Your social media profile says a lot about you—your interests, your friends, your sense of humor. But to a scammer, it’s something else: opportunity. Social media hijacking is the modern twist on identity theft, where criminals steal or impersonate accounts to trick your followers, run scams, or wreck reputations.
It’s not just celebrities or influencers who are targeted anymore. Average users are losing control of their accounts and watching their online selves turned into scam factories. And with these scams becoming more sophisticated, even your most cautious friends could fall for a fake DM from you.
How It Happens
Hijackers typically gain access through phishing links (“click here to verify your account”), malicious ads, or fake brand collabs that ask you to “sign in.” Once they’re in, they change your password and recovery info—locking you out.
Then the real damage begins. Scammers use your account to:
- Message friends or followers asking for money
- Promote fake crypto tokens or giveaways
- Post phishing links or fake job offers
- Impersonate you to hurt your reputation
When your trusted name shows up in someone’s feed, it’s the perfect disguise for deception.
What’s Fueling the Surge
This wave of social media hijacking isn’t random—it’s being driven by three major trends:
1. AI Makes Impersonation Easy
Deepfake tools and AI-generated content have made impersonation effortless. A recent Brazilian scam used deepfake videos of Gisele Bündchen in fake Instagram ads to push bogus skincare products, reaching millions before being shut down. Even small-scale criminals can now clone a person’s face or voice to make their scams believable.
2. Crypto & Cash-Grab Scams Thrive on Familiar Faces
When pro wrestler Matt Hardy’s Instagram account was recently hijacked, it was used to promote a fake “WLFI” cryptocurrency token. Fans who trusted him clicked in droves. Hijacked influencer accounts are goldmines for promoting fake investments and giveaways because followers rarely question “verified” handles.
3. Trust Is Eroding—Even Verification Isn’t Safe
Blue checkmarks used to mean “authentic.” Now, scammers can buy verification or spoof it entirely. The result? People assume legitimacy based on the badge, while attackers exploit the illusion of trust. Combined with massive data leaks and password reuse, social hijackings are happening at unprecedented speed.
Real-World Fallout
In one recent UK case, scammers took over a woman’s Instagram to sell fake concert tickets, stealing more than £1,400 from her friends and followers. They mimicked her tone so well that even coworkers believed it was her. The emotional impact can often be just as severe as the financial consequences, and losing control of your digital identity feels personal because it is, in fact, personal.
How To Keep Your Online Self Secure
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts—app-based is the safest.
- Avoid clicking links in “urgent” DMs or brand offers—go to the official site instead.
- Rotate and strengthen passwords or use a password manager.
- Check for unusual posts or logins—early detection matters.
- Inform your followers quickly if your account is compromised—transparency limits the damage.
LibertyID Identity Theft Solutions for Individuals, Couples, and Families* provides its subscribers with 360° fully managed identity fraud concierge restoration services. We are experts in resolving all common forms of identity fraud. Our subscribers can also enroll in our Proactive Detection, which monitors and sends alerts when their SSN, Address, Dark Web, criminal record, and credit reports change.
*LibertyID defines an extended family as you, your spouse/partner, your parents and parents-in-law, and your children under the age of 25.