Reported losses to scams on social media eight times higher than in 2020
Social media scammers use fake ads, hacked accounts, and impersonation to steal money. Reported losses hit $2.1 billion in 2025, eight times higher than 2020.
How it works
Scammers buy social media ads or create fake profiles targeting you by age and interests. They advertise fake products, investment programs, job offers, or romance. They may pose as advisors, send you to fake websites that look real, show you fake profits to build trust, then ask you to invest more money. Some extract additional payments by claiming they can recover your losses.
Red flags to watch for
- Ad or message from someone you don't know offering investment returns or job opportunities
- Pressure to move conversation to WhatsApp, email, or a website outside social media
- Fake investment platform shows profits but you cannot withdraw your money easily
- Seller ships from overseas with prohibitive return costs
- Website looks like a real brand but URL is slightly different
What to do
Do not click links in ads or messages from strangers. Instead, search the company name plus the word scam to check for complaints. If you see an investment opportunity on social media, ignore it. Verify any business by calling a number from its official website, not from the ad. Report the ad and the account to the social media platform, then file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If this reached you
Source: FTC . Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.