Top 10 TikTok Scams to Avoid and How to Stay Safe

TikTok scams are increasing as the platform’s popularity continues to grow, attracting more fraudsters to weaponize it. With TikTok's massive user base expected to exceed 2.2 billion by 2027, it has become a hotspot for scammers. The app has already been downloaded more than 4.7 billion times as of 2024 and was the first non-game, non-Facebook app to reach 3 billion downloads.

Be cautious about clicking on links and believing every story and sales pitch you come across. With new scams appearing online every day, it's essential to always be on guard.

Key takeaways

Over $2.7 billion dollars was lost to social media fraud in the US between 2021 and mid-2023, according to the FTC.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, about 20 million TikTok accounts were removed from the platform due to suspicion of being operated by users under the age of 13.
Also, during the same period, TikTok removed around 720 million fake followers on the platform due to fake accounts.

TikTok scams you should know about

Below are the most common TikTok scams users encounter today.

1. Fake Or duplicated celebrity accounts

Fake celebrity accounts are one of the most common TikTok scams. Scammers create fake profiles that imitate real celebrities, using stolen content to make their accounts seem genuine. Once these fraudulent accounts appear authentic, scammers use them to deceive people into investing in cryptocurrency or donating to their fake charities.

If a celebrity writes to you, look for:

The big blue verification badge: Genuine accounts have a blue verification badge.
Product promotions: Be cautious if the account immediately promotes products, it’s a red flag.
Giveaways: Fake accounts often run bogus giveaways.
Spelling mistakes: Imposters may use slight variations of the celebrity in the username.
Their profile on other social media: Verify the account by checking other social media platforms for warnings about impersonation.

You can verify the authenticity of a profile by sending it to Scamio, our AI-powered scam detector. Just copy and paste the link to the profile or take a screenshot of it and send it to Scamio. It will analyze it and tell you if it's genuine.

Find out more about Scamio, here.

2. Fake business accounts

Similar to celebrity impersonation, scammers create fake business accounts on TikTok posing as major brands like Apple, Walmart, or Amazon.

These accounts often promote “free giveaways” designed to steal personal information.

To verify legitimacy:

Check the company’s official website
Visit verified social media pages
Avoid clicking suspicious links

3. Fake TikTok follower generators

Scammers also exploit people's desire to grow their TikTok following by promoting fake follower generators. These scams often take the form of apps or links that promise to increase followers rapidly. They are typically promoted through direct messages, comments, or bot accounts and are designed to steal your TikTok login information and gain unauthorized access to your account. It's best to steer clear of any follower generators, as they are almost always fraudulent.

4. Fake verification badges

Some scammers offer fake verification badges for a fee. The scam usually involves sending a message promising a verification badge at a low cost, leading victims to fill out a form with personal information. Remember, only TikTok can issue official verification badges. Ignore any offers claiming otherwise.

5. Fake donation scams

These TikTok scams exploit the goodwill of users during crises. Fraudsters create fake donation campaigns for recent events, such as natural disasters or pandemics, to trick people into donating money. To avoid these TikTok money scams, thoroughly research any organization before donating and look for verified information. Legitimate charities do not pressure individuals into donating.

6. 'Get rich quick' scams

“Money flipping” and fast-profit promises frequently circulate on TikTok. In reality, there is no legitimate process behind this promise. Once you send your money, it's gone for good. This applies to both cash and cryptocurrencies. Similarly, scammers will promise large financial rewards with minimal effort, often claiming that a famous person will give away money if you follow certain steps.

Here are some red flags to watch for:

Upfront Investment: If a scheme requires you to invest your own money, it's likely a scam.
Clickbait Promises: Be wary of headlines that promise huge earnings with little effort.
Urgency: Scammers often pressure you to act quickly without giving you time to think.

7. Bot accounts scams

Automated bot accounts are common on TikTok. They may seem genuine at first but are often designed to eventually lead you to malicious websites or trick you into giving up personal information.

Warning signs include:

Repetitive or unnatural phrasing
Random links in conversations
Vague or scripted responses

If something feels automated,stop the communication immediately.

8. TikTok phishing emails

These emails may offer to verify a badge, provide more followers, or sponsor you in some way. If you click on the link in these emails, you'll be taken to another site that will ask for your TikTok login information. By giving away your credentials, you are essentially giving hackers full access to your account. They might even lock you out of your account entirely.

If you receive random emails, it's best not to open them. If you do open the emails and suspect that they could be a phishing attempt, do not click on any links included therein.

9. TikTok shop scams

TikTok's marketplace has made it easier for vendors to sell products, but some sellers advertise items that are either fake or not as described. These vendors often disappear after making sales, leaving buyers with subpar products or nothing at all.

If something is being sold for an unbelievably low price, it's best not to trust it. Don’t waste your money on products that seem too good to be true or are not as described. TikTok Shop itself is legitimate, but individual sellers may operate fraudulently. To reduce your risk against TikTok shop scams, buy only from reputable vendors you recognize and from accounts with a blue checkmark next to their name, as these are verified by TikTok as genuine businesses.

10. Promoted scam apps and mobile games

Fake TikTok accounts that may promote scam apps. They will try to trick you into downloading a fake TikTok app or phony mobile games that resemble popular ones like Roblox. The goal is to steal your information or install spyware on your device, or bombard you with ads and malware that can steal your data.

Avoid downloading unknown apps. Some may charge you for services that are free elsewhere. Always read app reviews before downloading. If you see low ratings, it's a sign to stay away.

Ticketmaster Scams: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe

6 emerging scam tactics on TikTok

In addition to the most common scams, new tactics continue to appear on the platform.

1. Fake jobs

Some scammers contact users through TikTok with promises of high-paying jobs that require little effort. It's safer to look for jobs on websites made for that purpose.

2. Romance scams

Be careful if someone on TikTok says they love you but then asks for money. If they start talking about money, stop talking to them.

3. Gift card tricks

If someone asks you to send or accept gift cards as payment through a TikTok interaction, it’s likely a scam. Gift cards are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to recover.

4. Malicious links in bios

A growing tactic on TikTok is placing malicious links in the scammer's bio. These links promise free incentives, but clicking them can install data-stealing malware. Be very mindful of the links you decide to click on while using TikTok.

5. Fake giveaways and prizes

Be careful of TikTok posts saying you can win something for free. Most of these are lies to get your personal info or money.

6. Credit score repair scam

Don't believe anyone on TikTok who says they can quickly fix your credit score or remove negative information from your credit report. They're probably lying.

What to do if you've been scammed on TikTok

If you have fallen victim to a scam on TikTok, here's what you can do to minimize the impact:

Report the incident to TikTok.
Change your password for TikTok.
If you've lost money, consider contacting the police.
If you've given any banking information out, call your financial institution and report it immediately.

How to stay safe from scammers on TikTok

Be skeptical of get-rich-quick schemes or job offers promising high pay for little work.
Don't send money or gift cards to people you've only met online.
Avoid clicking links in user bios or messages, as they may lead to malware or phishing sites.
Use strong, unique passwords for your TikTok account and enable two-factor authentication.
Be wary of accounts impersonating celebrities or brands, especially those asking for money or personal information.
Don't participate in "money flipping" schemes where users claim they can quickly multiply your investment.
Ignore messages about winning contests you never entered.
Be cautious of romantic interests who develop quickly and ask for financial help.
Research any product or service extensively before making a purchase through TikTok.
Use Scamio, a scam detection tool, to help identify potential scams in TikTok videos and comments.
Report suspicious accounts or content to TikTok's moderation team.
Be wary of unsolicited investment advice or cryptocurrency schemes.
Don't share personal information like your address, phone number, or financial details on TikTok.
Be cautious of "exclusive" offers or time-limited deals that pressure you to act quickly.
Educate yourself about common scam tactics and stay updated on new trends in social media fraud.

You can also use Scamio, a scam detection tool, to help identify potential scams in TikTok videos and comments.

If you suspect someone is trying to scam you, or a website looks suspicious, check it with Scamio, our AI-powered scam detection tool. Send any texts, messages, links, QR codes, or images to Scamio, which will analyze them to determine if they are part of a scam. Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and your web browser. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the UK.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How do you know if someone on TikTok is real?

Check for a balanced follower-to-following ratio, verified badge (for notable figures), consistent content style, and natural engagement in comments. A reverse image search on profile photos can also help.

How to find out who's behind a fake TikTok?

Use TikTok’s reporting feature to flag suspicious accounts for the platform to investigate. Examine the account’s activity and linked platforms. If impersonation is involved, contact the legitimate person or brand being copied. They may be able to confirm whether the account is genuine or take action if it's fake.

What are some red flags that indicate a TikTok account might be a scammer?

Unrealistic financial promises
Requests for money or gift cards
Pressure to act quickly
Suspicious bio links
Rapid romantic escalation
Guaranteed investment returns

Top 10 TikTok scams to avoid and how to stay safe