accounts is one of the most common ways scammers try to trick victims. In this attack, cybercriminals will steal posts and pictures to create fake profiles to fool you. If you don’t know how to spot fake accounts, you could lose a ton of money to scams.
Verified account icons help you tell when a profile you’re looking at is official. One problem with Twitter is that anyone can purchase a blue checkmark now, making account verification difficult. Here are some ways to distinguish genuine social media profiles from convincing fakes.
1. Fake accounts follow a ton of people
Scammers try to cast a wide net. They’ll follow many people to access as many targets as possible. It’s also a sign that they’re a paid follower.
If you didn’t know, there are sites online that let you buy followers. So, if you want to look like you’re more popular than you are, you can buy 1,000 or more followers. These are mainly automated accounts, which shady individuals or companies can own.
Watch out if you’re looking at an account that follows, say, 14,000 people but only has 12 followers. You’re probably dealing with a fake.
If you’re not sure, look at the accounts they follow. Look for common themes or friends who know each other. If there isn’t a clear friend group or a network of family members, it’s another red flag.
How to spot fake accounts: Another helpful tip
Automated accounts will often comment on similar fake accounts. They want to create the illusion of authenticity. Scammers will create automated scripts for their accounts to comment.
All this effort has one goal: To convince you that you’re dealing with real people. After all, you would quickly be able to spot a fake account if it had no comments. Luckily, there are a few ways to spot automated remarks on social media.
If no one in the comments says anything of substance, that’s a sign that the remarks are automated. Bot accounts will comment strings of emoji as well as nonsensical statements. This means you’re probably dealing with a fake account whose owner is trying to trick you with bogus commentaries.
2. Scammers use your friend’s profile picture
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