The Tik Tok scams They are beginning to be the order of the day. Criminals know that on this social network they can contact users from anywhere in the world, and they do not hesitate to use all kinds of tricks to deceive and obtain personal data and even money directly.
None of us are safe from falling into fraud of this type, because when we use social networks we do so in good faith, and we do not believe that others are going to try to deceive us. But, as reality shows us that not everyone has good intentions, it is better that we act with caution.
Factors that facilitate Tik Tok scams
It is no coincidence that the number of scams through this social network and others have multiplied in recent years. It is something that is due to factors like these:
Large user base
Tik Tok has millions of daily active users, many of whom are young people who are more susceptible to falling for scams. This provides scammers with a wide potential audience. Many will not be caught by their wiles, but many others will.
Visual and short content
Given that the content of this social network is characterized by being short and eye-catching, It is not difficult to attract the attention of users and persuade them to act impulsively.
Interaction and participation
Tik Tok encourages fluid and constant interaction that Scammers take advantage to quickly spread their deceptions.
Relative anonymity
It is relatively easy to create fake accounts on Tik Tok, because the verification system is not very strict, allowing scammers to hide their identity.
Lack of knowledge
Many users, especially younger ones, are not fully aware of common online scam tactics and they do not take the necessary precautions to avoid falling into them.
The most common Tik Tok scams
The deceptions that are most used on this social network are:
Missing celebrity accounts
Everyone likes to follow their idols. Criminals know this and that is why it is common practice for them to create fake celebrity accounts.
They use them to offer affiliate links or giveaways through them that what They seek is to obtain the personal data of the users.
Fake trading accounts
In this case the scammer Create an account that appears to be from well-known commercial brands such as Apple or Amazon, and offers free gifts that are nothing more than bait to steal information.
Fake Tik Tok Follower Generators
Many users are even willing to pay to get new followers, and criminals take advantage of this.
Accounts that offer to increase the number of followers have two purposes. Or they want to obtain information from users to steal their accounts and access their personal data. Or they seek to charge directly for a service that they are not going to provide.
Fake verification badges
It is one of the Tik Tok scams that has done the most damage. In this case, the user is offered the possibility of accessing a verification badge at a reduced price. He clicks on a link, provides his personal information, and what What is found is that he never receives the verification credential and, in addition, his identity is stolen.
Fake donation scams
This is a widespread hoax on all social networks. Scammers take advantage of real-world crises (wars, earthquakes, etc.) to create an account for a supposed charity organization and thus collect donations.
Schemes to invest and get rich quickly
Many accounts offer users to explain how to invest or develop businesses with which they will earn a lot of money in a short time and with little effort. In return, They ask for an initial investment to be able to access the information, and the only thing that happens is that the victim ends up losing his money.
Other very common Tik Tok scams
In addition to all these that we have seen, there are other deception attempts that are also common on this social network:
- Fake job offers.
- Romance scams.
- Gift card scams.
- Mobile game scams.
- Fake giveaways.
Tips to avoid falling into fraud on Tik Tok
To avoid being a victim of a scam, it is best to act with caution. Here are some tips that can help you:
Verify the authenticity of accounts and offers
If you see a brand or celebrity account with blue verification, don't trust it just because of that. Try to make sure it's the real thing, because there are beads that imitate the originals very well.
In the case of offers or giveaways, investigate their legitimacy by looking outside of Tik Tok. It is best that you consult the company's official website directly, even send an email to ask about the topic.
Do not share personal or financial information
No matter how good the offer you have seen may be, never share your personal information through Tik Tok or another social network.
Be wary of public or private messages that ask for personal information or They offer you prizes from contests in which you have not participated.
If what you receive is a request for money, even if it seems to come from friends or family, always be suspicious. If it is someone in your close circle, it is better that you verify the situation through other means before sending the amount they ask of you.
Set privacy
Review and adjust your profile privacy settings to give you more control over who can view your videos and send you messages. Consider the possibility of Make your account private to limit interaction with strangers.
Do not click on suspicious links
If you receive messages from unknown or unverified sources, do not click on the links, because they may redirect to phishing sites.
The best way to avoid Tik Tok scams is to Be wary of everything that seems too good to be true. ANDIt's better to be overly cautious than end up losing money or putting your personal data at risk.