TruCommunity Blog

Some of you may not use TikTok but you likely have heard of it. The social media app is highly popular to create, share, and watch short videos (usually 15 seconds or less). In 2024, the app has more than 1 billion monthly active users world-wide making it the fifth most-used social network. Users spend on average 50-90 minutes per day in the app, and the largest user demographic is kids age 16 to 24 years old. The popularity is also bringing scammers to the app, too. The more time in the app, the more likely you may encounter a scammer.

Key Ways to Protect Yourself or Your Children:

1. Be Skeptical of Easy Money – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid participating in trends promoting easy cash or trying to trick ATMs. Some of those TikTok trends are check fraud schemes.
2. Verify the Source – always check if the account promoting a trend is legitimate. Scammers may pose as celebrities or influencers. Well-known brands or creators should be verified with a blue checkmark next to the username. If the blue check verification badge is displayed elsewhere, it is not a verified account.
3. Protect Your Info – never share personal or financial details such as banking information as part of any TikTok challenge.
4. Other Red Flags – things to consider to help protect yourself include:
   • Don’t pay for “likes”.
   • Don’t post stuff you wouldn’t want the whole world to see. Scammers try to use “video shaming” and target your family members with blackmail.
   • Be suspicious of TikTok messages. Phishing emails may lure you to login using a fake link.

By staying alert and informed, you or your children can enjoy the fun of TikTok without falling prey to online scams. Always think twice before jumping into any trend – your financial security is more important than a viral moment!