A new wave of online scams is targeting social media users by impersonating popular influencers. Fraudsters create convincing fake profiles or hack real accounts, then message followers with offers that seem too good to be true—such as giveaway prizes, investment opportunities, or exclusive deals.
NBC's Vicky Nguyen reported on Saturday TODAY that these scams often lead victims to share personal information or send money. The impostors use the trust that followers have in influencers, making the scams particularly effective.
"Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using real photos and videos from influencers' pages to appear legitimate," Nguyen said.
To protect yourself, experts recommend:
- Verifying any unusual messages through official channels
- Never sending money or gift cards to someone you only know online
- Enabling two-factor authentication on your social media accounts
- Reporting suspicious profiles to the platform
As social commerce grows, so do the risks. Stay vigilant and remember: if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.