Last night, as I was scrolling through Instagram, I received a weird-looking message request on the official AIRespondsBlog handle from a profile named Paulina. Upon opening the message, I realized that it was a typical scam tactic prevalent on social media platforms. But it came as a shock since I had never faced something like this on Instagram. So, I got to the research part!
Within a few minutes, reality hit, and it hit hard. Surprisingly, such scams have become rampant of late, and thousands of people every year fall prey to these on Instagram. We now have different categories of these, from phishing scams to impersonation scams to collaboration scams and much more, all designed to trick unsuspecting users.
My aim through this blog is to guide you through the Instagram DM scam and create awareness about the tips to stay safe, protect your money, and secure your digital identity!
How can I spot Instagram scam messages?
Any message that’s sent to deceive a user into sharing login credentials, banking details, private information, or with the aim of committing financial fraud falls under the Instagram DM scam. To spot one, look for these key indicators:
- Tricks you into clicking on a link
- Asks you for monetary help
- Promises financial rewards for simple tasks
- Offers a job you never applied for
- Contains sexually explicit photos/videos
How do I stay protected from the Instagram DM scam?
1. Never click on links
First things first, never click on any links received via Instagram messages from unknown senders. These could redirect you to official-looking websites created by threat actors to trick users into submitting critical information, be it login credentials, banking details, or information about crypto wallets. In the past few years, crypto-related Instagram DM scams have picked up pace due to the mass adoption of the technology.
Also, sometimes, the links injected in these scam messages may be shortened, not clearly indicating the target URL. This, again, is a red flag, and you must tread with caution!
2. Review the sender’s profile
When you receive a message request (DM from someone you are not connected with) on Instagram, your primary approach should be to review their profile and verify whether you have any mutual connections. In case there are common followers, talk to them and find out whether they too received a similar message. If yes, the sender’s account could be hacked, and a threat actor might be sending these DMs.
Now, to the next possibility where the sender and you don’t have any mutual connections. In this case, thoroughly check their profile for pictures, followers, and followings. If the posts don’t look real or the display picture is generic or missing, it’s a fake Instagram account designed to trick unsuspecting users through the Instagram DM scam.
Here’s something interesting I discovered about the account that tried to trick me. I checked its followers list, which led me to another very similar profile, and upon inspecting that, I came across a third profile that resembled the first two, indicating that all three were created for the same purpose: scamming people through Instagram messages.
3. Wait for 24-48 hours before replying
A top-rated trick to stay protected from the Instagram DM scam (or on another platform) is to wait for 24-48 hours before replying. During this period, observe the sender’s profile and check for frequent changes, such as the profile picture or bio. If the profile takes up different forms in this period or is deactivated, it certainly was a scam!
Remember, even if the message highlights a sense of urgency, don’t fall for it. These malicious actors carefully craft messages that request/demand immediate action from your end. For instance, an Instagram DM scam about a lottery win or giveaway offer, where you are required to fill out a form within 24 hours to claim the rewards.
Another key benefit of waiting before responding to the message is that it gives you time to clear your head and not let the emotional side take charge!
4. Set your Instagram account to Private
If you frequently receive Instagram messages from unknown senders, setting your profile to private is a good idea. This minimizes your profile visibility and, at the same time, prevents threat actors from gathering more information about you, besides what’s listed in the bio. So, this will ultimately result in fewer Instagram scam messages making it to your DMs.
To set your Instagram account to private, navigate to your profile > tap on the hamburger (☰) icon > choose Account privacy > enable the toggle for Private account.
5. Verify recent official communication from Instagram
If you receive emails or DMs from official-looking Instagram addresses or handles, it’s time to verify whether these are indeed official. To do that, you simply need to check whether Instagram has had any official communication sent to you in the recent past, be it related to account logins, security, or general information.
To check recent emails from Instagram, go to your Instagram profile > tap the hamburger (☰) icon > select Accounts Centre > choose Password and security > tap on Recent emails under Security checks > select your Instagram account > tap on Continue > sign in to your account > view recent emails from Instagram.
If Instagram hasn’t sent you any official emails, the ones that you received are either a part of the Instagram DM scam or another similar malicious scheme!
6. Regularly review your followers’ lists
Not all Instagram scam DMs originate from random, bot-like accounts with 0-10 followers in 2025. These days, threat actors devise new strategies to scam unsuspecting users. And one of them is hacking into real accounts and then sending messages to all the users they are connected with. So, you may even get an Instagram scam DM from someone on your followers list.
To avoid this, it’s best to periodically inspect the followers list and remove any accounts that have displayed irregular or spam-like behavior in the recent past. This way, you are only connected with real profiles, ones who will actually engage with your content and, at the same time, reduce the risk of falling for the Instagram DM scam!
7. Use a strong account password and enable 2-FA
The last tip is more of a security-oriented suggestion and a must-do for all. Remember, accounts with stronger passwords are at a lower risk of getting hacked. When you add another level of protection, 2-FA (Two Factor Authentication), the risk minimizes further!
This way, even if you inadvertently click on a link in an Instagram scam message, threat actors won’t be able to access your account because of two-factor authentication.
I got scammed on Instagram. What can I do?
If you got scammed on Instagram, first, change the account’s password and enable 2-FA. Next, document the entire conversation and capture as many screenshots. Even the tiniest of details are critical here. Now, report the account/profile that scammed you to Instagram. Here are the steps for it on Instagram’s official website.
If you paid any money to the scammer, dispute the payment immediately via your bank and share the details and screenshots with the banking partner/payment platform. For payment platforms like PayPal, chargebacks are usually closed in favor of the sender, i.e., you.
Lastly, register a complaint with the local authorities and request/demand action against the malicious actors. If enough people take a stand, things are bound to change, and instances of these scams will come crashing down!
That’s all you need to know to stay protected from the Instagram DM scam and navigate the situation if you ever fall prey to one. Remember, with the advancements in AI, instances of scams are going through the roof. Threat actors can now quickly evolve and adapt to the changes in Instagram’s algorithm and avoid detection. So, ultimately, it’s you who has to remain vigilant.
Before you leave, learn how experts buy Instagram followers safely and cheaply!
For any queries or to share your experience with the Instagram DM scam, drop a comment below.
With over five years of experience in the tech industry, Kazim excels at simplifying complex topics, making them accessible to tech enthusiasts and general readers alike. He has contributed to several renowned publications worldwide, including WindowsReport and Allthings.how, bringing insightful coverage of key developments in the field.
In the past, Kazim was closely associated with a digital marketing firm that handled social media profiles of influencers. This helped him gain deep insights into Instagram’s algorithm and policies.
