Social media: comments, posts and ads · stamped ACCOUNT THEFT

The "I reported you by mistake" messageACCOUNT THEFT

A real scam people fell for this year, next to the real thing. The numbers mark the three things to check: hover or tap one to see what it tells you.

Safe
IInstagram×
https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
Jjune.bakes.at.homeInstagram
omg sorry, I think I hit report on your cake post by mistake, I meant to tap save 🙈9:41
haha no worries9:42
I already went into my reports and cancelled it, so nothing will happen. Your lemon cake looks amazing btw!9:42
Message june.bakes.at.home
ScamACCOUNT THEFT
IInstagram×
https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/
Llily.makes.cakesInstagram
hiii sorry to bother you 😭 I think I reported your account by mistake, I meant to report the one next to it9:41
oh, ok?9:42
Instagram says it could get disabled in 24 hours. You have to message their Trust and Safety team on Discord, the user is meta.trustsafety, so they can clear it9:42
Message lily.makes.cakes

Always check the Discord.

It sends you to a "Trust and Safety team" on Discord. Instagram has no support on Discord: the "agent" there asks for your login or a fee, then takes your account.

Always checkThe real oneThe scam
1Where it livesIs it the real company's or person's own address or number?

A follower who says sorry and fixed it themselves.

A stranger who sends you to a username on Discord.

2What it asks you to doCheck firstDoes it want a password, a payment, a call, or a tap?

Nothing. They already cancelled the report.

Message "meta.trustsafety" on Discord to save your account.

3How hard it pushesIs there a deadline, a threat, or a surprise charge?

No threat, it's all sorted.

"Disabled in 24 hours".

RememberInstagram, X and Reddit never run support through Discord or a stranger's username. Ignore anyone who says you must message one.

Would you have spotted it?

10 pairs like this one, three minutes, a score to share. Then find out who in the family is the easy mark.

Take the testNext scam: The "$2,500 bonus code" from a friend →