Top 8 Instagram Scams to AVOID
Scammers in your DMs? In this economy? 🙄
You know that feeling when you get a DM from someone claiming you've won a giveaway you never entered? Yeah, it's giving major red flag energy. 🚩 In 2025, Instagram scams are getting craftier than a 20-something girl and her knitting hobby. Here are our pro tips on how to spot the top 8 Instagram scams faster than Taylor Swift drops album Easter eggs.
The Most Common Social Media Scams To Avoid 👇
# 1. The Instagram Jewelry Scam: Not All That Glitters Is Gold
Remember when being a brand ambassador meant actually being... you know, an ambassador? These days, your DMs are probably full of messages like "Your aesthetic is perfect for our jewelry line! 😍" Sure, and my at-home coffee actually looks like the one my Starbucks barista makes me.
Here's the scam: They'll offer you a "special discount" to purchase their products before becoming an ambassador. Plot twist: The jewelry either never arrives or is worth less than your middle school craft project. Legitimate brands don't make you pay to represent them. That's like paying to attend your own birthday party.
# 2. The Instagram “Art Muse” Scam: When "Inspiration" Gets Sketchy
This scam is giving major "I can pay you in exposure" vibes. Artists slide into your DMs asking if they can use your photos for an upcoming project at a very legitimate art museum. Then, they’ll tell you you either need to pay a small amount to cover their art supplies OR they’ll say they need to process a payment to prove to the museum that you’ve consented to the project. Either way DON’T give any of your banking info out online—even Venmo or PayPal!
# 3. The Instagram Mural Scam: Wall Art Gone Wrong
Picture this: Someone reaches out about featuring you in a "city-wide mural project." All you need to do is send a small fee to "secure your spot,” or accept a massive check amount, keep some for payment, and send the rest back for supplies. It’s giving Scrub. Pay for your own supplies.
# 4. The Instagram Zelle Scam: When Money Moves in the Wrong Direction
These scammers are smoother than your favorite face filter. They'll claim they need help with a Zelle transfer and just need you to send a small amount first to "upgrade" your account
*Reality check: Zelle doesn't work that way. That's like saying you need to send a tweet to upgrade your X account.*
Or they’ll send you an “invoice” for a product or service you “purchased.” But you must’ve bumped your head because you, amazingly, have no recollection of making them purchase. Funny, huh?
#5. The Instagram Cash App Scam: The Money Flip Flop
"Send $100, get $1000 back!" Sounds like those chain emails from 2005, right? These scammers promise to multiply your money faster than a TikTok trend goes viral. Spoiler: The only thing multiplying is the number of people they're scamming.
Remember: Anything that promises to multiply your money like that for no reason is definitely too good to be true.
# 6. The Instagram Commission Scam: The "Your Art Is Amazing" Trap
Artists, this one's for you. Scammers slide into your DMs praising your work (valid, you're amazing), but and start saying they’d like to pay you a commission to share your art elsewhere. That's like a client asking you to pay them for the privilege of working with them. Make it make sense.
Ask ALL the questions before giving out the rights to your work. If you simply agree and they ask for payment info right away? RUN.
# 7. Instagram Romance Scams: The "Too Good to Be True" Tale
Isn’t it hard enough to find a good man in this economy? We don’t need to add Instagram scams into the mix! Picture this: A suspiciously attractive profile with photos that look straight out of a stock image website starts love bombing you. Next thing you know, they're asking for money for an "emergency." Red flags? More like a red flag factory.
# 8. The Instagram Giveaway Scam: Congratulations... Not
"Congratulations! You've won our giveaway!" Funny. You never entered. These scammers create fake brand accounts and claim you've won everything from iPads to luxury bags. All you need to do is pay for shipping... and maybe provide your social security number while you're at it (please don't).
How to Stay Safe From Instagram Scams
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Here's how to protect yourself:
Never send money to accounts you don't know (duh, but we had to say it).
Check for verified badges (but remember, scammers can fake those too).
Look at the account. If it’s private, follows no one, but has thousands of followers (or vice versa)—your alarm bells should be going off.
If their message has weird spelling or grammar, give it a second thought. But remember, scammers are smart. Even the message with A+ spelling and grammar can be a scam.
Trust your gut – if it feels sketchy, it probably is.
The Bottom Line?
Social media should be about building genuine connections, not dodging social media scams like you dodge your ex at Trader Joe's. At Scott Social, we're all about keeping it real – from our strategies to our relationships with our clients. Our community management strategies are so well thought out, scammers won’t stand a chance with us monitoring your DM’s.
Ready to work with a team that keeps it real? Book a Discovery Call with us, and let's create content that's actually worth double-tapping! ✨
are you in your influencer era? read more ↓
WRITTEN BY:
Angela LaRose
Copywriter + Social Media Strategist
