TL;DR: Angler phishing is when scammers impersonate a company's customer support on social media to intercept and exploit customers reaching out for help. Only trust verified/official accounts, never share account or payment details over social media DMs, and go directly to the company's official app or website for support.
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Angler phishing is when scammers impersonate a company's customer support on social media to intercept and exploit customers reaching out for help.
How Angler Phishing Works
A scammer creates a fake account that looks like a company's official support handle, then monitors social media for people complaining or asking that company for help, and reaches out first with a link or request for account details before the real company can respond.
Warning Signs to Watch For
A support account with a slightly altered handle or few followers, a DM asking for personal or account information, and a link to a site that doesn't match the company's real domain.
How to Protect Yourself
Only trust verified/official accounts, never share account or payment details over social media DMs, and go directly to the company's official app or website for support.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading What Is Brushing Scams? How It Works and How to Protect Yourself.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see What Is Business Email Compromise? How It Works and How to Protect Yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Angler Phishing?
Angler phishing is when scammers impersonate a company's customer support on social media to intercept and exploit customers reaching out for help.
How does Angler Phishing typically work?
A scammer creates a fake account that looks like a company's official support handle, then monitors social media for people complaining or asking that company for help, and reaches out first with a link or request for account details before the real company can respond.
What are the warning signs of Angler Phishing?
A support account with a slightly altered handle or few followers, a DM asking for personal or account information, and a link to a site that doesn't match the company's real domain.
How can I protect myself from Angler Phishing?
Only trust verified/official accounts, never share account or payment details over social media DMs, and go directly to the company's official app or website for support.
What should I do if I think I’ve encountered Angler Phishing?
Stop responding immediately, do not click any links or share information, and report it to the appropriate authority. If money or personal information was already shared, act quickly to secure your accounts and report the incident.