TikTok is a wildly popular app that allows users to post short videos for others to watch. These videos can be comedic, informational, or just plain weird, but the point is that they’re entertaining. Unfortunately, the app has also become a playground for scammers and thieves. Here are eight of the biggest TikTok scams to watch out for.
Who is being targeted by TikTok scams?
TikTok scams are a popular way for scammers to take advantage of people who use the app. They promise you money or other prizes if you send them photos or videos, but they often don’t deliver on their promises. Here are some of the biggest TikTok scams to watch out for:
1. The “freebie” scam: This is probably the most common TikTok scam, and it works like this: someone posts a fake offer on their account saying they’ll give you a free product or service if you send them a video or photo. But instead of giving you what you asked for, they steal your data and keep the freebie.
2. The “money-making” scam: This is another common scam, and it works like this: someone posts a video or photo asking people to send them money in exchange for winning a prize. But once the person sends the money, they never get their prize or the money back.
3. The “promise of fame” scam: This is another common scam, and it works like this: someone posts a video or photo asking people to send them feedback in exchange for being featured on their account. But once the person sends the feedback, they never get featured on the account, or their feedback is deleted without ever being used.
4. The “loser pays” scam: This is another common scam, and it works like this: someone posts a video or photo asking people to
Most common TikTok scams
There are a variety of scams that can come your way when you’re using TikTok. Still, some of the most common ones involve thieves trying to steal your personal information or asking for money to remove inappropriate videos. Here are six things to watch out for when using TikTok:
1. Thieves try to steal your personal information.
One of the most common scams on TikTok is stealing your personal information, like your name, phone number, and email address. They’ll often send you notifications asking you to download an app or sign up for something to protect yourself from inappropriate videos. DON’T DO IT! No app protects you from inappropriate videos, and signing up for anything will give the thief more information about you. If someone asks you to do anything on TikTok that feels too suspicious, delete the video and forget about it.
1. Easy money offers and fake giveaways
There are a lot of fake giveaways, and easy money offers on TikTok, so be careful! Here are some of the biggest scams to watch out for:
1. Fake contests: Sometimes, you’ll see people posting fake contests requiring you to submit videos or photos to win. Don’t fall for this scam — there’s never a prize!
2. Paid followers: Another common scam on TikTok is using paid followers to boost your audience artificially. These followers will usually only follow your account for one or two minutes before unfollowing you, so be very suspicious if someone asks you to pay for them to follow you.
3. Phony endorsements: One easy way to make money on TikTok is by pretending to be an influencer or celebrity and endorsing products or services. Be very careful when accepting endorsements — ensure the company or person offering the endorsement is legitimate.
4. Fake friend requests: Some scammers will send out fake friend requests to gain access to your account or steal your personal information. always be suspicious of any friend request that isn’t from a trustworthy source!
2. Duplicated celebrity and influencer accounts
There are a few things to remember regarding TikTok scams. Firstly, ensure that the person you’re following is an influencer or celebrity – if they’re not, there’s a good chance they’re part of a scam. Secondly, be wary of accounts that seem too good to be true – often, these are fake accounts set up to scam you out of your money. And finally, if something seems too convenient or too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Romance scams
TikTok scams are becoming increasingly popular, with scammers taking advantage of vulnerable people looking to connect with someone. Here are the five biggest TikTok scams to watch out for:
1) The love scam: Scammers will use sweet words and positive messages to convince you that they’re interested in you. They may even ask you to send them money or your personal information. Please don’t fall for it!
2) The riches scam: Scammers will tell you that they have a lot of money and want to share it with you. They may ask for money or your bank account information so that they can transfer the money. Don’t get involved!
3) The sex scam: Scammers will use suggestive messages and images to try and get you into bed. They may offer free tickets or expensive gifts in return for sexual favors. Be wary of offers like this – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
4) The fake friendship scam: Scammers will create a fake online persona and start chatting with you as a friend. Eventually, they will want something from you – often your personal information or financial resources. Stay away from anyone who asks for too much too fast!
5) The love bombing scam: This scam involves scammers sending overwhelming amounts of positive reinforcement (i.e., compliments, affectionate messages, etc.) to build up your trust before asking
4. Bot accounts
Bot accounts are used to spam other users on social media platforms, including TikTok. Spammers or scammers often create them to increase the messages they send and make more money. Bot accounts are not safe to use and should be avoided if possible.
5. Phishing
Phishing is a scam where someone tricks you into disclosing personal information such as your username, password, and credit card number. Phishing scams are rampant on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you don’t know who to trust online, you must be aware of the biggest TikTok scams to watch out for.
The most common type of phishing scam is the fake login page. You may see a new account called “FB Support” or “Twitter Help” pop up in your account notification bar. The scammers will ask you to provide your username and password to reset your password or unlock your account. Don’t fall for this trick!
Another common phishing scam involves attackers posing as friends or family members to get you to reveal personal information. They might send a direct message asking for help with something urgent, or they might try to get you to click on a link in a message that takes you outside of the app. Watch out for messages that seem suspicious, especially if they come from people you know well.
If you ever have questions about whether an online activity is safe, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team! We can help you identify potential threats and protect your account from harm.
6. Adult content scams
Adult content scams have become increasingly popular on social media platforms like TikTok, with scammers seeking to gain victims’ trust by appearing friendly and convincing. Here are the three biggest adult content scams to watch out for:
1. The “I’m a model” scam involves scammers posing as models or celebrities, seeking to trick victims into sending them money or revealing personal information. In many cases, the scammers will use fake profiles or photos to deceive victims.
2. The “You’re dating a hot girl/guy” scam: This scam involves scammers enticing victims into meeting someone they’ve been messaging romantically, only to reveal that the person you’re meeting is a fraudster intent on extracting money or personal information from you.
3. The “I need help” scam involves scammers contacting victims claiming they need assistance with something important or confidential, but then asking for financial or other sensitive information in return for help. Be suspicious if someone asks for personal information over the phone or online without indicating who they are or why they need it.
7. Bogus products and services
There are a few things to watch out for regarding TikTok scams. Some scammers try to convince you to buy fake products or services, while others try to get your personal information. Here are some of the biggest scams on TikTok:
1. Fake product scams: One common scam is for scammers to try and sell you fake products on TikTok. They’ll often use creative marketing strategies, like pretending to be a reputable retailer, to trick you into buying their product. Be wary of anyone who asks you to buy anything on TikTok without first providing a legitimate reason.
2. Social media scams: Another common scam involves social media platforms like TikTok. Scammers often use popular accounts with large followings to dupe people into sending them money or sharing personal information. Be very careful about any requests you receive from someone you don’t know via social media – always ask for proof before giving them any information.
3. Personal information scams: As mentioned earlier, another common scam on TikTok involves thieves trying to get your personal information, like your name, address, and phone number. Be especially cautious about anyone who asks for your contact information directly – always verify that they have the right person before giving them any sensitive information.
4. Phishing schemes: One final tip for avoiding TikTok scams is vigilance when it comes to phishing schemes – be sure not to click on
8. Promoted scam apps
There has been a rash of promoted scam apps hitting the App Store recently. These apps promise high rewards for completing simple tasks but often demand money up front, or else you won’t be able to claim your rewards. Be careful of any app asking for personal information before granting access. If an app sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t let yourself be scammed!
What to do if you’ve been scammed on TikTok
If you’ve been scammed on TikTok, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
1. Check your account information. Ensure that the person or app scamming you cannot see your username, password, or other account information.
2. Disable notifications for unknown accounts. If you don’t want to be alerted whenever someone new posts a video on your account, you can disable notifications for unknown accounts. This way, if someone is trying to scam you by posing as a trusted friend or celebrity, they won’t be able to get your attention with a new post until they have established a connection with you first.
3. Report the scammer immediately. If you have any evidence that the person or app scamming you is violating TikTok Terms of Service or Abuse Guidelines, report them immediately. Help us crack down on these types of fraudulent behavior and keep our community safe!
Tips to stay safe on TikTok
If you’re new to TikTok, you should know a few things to stay safe. First and foremost, be aware of the risks associated with sharing videos on the app. Scammers out there will use your footage to make fraudulent claims or solicit sexual favors. Second, always be mindful of who you’re communicating with. Before revealing any personal information, make sure you know who is behind the account. And finally, don’t use your phone while driving or operating heavy machinery – these activities are dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.
TikTok scam FAQs
If you’re wondering what to do if you get a suspicious message in your inbox on TikTok, we have some answers for you. Here are the biggest scams to watch out for:
1. The “I’m sorry” scam. This one starts with someone sending you a video apology, usually because they messed up something in their account or theirs, and yours got tangled up. The person in the video asks for your help getting back into their account (or getting them banned from using TikTok altogether). They might even ask for money, gifts, or other things in return for helping them out. DON’T DO IT! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers use this scam to steal your personal information or take advantage of your kindness.
2. The “I need help” scam. This one starts with someone asking for help using TikTok – either because they can’t figure out how to use the app themselves or because they think something isn’t working right on their account. The scammers will then try to take advantage of your good nature by asking you for personal information (like your username and password), downloading malicious apps onto your device, or charging you money for “help” that doesn’t exist. PLEASE DON’T GIVE THEM ANYTHING! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers use this
Bottom line
There are a lot of scams on TikTok, and it’s important to be aware of them to protect yourself. Here are the biggest scams to watch out for:
1. Fake Lip Sync Requests: Some scammers will ask you to lip sync with them, hoping you’ll give them your phone number or login information in exchange for a prize. Don’t do this! If someone asks you to do something like this, don’t trust them and report the incident to TikTok or the police.
2. In-App Purchases: Another common scam is for scammers to ask you to make an in-app purchase to get a prize. BE VERY CAREFUL when making any in-app purchases – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is! Don’t give away your personal information unless you want to go ahead with the purchase.
3. Social Media Scams: scams involving social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are becoming increasingly common on TikTok. They usually involve fake profiles or accounts created, and posts made using unsuspecting people’s identities. BE CAREFUL about what information you share online – if something feels wrong, it probably is! Please report any suspicious activity or messages immediately so that we can stop it before it takes any further damage.
