Fraud
From phishing links and fake giveaways, to impersonation and romance scams, fraud on social media has become a major threat to our safety and privacy. Find out how these scams operate and what we can do to create a safer digital environment.
Rise of Fraud on Social Media
What's Happening?
Scammers are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to trick users, using a variety of methods, into handing over sensitive personal information.
Common Tactics:
- Fake Giveaways: Scammers lure users with fake prizes, often asking for personal information or a small fee necessary to redeem the nonexistent prize.
- Phishing Links: Deceptive links disguised as legitimate content that instead lead users to malware downloads and information stealing.
- $26,093 was lost for every 100,000 CT residents to phishing scams in 2022 [Source]
- Romance & Impersonation Scams: User creates fake profiles that build and then exploits the trust of victims, often manipulating them into sending them money.
- Investment Scams: Scammers use doctored screenshots or impersonate influencers in order to promote false investment advice.
Policy Spotlight
What is Being Done?
- Attorney General William Tong has joined several attorneys general across the country in urging Meta to take stronger action against fraud, emphasizing the need for an improvement in data security
- Local police have hosted fraud prevention events with a focus on elder scam prevention.
- The Governor’s Interagency Fraud Taskforce brings together over a dozen Connecticut state agencies to detect and recover funds lost to fraud and abuse in state programs. CT residents can report fraud through its fraud and complaint portal.
Internet Crime Laws in Connecticut
- Connecticut General Statutes 53-451(b) — Unauthorized Use of a Computer or Computer Network: Criminalizes accessing a computer system or network without permission.[Source]
- Connecticut General Statutes 53-451(c) — Unlawful Sale or Distribution of Certain Software: Prohibits the sale or distribution of software primarily designed to commit unauthorized computer access. [Source]
Connecticut is at a critical moment: stronger social media fraud protections are needed, but full legislation has yet to be passed. Specific laws are needed because fraud is harder to trace on social media and often enabled by the platforms themselves, rendering older laws obsolete and inefficient
- Require verification for business and influencer accounts.
- Enforce penalties on platforms that repeatedly fail to swiftly take down reported scams.
- Increase state funding for digital literacy programs.
Take Action Together!
Everyone can help reduce fraud by staying informed and reporting suspicious activity. Share this knowledge with your community, advocate for transparency, and hold companies and policymakers responsible for their actions.