As a new industry, scammers are taking advantage and preying on the eagerness of the industry to grow, make money and collaborate. We’re seeing this blogging scam time and time again, Instagram accounts getting hacked, bloggers not getting paid for partnerships, or product showing up that isn’t what it was expected. Avoiding these blogging scams and illegitimate businesses is part of the job. Here are 6 telltale signs of a scam!
6 Ways To Spot A Blogging Scam
1. Spelling Errors
Major spelling errors are usually a big red flag that something’s not right. Most reputable brands and businesses are hiring educated and professional people to run their influencer marketing campaigns. And spelling is usually something they’re not so bad at.
2. Links To An Instagram Account
This is the NUMBER ONE WAY people’s Instagrams are being hacked. If there’s a link to an Instagram account within an email and it prompts you to SIGN BACK INTO INSTAGRAM, it is a scam. It’s collecting your password so that they can hack your account. It’s likely you are already signed into your Instagram on your phone or computer, right? So why is it asking you to sign in? BIG RED FLAG
3. Foreign Businesses
Not all foreign businesses may mean a scam. But if there’s already something fishy going on, and they’re not a domestic business that you’ve heard of, then definitely proceed with caution.
4. Weird Salutations
If an email inquiry addresses you by the first word of your blog name, or just “hi dear” it’s usually a red flag. These are automated emails that are sent to the masses.
5. They Ask You to Buy Something
If a brand came to you requesting you purchase something, there’s no way it can be legitimate. Reputable brands have a budget to provide free products for campaigns or gift cards.
6. Trust Your Gut
Your instincts usually won’t steer you wrong. If something doesn’t look or sound right or sounds WAY too good to be true, well, it likely is.
If you think an email looks fishy, just do a quick Google search. See if the brand or company actually exists, or looks reputable. You can usually easily spot a fake and you can save yourself a big headache! Trust your gut, Google and please, DO NOT CLICK INSTAGRAM LINKS!
