Twitter is a widely used platform for communication and sharing information, but it’s also a target for scams and fraudulent activity. Scammers take advantage of the platform’s popularity and the trust users have in their followers to commit scams. In this article, we will discuss various types of scams found on Twitter and provide tips on how to identify and protect yourself from them.

Phishing scams

One common scam on Twitter is the “phishing” scam, in which scammers send fake messages or links that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a government agency, in an attempt to trick the user into disclosing sensitive information or login credentials. These messages may contain links to fake websites or may ask the user to click on a link to “verify” their account or to “update” their information.

Telltale signs

  • The message appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a government agency.
  • The message contains a link or asks the user to click on a link.
  • The message contains urgent or threatening language, such as “your account will be suspended if you don’t click this link”.

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Protection methods

  • Be cautious of messages from unknown or unfamiliar accounts, and be especially wary of messages that contain links or ask you to click on a link.
  • Don’t click on links in suspicious messages.
  • If you receive a message from a legitimate source, such as your bank, go directly to the website by typing in the URL manually or by using a bookmark, rather than clicking on a link in the message.
  • Install and use reputable antivirus and antimalware software to protect your device from malicious links.

Lottery or prize scams

Another common scam on Twitter is the “lottery” or “prize” scam, in which scammers send messages claiming that the user has won a prize or a lottery, and ask the user to pay a fee or provide personal information in order to claim the prize. These messages may contain links to fake websites or may ask the user to provide sensitive information such as their bank account details or social security number.

Telltale signs

  • The message claims that the user has won a prize or a lottery
  • The message asks the user to pay a fee or provide personal information in order to claim the prize
  • The message contains urgent or threatening language, such as “you must claim your prize within 24 hours or it will be forfeited”

Protection methods

  • Be cautious of messages from unknown or unfamiliar accounts, and be especially wary of messages that contain links or ask you to click on a link.
  • Don’t provide personal information or pay a fee in response to a message or a link.
  • Remember that legitimate lotteries and prizes do not typically require the recipient to pay a fee or provide personal information in order to claim their prize.

Fake job or employment scams

A third common scam on Twitter is the “fake job” or “employment” scam, in which scammers send messages claiming to be from a legitimate employer or recruitment agency, offering the user a job or an opportunity to work from home. The scammer may ask the user to provide sensitive information such as their bank account details or social security number, or may ask the user to pay a fee for training materials or other expenses.


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NEVER GET SCAMMED AGAIN!

Scammers never stop devising schemes to separate us from our hard-earned money. So, make sure to sign up for our weekly email scam alerts. TotalScam!™ Alert will notify you as soon new scams are discovered.

Telltale signs

  • The message claims to be from a legitimate employer or recruitment agency.
  • The message offers a job or an opportunity to work from home.
  • The message asks the user to provide sensitive information or to pay a fee.

Protection methods

  • Thoroughly research the company and the job offer before providing any personal information or paying any fees.
  • Don’t provide personal information or pay a fee in response to a message or a link.
  • Be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true, such as high salaries or easy work from home opportunities.
  • Be aware that many legitimate job opportunities require an in-person interview or a face-to-face meeting.

Pyramid schemes

A fourth common scam on Twitter is the “pyramid” scheme, in which scammers ask the user to recruit others in order to earn money. These schemes promise high returns with little or no effort, and rely on the recruitment of new members to generate revenue. However, pyramid schemes are illegal and can result in financial loss for the user.

Telltale signs

  • The message asks the user to recruit others in order to earn money.
  • The message promises high returns with little or no effort.
  • The message contains a link or asks the user to click on a link.

Protection methods

  • Be cautious of any messages on Twitter that promise high returns with little or no effort, and be especially wary of messages that ask you to recruit others in order to earn money.
  • Remember that pyramid schemes are illegal and can result in financial loss.
  • Don’t provide personal information or pay a fee in response to a message or a link.

Fake charities

A fifth common scam on Twitter is the “fake charity” scam, in which scammers send messages asking for donations to a fake charity or a fraudulent cause. These messages may contain links to fake websites or may ask the user to provide sensitive information such as their bank account details or social security number.

Telltale signs

  • The message asks for donations to a charity or a cause.
  • The message contains a link or asks the user to click on a link.
  • The message contains urgent or emotional language, such as “your donation will save a child’s life”.

Protection methods

  • Be cautious of any messages on Twitter that ask for donations to a charity, and do your research before making a donation.
  • Legitimate charities will provide information about their mission and how donations are used, and will not ask for personal information or login credentials.
  • Don’t provide personal information or pay a fee in response to a message or a link.

By being aware of these common scams on Twitter and taking steps to protect yourself, you can avoid falling victim to fraudulent activity on the platform. If you believe you’ve been a victim of a scam on Twitter, report the incident to the proper authorities, such as the police or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Our investigations into Common Scams of 2024

Fake Twitter accounts offering free cryptocurrencies

One variation of this scam involves the offer of free bitcoin. Scammers will create fake accounts that mimic the accounts of well-known individuals or companies, and then send tweets offering free bitcoin in exchange for users sending a small amount of bitcoin to their address. However, once the user sends the bitcoin, the scammer disappears and the user is left without their bitcoin.

It’s important to be cautious of any tweets on Twitter that offer free bitcoin or other forms of cryptocurrency, especially if the offer seems too good to be true.

Here are some tips to protect yourself from this type of scam:

  • Don’t send bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency to an address that you receive in a tweet, even if the tweet appears to be from a legitimate account
  • Verify the authenticity of the account before interacting with it. Look for the blue verified badge, which indicates that the account has been verified by Twitter as authentic
  • Be wary of accounts that have a high number of followers but few tweets, as this may be a sign of a fake account
  • If you’re interested in earning bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, do your research and only use reputable sources

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FAQ

Some common types of scams on Twitter include phishing scams, lottery or prize scams, fake job or employment scams, pyramid schemes, and fake charities.

Some telltale signs of a scam on Twitter include messages from unknown or unfamiliar accounts, messages that contain links or ask you to click on a link, and messages that contain urgent or threatening language.

If you receive a suspicious message on Twitter, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, report the message to Twitter and delete it.

To protect yourself from scams on Twitter, be cautious of messages from unknown or unfamiliar accounts, don’t click on links in suspicious messages, and don’t provide personal information or pay a fee in response to a message or a link.

To report a scam on Twitter, go to the tweet in question and click the three dots in the upper right corner. From there, select “Report Tweet” and follow the prompts to report the scam.

If you fall victim to a scam on Twitter, report the incident to the proper authorities, such as the police or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You may also need to change any login credentials or account information that you provided to the scammer.

It may be possible to get your money back if you fall victim to a scam on Twitter, but it depends on the specifics of the scam and the actions you took. Contact the authorities and your bank or credit card company to report the scam and discuss potential options for recovering your money.

While it’s not possible to completely prevent scams on Twitter, you can take steps to protect yourself by being cautious of messages from unknown or unfamiliar accounts, not clicking on links in suspicious messages, and not providing personal information or paying a fee in response to a message or a link.

Twitter works to identify and remove scams from the platform, but it’s important to remember that it’s ultimately up to the user to protect themselves from scams.

Yes, it is possible for a scammer to impersonate a legitimate account on Twitter. To protect yourself, be cautious of messages from unfamiliar accounts and verify the authenticity of the account before interacting with it.

Attention: Consumers who have been contacted by scammers could have had their personal information breached. TotalScam!™ highly recommends that consumers whose information has been breached obtain an identity theft protection service immediately.

There are several companies that offer identity theft protection in the US. One of the most inexpensive options we were able to find is the protection offered by LifeLock. You can start your protection here.

Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained on this site are not endorsed by LifeLock. TotalScam!™ receives compensation from LifeLock. This helps support our scam prevention efforts.

Our investigations into Common Scams of 2024