Social media is one of the avenues that has led to more Nebraskans becoming victims of financial scams. Below are tips to help you and your family members avoid financial scammers on social media platforms:

• Avoid Oversharing: Scammers can use information gathered from your social media profiles to impersonate you or target you with convincing schemes.
• Beware of “Influencers” and Fake Endorsements: Scammers often pose as influencers or celebrities or politicians, promoting fraudulent investment opportunities or giveaways. Verify their authenticity and never engage with suspicious offers.
• Watch Out for Deep Fakes: Scammers can use AI to replicate the voice of famous individuals and even your own family members. AI-generated fake videos can make requests for money seem genuine. If you receive an unusual request, always verify the authenticity of the message.
• Use Caution with Emails, Texts and Instant Messages: Be cautious of messages that mimic real companies or people. Always take a close look at email addresses and URLs (website addresses) to confirm the source. Also, look at grammar for errors and inconsistencies, since many of these scams come from abroad.

Scammers often pressure their victims to act quickly, so never be rushed in your work to verify the situation. Also requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are common scams. Legitimate entities don’t use these methods.

If you or a loved one think you may the victim of a financial scam, submit a complaint to NDBF.