Twitch Scams: Phishing Emails with Fake Gaming Codes Help Scammers Steal Identities

In the quest to be the best player in a video game, video game users on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch end up encountering more than their fair share of scams and hacks. Want to know if you or the Twitch user in your life are at risk of scams? Join us for the most common Twitch scams to look out for and find out why the next Twitch connection you make could actually be someone trying to steal your money!

What is Twitch?

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Twitch is a live streaming platform for gamers and other content. Users can chat with millions of video game fans, worldwide. Gamers watch other gamers play live games, such as Fortnite, and comment, interact with other users, or even live stream their own gaming to the world! Teens and kids frequently use the platform, which can put them at additional risk of encountering adults who impersonate minors or inappropriate content. Twitch can be accessed by phone, website, app, or gaming consoles such as an Xbox or Playstation.

What are Twitch Scams?

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These are common Twitch scams to look out for:

 Fake Giveaway Scams

Do you see a great giveaway and feel tempted to enter? For this scam, you might see a great offer to receive a new gaming system … as long as you visit an outside website or give away your personal information.

Scam Warning: These giveaways are usually from hackers wanting your information or for you to download malware when you visit their phishing website. Other times, by entering the information you are opening yourself up to spam emails or identity theft!

How to Protect Yourself: If you believe that your information was compromised, change your email password, run a virus scan, and report and/or block the user on Twitch. In extreme cases, ask or a credit freeze to protect against identity theft!

Beautiful People Scams

That user with a great looking profile picture might be a scammer, premium girl, or catfish! Tricksters of this type use photos they’ve taken from the web to impersonate someone else and convince you into giving them money or personal/financial information. Other catfish run a “fake person scam” for emotional reasons, as they have low self-esteem.

Scam Warning: If another gamer is pushing to get your personal information or asking for a loan, CashApp account, or gift card, beware. Block them and report them to Twitch!

How to Protect Yourself: Perform an image search on other users with their profile pictures at Social Catfish and verify their identity … or, if the images were stolen from the web.

Cards, Coins, Money, Advice

Try and remember that ever hackers, scammers, catfish, and tricksters need an “in”. As the classic line suggests, “If it seems too good to be true it probably is!” Question the benevolence of other gamers and never accept any gifts, money, or coins direct mail, email, or other methods.

Scam Warning: The free item you download from a scammer might actually contain malware that will invade your computer and steal your personal information!

How to Protect Yourself: Teach your children, friends, and family members to beware of free gaming offers and check the site URL they are using. This site is especially easy for kids to fall for … and end up risking your entire family’s information.

Affiliate from Twitch Scams

If another Twitch user claims to be from the official platform as an employee, don’t fall for it.

Scam Warning: They might request your password or login details and then hack and steal from your gaming account.

How to Protect Yourself: Verify any concerns or questions you have at Twitch Support!

Fake Emails

Emails that seem to be from the Twitch site might actually be from scammers! 

Scam Warning: Phishing emails look legitimate and may use a stolen Twitch logo. These emails will link you to fake copycat sites created to steal your information.

How to Protect Yourself: Check the actual “Reply-to” email from a sender and look at the hyperlinked URLs behind the “clickable” words in the email. If the links seem suspicious, then they are probably fake websites. 

Another important safety warning about Twitch is for parents. Encourage the children in your family to come to you with any safety concerns. Regularly ask them about their experience(s) using Twitch remind them not to give out personal information to other users (full name, school, etc.) to fellow users, even if they believe they are their age. They should also block anyone who makes them uncomfortable.

The importance of protecting yourself, your home network, and your personal and financial information is crucial to protect your credit, ability to buy a home or vehicle, and even the integrity of your account.

Social Catfish is Here to Help You Avoid Twitch Scams!

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Social Catfish was created as a simpler way to search and get the answers you need, quickly. Reverse search by name, username, phone number, email address, or photograph! When you need to know if you’ve encountered a scammer, Social Catfish can guide the way … so you can get back to gaming!