Safe Instagram Browsing: Avoiding Scams and Phishing

As Instagram grows, so do the scams. From "Brand Ambassador" offers to fake copyright strikes, here is how to browse safely and avoid becoming a victim.

The "Copyright Infringement" DM

The Scam: You get a DM from an account that looks like "Instagram Support" claiming you violated copyright and need to click a link to appeal, or your account will be deleted.

The Reality: Instagram will never DM you about account bans. They use the official "Emails from Instagram" tab in settings. Never click the link. It's a phishing site designed to steal your password.

The "Nasty List" Phishing Hack

You might get a message from a friend saying, "OMG is this you on this list?" with a link. If you click it, you'll be asked to login again.

Don't do it! Your friend was hacked, and the bot is trying to hack you too.

The "Brand Ambassador" Trap

Small accounts often get comments like "DM us to collab!" or " magnificence! Send pic to @brandname".

Usually, these "brands" will ask you to pay for shipping on a "free" item. You pay, but the cheap jewelry never arrives, or it's worth pennies. Legitimate brands don't spam comments on random photos.

How to Stay Safe

• Verify Links: Never login to Instagram from a link sent in a DM. Always go to the app directly.
• Check the Handle: Official messages come from verified badges, not "instagram_support_team_22".
• Enable 2FA: We can't say this enough. It stops 99% of hacks.