The Cuban content creator known as Flor de Cuba reported being a victim of a scam that cost her over $4,000, and issued a warning to other TikTok Shop users to avoid falling for similar frauds.
"I want to make this video to alert all TikTok Shop creators about a scam I fell victim to two weeks ago, which resulted in over $4,000 being stolen from my account," explained the Cuban influencer in a video that quickly went viral.
Flor de Cuba reported that they received an apparently official email from TikTok notifying them that their profile had been approved for a blue verification badge. The message included a link that, when clicked, prompted them to enter their platform password, allowing the scammers to access their account.
"The email seemed completely professional. When I clicked on the link, it prompted me to log in, and that’s when they automatically hacked my account," he recounted. According to his testimony, the attack coincided with the day he was supposed to receive his weekly payments, which is when the scammers changed his payment method and took 4,300 dollars from his earnings.
The creator explained that she immediately contacted the platform through other accounts and that TikTok managed to restore control of her profile in less than 24 hours, after verifying that the access did not come from her usual device, but from Turkey. However, the lost money could not be recovered.
Flor de Cuba also warned that after the incident, it received three new fake emails in the same format, and urged other creators to always check the sender's address before opening any link. "One way to know that it’s not TikTok contacting you is to check the email. If it ends in @gmail.com, it’s not official. TikTok uses its own domain: @tiktok.com," she cautioned.
In her final message, the influencer urged everyone to be vigilant against possible scams and recommended accessing notifications directly from the official app. “Be very careful. I was robbed of $4,500, but thank God I was able to recover my account. All my hard work felt wasted that day. I hope no one else has to go through this,” she concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Media Scams and Online Security
How was Flor de Cuba scammed on TikTok Shop?
Flor de Cuba was a victim of a scam after receiving a fake email from TikTok that appeared to be official and requested them to enter their password. By doing so, the scammers accessed their account, changed their payment method, and misappropriated $4,300 from their earnings.
What recommendations did Flor de Cuba give to avoid scams on TikTok?
Flor de Cuba recommended always checking the sender's address before opening any link. If the email ends in @gmail.com, it is not official. TikTok uses its own domain: @tiktok.com. In addition, it advised accessing notifications directly from the official TikTok app.
Why is it important to verify the authenticity of emails from platforms like TikTok?
Checking the authenticity of emails is crucial to avoid falling for scams that can result in the loss of access to personal accounts and the theft of money. Scammers often send emails that mimic the official format of platforms to deceive users.
What other types of scams have been reported by Cubans on social media?
Multiple digital scams have been reported involving fake checks, identity theft on WhatsApp, and fraudulent messages about unpaid tolls. Scammers use deception and emotional manipulation tactics to steal money or personal information.
Filed under:
