Phishing attacks are nothing new but cybercriminals continue to adapt their tactics, now blending social engineering with real platform features to trick even tech-savvy users.
A new phishing campaign targeting Instagram users is making the rounds in 2025, and it’s more convincing than most. While it may seem like something that only affects influencers or personal accounts, this scam has serious implications for businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities using Instagram for outreach or brand visibility.
Here’s what you need to know and how to keep your accounts and employees safe.
The Scam: Fake Copyright Violation Claims
Victims receive a direct message or email claiming their Instagram account has violated copyright law and will be disabled unless they respond. The message includes a legitimate-looking link to appeal the alleged violation.
But here’s the trick: the link leads to a fake login page that perfectly mimics Instagram’s interface. Once a user enters their credentials, attackers gain full access to the account, sometimes locking out the original user within minutes.
Why This Matters for Your Business or Agency
If your organization uses Instagram to:
- Communicate with the public
- Share updates or promotions
- Post official alerts
- Engage with your local community
…then you are a potential target. Social accounts are often managed by multiple team members, and one wrong click could result in:
- Public-facing posts made by attackers
- Loss of account access
- Credential reuse that compromises other accounts
- Reputational damage and public confusion
Worse, many attackers use compromised accounts to phish more victims, putting your audience at risk.
Warning Signs of This Instagram Phishing Scam
Here’s how to spot the fake messages:
- Urgency or fear tactics (“Your account will be disabled in 24 hours”)
- Poor grammar or off-brand formatting
- Unusual sender address or profile name
- Links that lead to non-Instagram domains (hover before you click)
- Requests for passwords or 2FA codes
Instagram and Meta will never DM you about copyright violations, all official communication is through the in-app notification center or verified email addresses.
How to Protect Your Staff and Accounts
At SofTouch Systems, we recommend every organization take these basic steps:
✅ 1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Add a layer of protection, even if your credentials are stolen, 2FA makes it harder to breach your account.
✅ 2. Assign Social Media Access Carefully
Use shared credential managers like Bitwarden, or assign platform-specific roles rather than sharing passwords.
✅ 3. Train Your Team
Anyone with social media access should receive brief training on how to spot phishing, especially on mobile devices.
✅ 4. Regularly Audit Who Has Access
Remove old logins, ex-employee access, or outdated integrations.
✅ 5. Use a Central Password Manager
Secure access to all your business platforms in one place with logs and alerts.
What SofTouch Systems Can Do for You
We help small businesses, nonprofits, and public sector organizations in Texas:
- Assess social media access risks
- Set up secure access and MFA policies
- Provide staff phishing training
- Manage passwords with encrypted, shared vaults
- Monitor suspicious activity across your digital presence
If your organization relies on Instagram or Facebook to reach your audience, don’t wait for a hack to act.
Don’t Let a DM Take Down Your Brand
Phishing is getting more sophisticated, and your public-facing accounts are often the first place cybercriminals target. One employee mistake can snowball into a reputational crisis.
Stay vigilant, train your team, and secure your tools.
Need help reviewing your public accounts or access policies?
We’re here to help.
