The Cuban content creator, known as Flor de Cuba, recently shared her harrowing experience of falling victim to a scam that cost her over $4,000. In a cautionary message to other TikTok Shop users, she urged them to stay vigilant against similar schemes. "I'm making this video to alert all TikTok Shop creators about a scam I fell for two weeks ago, which resulted in more than $4,000 being stolen from my account," the Cuban influencer explained in a video that quickly gained traction.
Flor de Cuba recounted receiving an email that appeared to be from TikTok, informing her that her profile was eligible for the coveted blue verification badge. The email contained a link that, once clicked, prompted her to enter her platform password, granting scammers access to her account. "The email looked entirely professional. When I opened the link, it asked me to log in, and that's how my account got hacked instantly," she revealed. This breach coincided with her scheduled weekly payments, allowing the scammers to alter her payment method and siphon off $4,300 of her earnings.
Immediately after the incident, the creator reached out to TikTok via other accounts. The platform restored her account access in less than 24 hours, identifying that the unauthorized login originated from Turkey, not her usual device. Unfortunately, the lost funds were unrecoverable.
Flor de Cuba further disclosed receiving three additional fake emails with the same layout after the initial scam. She emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the sender's email address before clicking any links. "One way to know it's not TikTok contacting you is by checking the email domain. If it ends in @gmail.com, it's not official. TikTok uses its own domain: @tiktok.com," she warned.
In her concluding remarks, the influencer urged others to be cautious of potential scams and recommended checking notifications directly through the official app. "Be very careful. I lost $4,500, but thankfully, 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.
Understanding Social Media Scams and How to Avoid Them
How can I identify a phishing email on social media platforms?
Phishing emails often contain suspicious links or ask for personal information. Check the sender's email domain; official platforms use their own domains, not generic ones like @gmail.com.
What steps should I take if I suspect my account has been compromised?
Immediately change your password and contact the platform's support team using another account if necessary. Monitor your account for any unauthorized activity.
What precautions can I take to secure my social media account?
Enable two-factor authentication, use strong and unique passwords, and regularly review your account settings and activity logs for any unusual actions.