Any Instagram users who have received a text message asking them to tap a link to gain back access to their account should be aware that it is likely to be a scam. For example, there was an Instagram ransom scam targeting corporate accounts and influencers that sent users DMs about a fake copyright violation on their posts. Users were then tricked into entering their password, thereby giving the scammers access to their account. Similar to the current scam, the ransom scam also relied on messages, albeit direct messages.A widespread scam reported by Instagram users relates to account access. Essentially, users receive a text message advising that there is an issue with their account. The message looks to make it easy for the user to regain access to their account by simply clicking on a link, but doing so could put the user’s account at risk. While it remains to be seen when the scam first surfaced, reports on Reddit date back to at least August 2020. Cybersecurity company Trend Micro even sent out a scam alert on social media, suggesting the scam is still active and a problem.
Related: How To Untag Yourself From An Instagram Post Or Story
Don't Tap On Text Links To Access Instagram
As is very often the case with text scams, the link is the main issue. These links can lead to any location on the internet and tend to be a way to direct users to a site where their login details can be entered. However, once entered those details are likely to fall into the hands of scammers, allowing them to then gain access to the account, possibly leading to even greater personal information being compromised. The first and main way to avoid this scam is to simply avoid these links altogether.
Any Instagram user can quickly and easily check if there is a possible problem by heading to the website or opening the app. If the user is able to sign in as normal, and without any notifications relating to an issue, then it is likely there is no issue to begin with. If there is a problem, then depending on the issue, it should be easy enough to fix, whether it is resetting an Instagram password or contacting Instagram to resolve the problem.
In general, services like Instagram will almost never text or call a user when there is a problem. Instead, these services usually contact a user by email or through a notification that’s either sent to a device from the app or is accessible once logging in. Due to this, it is almost always a good rule of thumb to just ignore any messages received by text, especially when they include links. This rule applies whether it’s Instagram or any other online service.
Tap To Access Your Instagram Account From 32665
In some cases, the "Tap to access your Instagram account" message comes from the number 32665. The reason this number is relevant is because it's the "official" Instagram number (via Reddit) that might send you a verification code if you can't log in. If you're locked out of your account and Instagram sends you a code to verify your number from 32665, that's fine because you initiated the verification.
But what happens if you randomly get a message from 32665 asking you to tap a link to get back into your Instagram account? In this case, it's most definitely a scam. If your Instagram account is working fine and you have no problem accessing it, never click on a link, even if it comes from the 32665 number.
Tips To Avoid Instagram Scams
As per Instagram, scams usually occur when someone creates a fake account or hacks into an existing user's account. With the latter, the scammer will often impersonate an account you follow on Instagram to trick you into providing banking details or personal information. In general, if anyone (friend or otherwise) asks you for money on Instagram, either as a personal loan or to pay a fee to win a prize, don't engage. If it's someone you know, reach out to them over a phone call or text message to find out if they actually sent you the DM.
Accounts claiming to be from Instagram security asking for account details like your username or password should never be trusted either. Instagram will never send a DM to your personal account regarding a security issue. Instead, you'll receive an official email from the platform. Since some of these emails can be phishing mails impersonating Instagram, there's an easy way to verify their authenticity.
On the Instagram app, tap on your profile picture in the bottom-right corner, tap the three-line hamburger icon in the top right, and then tap on 'Settings.' Tap on 'Security' and then on 'Emails from Instagram.' Official emails sent over the last 14 days will be displayed here, making it easy for you to verify the sender and identify if the email was sent by Instagram or a scammer.
Source: Reddit 1, 2, Trend Micro Home/Twitter, Instagram
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