In today’s world, we are constantly being monitored. People can take over our social media accounts and interact with our friends and families. They can steal our identity to commit fraud or use it in identity theft. Social media fraud is when someone uses someone else’s social media account to take credit for something. People steal our identity by pretending to be us on online platforms and tricking others into giving them money and personal information.
On July 10th, I received a LinkedIn message from a colleague who lives in Washington. She saw my picture on a Fiverr profile which indicated the seller was from Nigeria and knew something wasn’t right. You see I don’t live in Nigeria, nor have I been. I’ve known this colleague for at least 10 years, and I’m pretty sure she knew I wasn’t a ghost writer. I’m glad that I have a great reputation that people can easily spot a fraud. I reported this to Fiverr and the profile was taken down within 24 hours.
My identity was stolen on Twitter and Instagram several times. With each incident, the impersonator, stole my picture and created a similar handle to trick people into thinking it was me. People who steal the identities of others and manipulate their reputation online are called “Social Media Fraudsters.” Social Media Fraudsters usually target individuals with a high online presence or celebrities. They do this so that when a celebrity posts a photo for example, they can direct the attention of their followers to their account where they sell fake products.
Social media fraud is a crime that seems to be happening more and more these days. It can be difficult to protect your identity and keep it secure on social media, but there are many ways to do so.
- Change your password every 90 days to prevent someone from hijacking your account.
- Use two-factor authentication so that you receive an email or text when someone tries to log in from an unknown browser or location.
- Add a watermark to your original images and photos to prevent them from being altered.
- Add copyright information to the metadata of the picture. This will show proof you are the owner of the image.
- Use Pixsy to monitor the Internet and get notified you when your images appear online. If a site or social media account is using your image or photo without your permission, you can send a legally binding take down notice.
There are many reasons why people may want or need to steal your identity online. They may steal your name and create a fake account to gain followers or use your credentials for their own personal gain. These fraudulent accounts are not only a violation of privacy, but they may also lead to problems such as financial fraud, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, or doxing. It is important that you take the necessary steps in order protect yourself from these types of criminals who may cause harm without any repercussions for themselves.
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