Steer Clear Before it's Too Late: 8 Red Flags That are Signs of TikTok Scams to Avoid

Safety tips to steer clear of trouble on TikTok

While TikTok strives to remove scam-related content, some of it still slip through, which is why it's crucial to take control and curate your feed. TikTok, while fun, attracts identity thieves, hackers, and bullies, and staying alert and cautious when consuming content is the key to avoid cybercriminals.

TikTok's rapid growth, with over a billion users in under a decade, brings security risks. So familiarize yourself with these schemes and how to respond when you encounter them. Here's how to spot and prevent TikTok scams and stay safe in the online world.

1. Get-Rich-Quick Programs

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. Criminals capitalize on the burgeoning influencer culture on TikTok to propagate schemes promising quick wealth. These schemes often gain the widespread attention of aspiring, albeit inexperienced, young individuals who easily become ensnared by profiles touting instant prosperity and achievement. Nevertheless, these get-rich-quick endeavors seldom yield results, and fraudsters leverage popular trends to craft hollow business proposals. They recycle the same "courses" until the trend loses its appeal. They originate from a false guru who advises viewers to present AI-generated content as their own on freelance platforms. This practice is misleading and unsustainable.

2. Fake Business Accounts 

TikTok's algorithm is unique, as it doesn't prioritize popular users like other social networks. Instead, it focuses on relevance, allowing new accounts to land on the For You Page (FYP) if they tap into current trends or use popular music. This algorithm is meant to give up-and-coming creators a chance to kickstart their careers. However, scammers exploit it to promote fake business accounts with just a few viral videos. Even dummy accounts run by bots can look credible with thousands of followers and viewers. To spot fake profiles, cross-check them on other social media platforms, and avoid suspicious accounts with no presence on mainstream social networks, regardless of their TikTok follower count.

3. Non-Existent Dropshipping Suppliers

Dropshipping remains popular, with numerous online resources offering guidance on setting up eCommerce stores and finding suppliers. Some even provide coaching programs. While dropshipping is a legitimate business model, caution is essential due to scammers in the industry. Some claim to be experts and sell costly, ineffective programs, while others engage in outright scams, promising inventory they don't possess. Dropshipping operates entirely online, which makes it harder to verify partners, and scammers exploit this by posing as suppliers and asking for upfront payments. To protect yourself, carefully screen potential partners, and avoid those without an official website, offering low-quality content, or refusing to provide receipts.

4. Viral TikTok Bot Accounts

Bot accounts exist on numerous social networks, but TikTok's distinctive algorithm enhances their potential for gaining traction. The platform prioritizes video relevance, and even bots can end up on For You Pages (FYP) if they accumulate enough likes, views, and shares. Bot accounts engage in scams after inflating their follower count, promoting worthless courses, masquerading as financial influencers, or disseminating malicious links, among other schemes. It's essential to quickly identify bot accounts. Keep an eye out for warning signs such as profile pictures featuring stock images and usernames with special characters.

5. Fake TikTok Apps

Scammers are known to distribute counterfeit versions of TikTok, enticing potential victims with promises of exclusive features like anonymous profile views, automated followers, and guaranteed views. It's important to note that such unofficial versions are not found on the official mobile apps. Unfortunately, the majority of third-party APK files for social networks are deceptive. They often demand subscription fees, compromise your data, or infect your device with spyware. They claim to offer dark themes, VPN compatibility, and bot followers, but clicking on their download links only triggers random ads. It is advisable to completely disregard unofficial apps. Stick to downloading apps exclusively from reputable sources like Google Play or the App Store.

6. Paid TikTok Views and Followers

Many aspiring influencers have contemplated the idea of purchasing followers. The concept involves investing in fake followers with the hope that real fans will eventually take notice of your profile. You can potentially acquire thousands of followers for just a few hundred dollars. However, it's not likely to leave a positive impression. In fact, having thousands of followers with generic usernames like user182729 may make your profile appear inauthentic. Furthermore, TikTok may take action against your account, potentially leading to its closure.

7. Comment Impersonation

Impersonation scams are prevalent on finance and business-oriented TikTok accounts. Impersonators duplicate the profile pictures and usernames of reputed individuals, aiming to deceive fans into believing they are interacting with real personalities. They often lurk in the comments sections and, if you engage with them, they may attempt to redirect you to another messaging platform. Most impersonation scams involve financial transactions, with cybercriminals persuading victims to send money in exchange for seemingly lucrative opportunities such as mentorship programs, online courses, or cryptocurrency investments. If a profile lacks verification, has no posts, and employs a strange username, it is likely an impersonator.

8. Romance Scams

Online dating scammers are not limited to dating apps; they also exploit social networks, including TikTok. Romance scams are prevalent on the platform due to the way it promote various profiles, allowing scammers to target a wide range of potential victims, even without a substantial following. These scammers usually steal images and videos from less well-known models to avoid detection. They invest time in building trust with victims over weeks or months before requesting "favors." These favors may include money or sensitive personal information, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars. Requests for money from a dubious account are a clear red flag, and you need to move on from that toxic relationship.