As social media has become a vital part of our lives, there has been a rise in identity theft cases. This occurs when an individual obtains and then uses your personal information for fraudulent purposes.
There are various ways that individuals can get their identity stolen and personal information shared through social media and online.
1- Phishing Scams
Phishing scams on social media are one common was in which people get their identities stolen. In this type of scam, an attacker sends an email that looks like it’s from a reputable source, such as a bank or social media platform. The recipient is fooled into believing it is a legitimate entity, and then provides their personal information, which typically includes their login credentials and password. The attacker can then use this information to access their accounts.
2- Social Engineering
Another common way that people can get their identity taken online is through social engineering. This type of psychological manipulation occurs when an attacker pretends to be someone they know in order to trick victims into giving up their personal information. For instance, if an attacker creates a fake social media page, it could be used to send you messages and emails. 
3- Public Wi-Fi
Another way that people can get their identity stolen online is through public Wi-Fi networks. These are typically unsecured and can be used by anyone to access them. An attacker can then use this network to steal various details, such as your credit card information or login credentials.
4- Oversharing
One of the ways that people can get their identity stolen online is by sharing too much personal information. For instance, if you post your full name, address, and date of birth on social media, it can be used by attackers to establish fake accounts and obtain credit cards in your name.
5- Malware
Another common way that individuals can acquire their identity theft online is through malware. Malware is a type of software that aims to harm a person’s computer or steal their personal information. It can be used to infect a person’s device through social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook. Once the device is infected, the attacker can access your accounts or steal your data.
Despite the popularity of social media, it has also made many of us more prone to identity theft. Being aware of the various ways that people can get their identities stolen through social media can help prevent us from falling victim to this crime. To minimize the risks of identity theft, we should always be cautious when we connect with people online. Also by avoiding the urge to click suspicious links and keep our devices protected from malware with anti-virus software, we can be protected.
Check out other ways you can stay clear of fraud and scams here.