Scammers often make fake accounts and pose as celebrities on Snapchat to directly message you, asking you to send money for a charity or for some other reason. The “celebrity” could also send a link to a spoofed website that can fraudulently obtain your payment details.

Upon first hearing you have won a contest, you may feel elated, and that is what scammers count on! Slow down because it could be too good to be true, especially if you’re informed through a social media platform like Snapchat. In this type of scam, cybercriminals may pretend to be from a legitimate organization and ask for your personal details to award a prize to you.

While social media sites like Snapchat are great for showcasing new products to consumers, there can also be product scams mixed in with the ads. In 2021, 45% of money lost in social media scams was due to online shopping, primarily where the product was paid for yet never delivered.[2]

Contacting you to unlock your account

If someone initiates contact to help you unlock your account, don't respond.