SALT LAKE CITY — As technology becomes more sophisticated, so do the scammers. Social media scams have gone beyond duplicating Facebook accounts and have become fraud that is not only harder to prevent but to detect.

Romance scams

Online dating scams have been around since the internet was invented but have become more prevalent in recent years, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Now, old scams have new twists.

Fraudsters have more access to personal information through social media profiles, allowing them to target and deceive individuals. Most social media platforms allow users to make their accounts completely private or unsearchable so would-be scammers can't access any information. Complete privacy isn't the default setting on most social media platforms, so users will need to make sure they change their account settings to get complete privacy.

Skype and any other social media platforms with video messaging may also be scam hotbeds. Webcam hackers can record video of victims with an uncovered camera and then ransom the video. The FBI recommends putting a piece of tape over the webcam for a simple fix to thwart this kind of scam.

Fake social media ads and sites

Despite algorithms designed to block fraudulent ads and websites, fake ads on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter continually slip through. Often, scammers use a method called "cloaking," a technique that tricks algorithms and search engines into seeing a legitimate website, while actual visitors find ads and spams.

Other types of fake ads show a highly discounted item, like a designer purse or iPad. The ad looks legitimate, but the product is counterfeit.

A particularly devious type of fake ad is called “angler fishing.” The perpetrators often set up a fake profile on social media for an organization or business, like a local bank. When someone calls the "bank's" customer service number, they reach a real person who takes their credit card number.

Fake followers

One Instagram scam claimed to “instantly get (you) thousands of followers,” according to Dylan Mazzioti, founder of media company Lennon Design.

An account will advertise the ability to get “4K followers” and link to a user's post or follow them, Mazzioti said. If the Instagrammer clicks on the URL in the other account’s profile or posts, it will redirect them to a page that asks for their username. Once there, the site says it will “connect” the user to other followers. Instead of connecting them, they will use it to hack the victim, Mazzioti said.

Twitter also has "pay-for-followers" scams. Some of these providers send out spammy messages to followers while others steal personal information. It is against policy on Twitter to pay for followers and using one of those services could get a user banned.

"Quality followers are not acquired in this way ... you want humans to follow you that have an actual interest in you, your information or your product," Mazzioti said.

Top 5 social media scams to avoid

Scammers have been worming their way into giant social media networks to trick people into giving over their personal and financial information.

Bitcoin scams

Bitcoin is a digital currency that operates independently of government or banks. Bitcoin’s lack of regulation makes it an ideal target for scammers. If you are a fraud victim, you can't call your bank or credit card company to get your money back.

With social media, bitcoin fraud has expanded. Fraudsters create Instagram accounts posing with money and expensive items and advertise to followers to “flip their bitcoin” (with an initial investment) and become rich overnight. Those that send their "investment" are not likely to see it again.

Pyramid or multilevel marketing schemes are another type of bitcoin scam. This type of scheme is not necessarily illegal but operates in an insidious "gray" area.

Scammers advertise on social media that their low bitcoin investment can be increased by signing up other members. The new members are asked to recruit others. Soon dozens or hundreds of members are part of the scheme. Then, the original scammer leaves with the money, while the recruited members leave with unfulfilled promises.

Tips to protect yourself from social media scammers:

• Never give out personally identifiable information online.
• Research the subject’s contact information online. If you're skeptical, check out RomanceScamsNow.com which has a large database of known scammers. Another option is a reverse Google Image search. Upload the picture on a person's profile and see the results.
• Keep your social media profiles as private as possible and only accept requests from people you know.
• If you are scammed, contact your financial institution to protect your account and report the scam to the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Bitcoin scams

Bitcoin is a digital currency that operates independently of government or banks. Bitcoin’s lack of regulation makes it an ideal target for scammers. If you are a fraud victim, you can't call your bank or credit card company to get your money back.

With social media, bitcoin fraud has expanded. Fraudsters create Instagram accounts posing with money and expensive items and advertise to followers to “flip their bitcoin” (with an initial investment) and become rich overnight. Those that send their "investment" are not likely to see it again.

Pyramid or multilevel marketing schemes are another type of bitcoin scam. This type of scheme is not necessarily illegal but operates in an insidious "gray" area.

Scammers advertise on social media that their low bitcoin investment can be increased by signing up other members. The new members are asked to recruit others. Soon dozens or hundreds of members are part of the scheme. Then, the original scammer leaves with the money, while the recruited members leave with unfulfilled promises.

Tips to protect yourself from social media scammers:

• Never give out personally identifiable information online.
• Research the subject’s contact information online. If you're skeptical, check out RomanceScamsNow.com which has a large database of known scammers. Another option is a reverse Google Image search. Upload the picture on a person's profile and see the results.
• Keep your social media profiles as private as possible and only accept requests from people you know.
• If you are scammed, contact your financial institution to protect your account and report the scam to the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

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