Snapchat is the eleventh most popular social media website in the world with 800 million monthly active users. Despite being widely used for communication, fun filters, and private stories, it’s also a breeding ground for scams that target people of all ages, especially teenagers and young adults.
Considering the scale and popularity of the platform, it’s no surprise that scammers are targeting its users. But beware that when personal information falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to serious consequences.
So, what are some of the most common ? And what can you do to protect yourself?
Understanding Snapchat Scams
Snapchat scams are fraudulent schemes aimed at stealing sensitive information or tricking users into sending money. Scammers use deceptive tactics in these scams, including catfish scams and meetup scams. Their aim is to exploit users for financial gain or personal data.
Scammers exploit Snapchat’s features, such as disappearing messages and Snap Map, to deceive users. They pose as trusted individuals and engage in phishing attacks to manipulate users. Common techniques include creating fake profiles and sending phishing links to gather personal information.
Falling victim to these scams can lead to severe consequences, such as financial loss and compromised personal or financial information.
Common Snapchat Scams in 2025
Every year, Americans lose billions of dollars to social media scams, including those on Snapchat.
Scammers have become more sophisticated, often using generative AI to create realistic fake profiles and messages.
Let’s delve into the specifics of Snapchat scams.
Friend Account Recovery Scams
Friend account recovery scams on Snapchat often involve scammers impersonating friends to trick users into sharing personal login information. They typically use emotional stories or urgent requests for help to solicit personal information from victims.
Money-Making Scams
Money making scams often promise financial gain for companionship or fake emergency situations to solicit funds from victims. Common financial schemes include fake investment opportunities, often in the form of unregulated cryptocurrency offers. Scammers may hack into trusted contacts’ accounts to convince victims to invest in fraudulent schemes.
Once a victim sends money, scammers usually invent reasons to ask for additional payments, typically in gift cards.
Romance Scams
Romance scams on Snapchat frequently involve scammers creating emotional connections with victims before requesting money.
A common tactic is using catfishing, where scammers pose as potential romantic partners to exploit emotional connections. Common signs of a romance scam on Snapchat include the use of overly affectionate language. Additionally, scammers tend to be reluctant to meet in person or via video and often provide excuses for financial requests. Romance scammers may claim they need funds to visit you or handle an emergency as a tactic to extract money.
Phishing and Account Takeover Scams
Phishing scams on Snapchat often create fake communications mimicking official messages to deceive users into providing their login details. Scammers use phishing scams to steal login credentials or personal information using fake login pages or messages. When users click on phishing scam links, they are directed to a fake site that collects their credentials.
After gaining login credentials, scammers can log into the hacked account, change the password, and assume the user’s identity. A phishing attack can lead to identity theft, where scammers may solicit money from the victim’s friends and family.
Premium Account Scams
Premium Snapchat scams promise exclusive content for a subscription fee. Fraudsters often impersonate content creators to lure victims into subscribing to fake premium accounts. Scammers typically send unsolicited messages with suggestive content to entice users into paying for Snapchat premium scams.
Payments are often requested through external platforms like Venmo or Cash App, and victims frequently receive little to no real content after payment.
Sextortion Scams
Sextortion scams involve blackmail threats to expose private information or explicit images unless money is sent. Scammers often pretend to be romantically interested in their victims. Requests for explicit photos early in a relationship are a warning sign that someone may be a victim of sextortion.
Young men are often targeted due to their false sense of security that can be exploited by fake love interests. When a scammer successfully blackmails a victim, they typically continue demanding more money over time.
Impersonation Scams
Impersonation scams involve scammers creating fake accounts that mimic friends, celebrities, or Snapchat support to solicit money or information. Scammers typically hack the accounts of trusted contacts and use deceiving stories to ask for help or money. They often adopt the conversational style of the individual they are impersonating, making it difficult for victims to spot the scam.
Protecting Your Snapchat Account
Understanding common scams and implementing protective practices greatly reduces the risk to prevent Snapchat scams. Here’s what you can do:
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Enhance account security by using two-factor authentication, which requires a second form of verification. This adds a crucial step by sending a verification code to your mobile device, providing extra protection during login.
Having two-factor authentication activated provides an additional layer of security when accessing your Snapchat account. This simple step can make a big difference in keeping your account secure.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
A strong password should include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not contain easily guessed personal information. Password managers can help you generate and store complex passwords securely, minimizing the risk of using weak ones. A strong password should also be at least 12 characters long and avoid using common phrases.
Regularly Monitor Account Activity
It is advisable to keep an eye on your account activity to quickly identify and report any suspicious actions. Also, regularly monitoring your bank account allows you to catch issues early and secure it before significant damage occurs.
Reporting and Recovering from Scams
If you suspect your account is compromised, the following steps can help you mitigate the damage.
Use the In-App Reporting Feature
Snapchat provides an in-app reporting feature for users to report scams. To report a suspicious account, tap ‘Report’ on the snap, story, or account directly within the app.
The reporting feature enables users to quickly flag scammers, helping to protect the app community.
Contact Snapchat Support
If your Snapchat account is compromised, contact Snapchat support for help. Report the issue to Snapchat right away, and they will assist you in recovering your account through a verification process.
Warn Your Contacts
Let your friends and followers know that your account was compromised, especially if the scammer contacted them or used your account to scam others.
Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider
If you’ve sent money to the scammer, reach out to your bank or payment provider immediately to report the transaction and seek help in reversing it.
Let’s Recap
Scams on Snapchat can happen to anyone, but knowing what to look for and how to protect yourself can make all the difference. From impersonation scams to phishing attempts, staying aware of these common fraudulent schemes helps you keep your account and personal information safe.
Simple steps like using a strong password, turning on two-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious activity can go a long way in preventing issues. If you ever find yourself in a tricky situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to Snapchat support — they’re there to help.
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Andrew Reeves is a content writer from USA with a strong background in blog writing. Starting his career in news writing, Andrew has built a broad portfolio, covering everything from feature writing to SWOT analysis of apps. When not at his laptop, Andrew can be found recording his podcast, taking selfies, or road-tripping.