The 10 Biggest TikTok Scams to Watch Out For in 2026: A Cybersecurity Expert‘s Guide

Social media scams are big business. In 2021 alone, over 95,000 people reported $770 million in losses to fraud initiated on social media platforms – an 18x increase over 2017 according to the Federal Trade Commission. And with TikTok continuing its meteoric rise, now boasting over 1 billion monthly active users, it has become an irresistible target for cybercriminals looking to fleece the unsuspecting out of their hard-earned cash.

As a cybersecurity professional who has tracked social engineering attacks for over a decade, I‘ve seen firsthand how quickly scams can proliferate on a platform as wildly popular and engaging as TikTok. The app‘s secret sauce – a content recommendation algorithm so effective it‘s been described as "addictive" – can unfortunately cause fraudulent videos to circulate far and wide before moderators take action to remove them.

So which scams are the most prevalent on TikTok as we head into 2024? I break down the top 10 and share tips for staying safe while still enjoying all the platform has to offer.

1. Financial Scams

One of the most common types of scams on TikTok are those promising quick and easy cash. You‘ve probably seen them – videos from accounts claiming you can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars a day just by downloading an app, purchasing an ebook of "secret moneymaking tips", or signing up for a "foolproof" trading strategy.

Often these videos rely on classic social engineering tactics like manufactured scarcity ("Only 10 spots left, act now!") and social proof in the form of alleged testimonials to create a false sense of legitimacy and FOMO. But those who fork over their money soon find it was all a ruse, and the scammer disappears without delivering on their promises.

Another financial scam to watch out for are fake giveaways and phishing attempts. A scammer may post that they are randomly selecting a lucky follower to win a big cash prize or lavish freebie, but there‘s a catch – to be eligible, you have to provide your name, address, email, and maybe even financial details.

Spoiler alert: there is no actual prize. It‘s just a ploy to harvest personal info the scammer can exploit for identity theft or hack into other accounts of yours using the same login credentials.

2. Crypto Scams

With the total market cap of cryptocurrencies surpassing $3 trillion in 2021, it‘s no wonder TikTok has been flooded with shill videos from self-proclaimed "crypto gurus" pumping the latest altcoin or promoting dubious investment schemes.

A frequent tactic is using a pump and dump approach – the scammer buys up a large amount of a little-known token, hypes it up on social media to get other investors to jump on the bandwagon and artificially inflate the price, then quickly cashes out their own holdings for a tidy profit before the value comes crashing back down.

In more blatant crypto scams, bad actors may claim to be experienced traders who can generate huge returns if you just send them some Bitcoin or Ethereum to invest on your behalf. Of course, if you take them up on the offer, kiss those funds goodbye – you‘ll never hear from the "trader" again. Only invest with legitimate, licensed professionals, not unvetted strangers on TikTok.

3. Romance and Sextortion Scams

While TikTok can be a fun place to make new friends around the world who share your interests, it‘s also teeming with catfishing attempts – scammers using a fake persona to build trust and spark a romantic connection with the goal of eventually asking for money.

This con often plays out over the course of weeks or months. The scammer showers the target with attention, professes their love, and makes plans for a future together, sometimes even sending small gifts as a token of affection. But there‘s always some obstacle preventing an in-person meeting. The scammer may claim they need help covering travel expenses, medical bills, or debts before they can make the trip to meet their supposed soulmate.

As a rule, never send money to someone you haven‘t met face to face, no matter how convincing their story may seem. And be extremely cautious about sharing intimate photos or videos that could be used as blackmail down the line in a sextortion racket. Stick to reputable dating apps for online romance and keep your conversations on the TikTok app itself instead of switching to an outside channel the scammer could use to dupe you further.

4. Influencer Impersonator Accounts

With top TikTok creators earning millions a year through brand deals and direct sales, it‘s no wonder scammers are creating fake accounts impersonating popular influencers to cash in on their clout. These bogus profiles often have handles very similar to the real creator and may even steal their photos and videos to look more convincing.

The impersonator may claim the influencer is doing a special fan giveaway or selling exclusive merch, directing followers to click a link to an external site to claim the prize or make a purchase. But there is no actual giveaway or merch – it‘s just a way to get you to cough up your credit card details or accidentally download malware.

To protect yourself, look for a blue verified checkmark next to an influencer‘s name to confirm it‘s their actual account. Be suspicious of any sales or offers that are significantly promoted on their main feed. And never hand over payment info to an unverified page.

5. Fake TikTok Technical Support

One particularly sneaky phishing tactic on TikTok involves scammers impersonating the app‘s own technical support staff. You may get a DM or comment from an account claiming to be from TikTok informing you there‘s an issue with your profile like a "copyright violation" or "suspicious activity" and you need to click a link to verify your identity.

But the linked page is a cleverly disguised phishing site designed to steal your login credentials, which the scammer can then use to fully hijack your account and lock you out. From there, they may use your TikTok to spread more scams or even blackmail you with the threat of posting embarrassing content from your camera roll.

Remember, TikTok will never reach out asking you to verify your info over DM. Any actual messages about your account will come through the app‘s official notification channel. If you‘re unsure, contact TikTok support directly through the "report a problem" feature in your settings.

6. Malware-Laden Apps and Software

TikTok‘s massive popularity has made it a breeding ground for ads and videos promoting shady apps and programs that claim to enhance your TikTok experience. Common examples include "follower tracker" apps that supposedly let you see who viewed your profile, editing software that unlocks premium filters or effects, or apps that claim to artificially boost your follower count and video likes.

In reality, many of these programs are little more than a front for spreading malware. Once installed, the software may scrape your personal data, bombard you with intrusive ads, or even spy on you through your camera and mic. Stick to well-reviewed, trusted tools and remember that any app promising cheats or hacks to game the system is likely a scam.

7. Comment Spam Bots

As you‘re scrolling through your TikTok comments, you may occasionally come across some oddly generic or irrelevant messages from accounts you don‘t recognize. "Great vid! 🔥 Check my profile for a surprise 😉" or "Wow, can‘t believe this is real! 😱 Go to [scam link] to learn more."

These aren‘t real people showing their appreciation for your content, but automated spam bots trying to direct traffic to dubious external websites. If you‘re curious and click through, you might land on a fake store hawking counterfeit goods, an adult cam site, or a page pushing some get-rich-quick scheme. Just ignore and delete these bot comments so you don‘t accidentally infect your device or get suckered into a scam.

8. Bogus Shopping Scams

Social commerce is booming on TikTok, with the platform on track to hit $20 billion in ecommerce sales by 2024. But not every storefront you encounter while scrolling your For You page is legit. Scammers are creating fake TikTok Shops that claim to offer name-brand items at too-good-to-be-true prices in hopes of getting you to place an order and hand over your payment details.

Common scams include stores pretending to sell hot ticket electronics for cheap, designer duds and accessories with questionable spelling (think "Guccy" instead of "Gucci"), and miracle beauty products supposedly endorsed by your favorite celebs. In most cases, victims either receive a cheap knockoff item or nothing at all – and the scammer ghosts when they try to complain.

Don‘t get duped. Be extremely skeptical of unfamiliar TikTok shops offering deep discounts on premium items. Look for misspellings and poor grammar in their item descriptions and profile. Check to see if the seller has a website you can find outside of TikTok and research their reputation. And use a credit card or secure third-party payment processor like PayPal to have some recourse if you get scammed.

9. Manipulated Media and Deepfakes

One emerging threat on TikTok involves the spread of misleading manipulated media and deepfake videos powered by AI. Bad actors can use machine learning to create highly realistic fake clips that appear to show a celebrity or politician saying or doing something shocking to stir controversy and distort public opinion.

Imagine an expertly crafted deepfake of your favorite actor that seems to show them promoting some shady product or investment scheme. It would be all too easy to fall for the scam if you didn‘t realize the endorsement was completely fabricated. As deepfakes grow more sophisticated, it will be increasingly difficult for the average user to spot digital deception.

While TikTok has announced plans to ban deepfakes outright, some fakes will inevitably slip through the cracks. Stay vigilant and fact check surprising claims before taking them at face value, especially when money is involved.

10. Fake Charities and Crowdfunding Pleas

Finally, scammers have been known to prey on TikTok users‘ charitable sides by creating fake profiles purporting to be collecting donations for a worthy cause. This is especially common in the wake of natural disasters and other crises that tug on the public‘s heartstrings.

You may come across an account claiming to be raising funds to support a local family who lost their home to a fire, or a profile that says it‘s gathering donations to cover life-saving surgery for someone‘s sick pet. But often there is no actual charity or crowdfunding campaign behind the request – just a cybercriminal hoping to line their own pockets with the misplaced generosity of strangers.

Only donate to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits you can vet and well-established, secure crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe. Never send money directly to an individual TikToker based on a video plea alone. With a little research, you can make sure your charitable giving actually reaches those in need instead of a scammer‘s Bitcoin wallet.

Staying Safe on TikTok in 2024

So what‘s the bottom line? How can you make the most of TikTok in the coming year without falling for a costly con? It really comes down to practicing a healthy skepticism.

Remember that anyone can pretend to be an expert on social media – approach grandiose claims and promises with caution. Be extremely wary of external links in comments and DMs trying to direct you offsite. Learn to spot the signs of a scam like high-pressure tactics and demands for sensitive info. If something seems too good to be true, trust your gut instinct.

You can also take some proactive safety measures like making your TikTok account private, enabling two-factor authentication, and carefully screening your follower requests. Regularly review your privacy settings and be selective about what personal details you share in your videos. The less scammers know about you, the harder it will be for them to exploit your info or target you with a personalized con.

Finally, stay up to date on the latest social engineering threats so you can adapt as scammers change their tactics. Follow trusted cybersecurity experts to learn about emerging TikTok scams and bookmark resources like the FTC‘s guide to detecting online fakes.

With some healthy vigilance and critical thinking, you can confidently create and enjoy content on TikTok without worrying about losing money or sensitive data to an opportunistic scammer. Here‘s to staying safe and savvy on social media in 2024!