With billions of users worldwide, social media platforms can be a breeding ground for illicit activity — from simple identity theft to sophisticated and wide-ranging fraud schemes. Here’s an overview of some of the most common social media scams and tips to help prevent you or your business from becoming a fraud victim. Crooks find opportunities As with email, social media messages can trick users into clicking links and providing sensitive information, such as their usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers and financial account numbers. “Romance” scammers also use social media to pose as potential partners, manipulate the emotions of victims and then steal from them. Or bad actors may contact users about fake investment opportunities (particularly involving cryptocurrency), illegitimate contests, bogus lotteries and false inheritances. To gain the...