Snapchat's focus on quick interactions and temporary messages has found a receptive audience in millions of people who want to keep others out of their business. However, these same features make Snapchat the perfect playground for scammers and hackers who use social engineering to catch the unwary off guard.
Want to keep using Snapchat safely? Here’s how to recognize social engineering and put a stop to it.
Spotting the Scammers
Social engineering scammers use different tactics to scam people, but their goals are always the same. They’ll either want to hack your Snapchat account, get you to send them money, or steal your valuable personal info. These are the telltale signs to look out for when dealing with these tricksters.
Unsolicited messages
Many social engineering scams begin with a message you get out of the blue. Some are fishy from the start, like claiming you won a contest you never even entered. Others are sneakier, especially if they pose as a legitimate company or influencer. Not all promotional messages and friend requests are harmful, but treat them with suspicion until proven otherwise.
No verification
A quick way to tell whether a Snapchat account is legit is by searching for verification. Companies will have a blue badge signaling they’re the real deal. Influencers with a large following get the Snap Star instead. If the person contacting you claims to be well-known or to represent a company without this proof, they’re likely a scammer.
Fake Snapchat support messages
A common tactic is to pose as Snapchat support and claim there’s a problem with your account or that it’s in violation of the rules. The scammers will then ask you to verify your details and steal them.
Account-related communication with real Snapchat support happens via email, usually as a response to tickets you open. The email address will end with @snap.com or @snapchat.com. Besides, support already knows your account info, so why would they ask for it? Also, any links official support may include will always direct you to snapchat.com or snap.com, not unknown external sites.
Message tone & suspicious offers
Most scams follow a pattern. Once you’re aware of it, they become much easier to identify and avoid.
For example, does the message promise awesome prizes or easy money? If it seems too good to be true, you can bet it is.
Pressure tactics are another red flag. The scammers might count on your FOMO and offer “limited time investment opportunities”, or they can pose as a romantic interest and demand that you send them money for a plane ticket or else the “relationship” is over. Either way, you’re urged to quickly and obediently follow the instructions so you don’t have time to think things through.
Stopping Their Scams
Not falling victim to social engineering on Snapchat comes down to being aware of the scammers' tricks and doing everything you can to protect your account and privacy.
Keep your activity private
Social engineers can’t target someone they’re not aware of, and you can do a lot to become invisible. The Privacy Controls section in Settings lets you adjust who can contact you and view your content. Going private and limiting interaction to friends only helps a lot, as does the Snap Map’s Ghost Mode.
Mobile VPNs introduce another layer of protection since they encrypt your connection and can mask your IP address. Plus, the better ones actively track known scam sites and will alert you to the most unsafe links you’re about to visit.
Secure your account
Start by making it impossible for anyone to take over your account. That means setting a strong, unique password and enabling two-factor authentication from the settings menu. Since only you can access your phone, this will ensure the account’s safety even if you fall for a social engineering attack.
Secure Snapchat access
Social engineering’s effectiveness benefits from the data scammers collect on victims, mostly passively and in secret. Even if you’re aware of and avoid their tactics, keeping your usage patterns and activity private helps keep others safe.
To that end, you’ll want to avoid using Snapchat over unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi since they can be monitored and harvested for usage information. Alternatively, the best VPNs for PC or mobile can encrypt the connection, letting you use Snapchat and any other online service without being tracked or monitored.
Block & report suspected scammers
Why take chances with suspicious strangers? If you're sure they're up to something, block them and report their activities to Snapchat. You're doing less observant community members a solid.
