$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Social media scams/Snapchat
Snapchat account takeover scam
Scammers trick Snapchat users into sharing login credentials or verification codes through fake support messages, then lock them out and use the account for further fraud.
“social media scam”
↑ 470%Key indicators
Usually targetsYoung adults
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$400
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports95,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers compromise one Snapchat account and then message that user's friends asking them to help with account verification
2
The victim receives a real Snapchat verification code on their phone and shares it with the scammer, who uses it to take over their account
3
The hijacked account is then used to scam more contacts, promote fraudulent schemes, or demand a ransom to return the account
What to do first
Never share verification codes with anyone — Snapchat will never ask you to share codes with friends
Related terms
Snap hack scamSnapchat phishingaccount hijacking scamSocial media scamsSnapchatSurgingYoung adultsSocial media usersEducators and studentsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaSnap hack scamSnapchat phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 24, a young adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate social media scams situation while using Snapchat. Scammers compromise one Snapchat account and then message that user's friends asking them to help with account verification
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The victim receives a real Snapchat verification code on their phone and shares it with the scammer, who uses it to take over their account
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The hijacked account is then used to scam more contacts, promote fraudulent schemes, or demand a ransom to return the account
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when message from a friend's account asking you to help them verify their login by sharing a code sent to your phone. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never share verification codes with anyone — Snapchat will never ask you to share codes with friends Christopher's experience shows why message from a friend's account asking you to help them verify their login by sharing a code sent to your phone and email claiming to be from snapchat support asking you to click a link and enter your password are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Message from a friend's account asking you to help them verify their login by sharing a code sent to your phone
- Email claiming to be from Snapchat support asking you to click a link and enter your password
- Sudden increase in messages from your account that you did not send
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never share verification codes with anyone — Snapchat will never ask you to share codes with friends
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your Snapchat account through Settings > Two-Factor Authentication
- ✓If your account is compromised, use Snapchat's official account recovery at support.snapchat.com
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Snapchat has acknowledged account takeover as a persistent issue and has implemented additional security features in response to user reports
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never share verification codes with anyone — Snapchat will never ask you to share codes with friends
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your Snapchat account through Settings > Two-Factor Authentication
- ✓If your account is compromised, use Snapchat's official account recovery at support.snapchat.com
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Snapchat has acknowledged account takeover as a persistent issue and has implemented additional security features in response to user reports
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Young adults, Social media users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Snapchat — Social media scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Young adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Snapchat has acknowledged account takeover as a persistent issue and has implemented additional security features in response to user reports
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about snapchat account takeover scam
How does the snapchat account takeover scam work?+
Scammers compromise one Snapchat account and then message that user's friends asking them to help with account verification The victim receives a real Snapchat verification code on their phone and shares it with the scammer, who uses it to take over their account The hijacked account is then used to scam more contacts, promote fraudulent schemes, or demand a ransom to return the account
What are the warning signs of snapchat account takeover scam?+
Message from a friend's account asking you to help them verify their login by sharing a code sent to your phone Email claiming to be from Snapchat support asking you to click a link and enter your password Sudden increase in messages from your account that you did not send
What should I do if I encounter snapchat account takeover scam?+
Never share verification codes with anyone — Snapchat will never ask you to share codes with friends Enable two-factor authentication on your Snapchat account through Settings > Two-Factor Authentication If your account is compromised, use Snapchat's official account recovery at support.snapchat.com
Who is most at risk for snapchat account takeover scam?+
This scam primarily targets Young adults, Social media users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Snapchat.
Is snapchat account takeover scam getting worse?+
Snapchat account takeover scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.