This Instagram scam is scary! Can get your account HACKED; Know how to avoid

Your Instagram can be hacked with this direct message scam. Here’s what you should do to avoid it.

Instagram DM scam tries to collect your account credentials without letting you know. (Pixabay)

Instagram is a popular social media platform, but what if it turns into a catalyst for a dangerous scam? This is what happened back in June 2021, when a phishing Instagram DM scam started circulating among Instagram users, and it is back in action. What does it do? The phishing scam can access your Instagram account without letting you know. And if you fall for this scam, then you won't even realise when you have ended up giving your Instagram credentials on your own.

What fraudsters try to do is that they send the link on Instagram with captions that make you click on the link. The caption can be related to anything from a job offer, claiming that you have won a lottery, false investment, or even maybe a simple message. The link usually appears as a normal Instagram post, but the moment you click on it, you will be directed to a new Instagram login page. And here, you won't be able to see any content, to do so, it will ask you to log in with your Instagram ID and password. And that's all! This is where the scam lies. Once you have tried to log in, it will take the Instagram credentials. Such pages are specially designed to get the information that online fraudsters are looking for. So, what should you do to avoid being a victim of the Instagram DM scam? Check these tips..

How to avoid Fraud on Instagram

• Fraud messages usually mention some bank accounts, selling something online, or asking for personal information. Beware of such messages! This can include the step to login to a page through your Instagram credentials.
• Ensure to enable two-factor authentication which helps you avoid any scam. How? It allows you a secondary checkpoint for account logins after your password has been used. It will ask you to verify the account while using another account which can be text message, email or any biometric logins.
• If it looks real, don't jump onto the link to open it. You can confirm the information through the official website, or contact instead of trying to log in with the shared message.
• If some stranger follows you or sends you a message on Instagram, be suspicious. Know who they are before replying or letting them gain information about you.
• Sometimes fraudsters try to contact you in the name of big brands while setting a fake I which looks more like a real one. Always reach out to the official accounts of the companies to check if the account is real or not. If it's fake then ensure to report or block it.
• Best way to avoid fraud will be to use an antivirus program to protect yourself from any malware that might have been transported in your system via any malicious link.