Why Social Media Protection Now Matters as Much as Credit Card Security

Credit cards, social security numbers, and bank account information are among the things you'd never give to a stranger, and your social media login should be treated the same way.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, social media account takeovers were the leading form of identity misuse and the "top threat to the general public" in 2025.

So, what is a social media takeover? It's when someone gains access and takes control of your account without your permission. Cybercriminals can then post harmful information about you, steal personal information, or message family and friends. This often leads to hackers asking and potentially succeeding at stealing money from your loved ones.

Serious consequences of social media account takeover also include:

• Lost access to work or side-hustle accounts
• Lost income
• Missed job opportunities
• Denial of loan applications
• Your account being used in cryptocurrency or impersonation scams

Regaining control of a social media account isn't always easy. Cybercriminals can quickly change passwords and recovery information, and platforms may require extra identity verification before returning your access.

While recovery is still possible, it may take time. That's why it's important to enable strong security measures and to act quickly if you notice suspicious activity.

Protect yourself with these steps:

• Use multifactor authentication
• Create unique passphrases for your passwords, and don't reuse them
• Never share your login information with anyone you don't trust
• Update recovery info regularly
• Keep your email secure
• Be cautious when using third-party apps

For more information on how to protect yourself from cybercriminals, visit our Fraud & Security Center.