Instagram Influencer Scam 2023: Brands To Look Out For

Have you received a DM on Instagram from a brand that wants you to influence for them? Are you wondering if it is real or fake? You’re not alone! Lots of people have been receiving messages on Instagram from brands who want to work with them. But sadly, these brands and their offers turn out not to be genuine.

In this article, I’ve exposed a handful of fraudulent Instagram brands, how they work, and what you should look out for.

If you’ve been contacted by a brand for an Instagram collab you might be considering giving the online store a try. What harm could there be? Who doesn’t like free products? Well, sorry to kill your joy, Influencer Scam is one of the fast rising internet scams.

Yolegga Instagram Collab

Yolegga located at Yoleggafits.com is the brand name of an online fashion store that is quite popular on Instagram. It sells yoga pants, leggings, sports bra, e.tc. Sadly, aside the glitz and glamour, something fishy is happening.

This fashion store contacts lots of small Instagram influencers, offering to make them their brand ambassador. These ambassadors are given a 50% discount code for whatever they buy from the website. Sadly, there’s more to what meets the eyes. First of all, the discount never happens. You’ll have to pay for whatever you buy. There’s no  dashboard or codes available.

Cocoburry Brand Ambassador Offer

Cocoburry located at Cocoburry.com also sells hoodies, crewnecks, joggers, tees, etc. However, just like Yolegga, the brand contacts people on Instagram, offering $75 for a pic and tag. The influencer is required to buy their own hoodie. However, the hoodies are not worth the price they’re being sold. In fact, you can get it for a far lesser price elsewhere. For example, its $80 Made in Bangladesh hoodie is a rip-off. Meanwhile, the company fails to fulfil their end of the contract – they don’t pay influencers the $75 they promise for a pic and tag.

Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Brand Influencer on Instagram

No Benefits

The thought of being an ambassador for a brand might look enticing, but in some case there’s a caveat. First of all, the discount never happens. You’ll have to pay for whatever you buy. There’s no  dashboard or codes available. Meanwhile, even with the general discount on the website, the clothes are the same price or cheaper elsewhere. So you see, the ambassador offer is just an emotional trick.

Poor Quality

One of the complaints by customers is poor quality of items received. According to customers, the clothes are not worth the price they’re being sold. In fact, you can get it for a far lesser price elsewhere. See what an influencer has to say –

Dropship company that uses cheap chinese clothes, sold for a ridiculous high price. Promises about collaboration, never happens. No dashboard or codes provided. SCAMMERS!

No Customer Support

 Though these brands have a social media presence, they often don’t have a phone number to call. Meanwhile, in most cases there is no mention of where they are located or even a phone number anywhere on the website. As a shopping website the whole website seems legit, except for the lack of a factory/store address

10 Easy Ways To Spot a Scam Brand Ambassador Collaboration

1. Requests for you to purchase their product first for reimbursement later.
2. Requires you to purchase at a discount.
3. You have to cover the shipping fees and expenses.
4. Asking you to create content for their use on their Instagram/website, using their product but they don’t pay you or give you the product. In return, they will help promote your social media accounts (i.e. will credit you)
5. Brands requesting a collaboration by commenting in your comments on Instagram, or your blog. They’re using a shotgun approach hoping you’ll bite.
6. Using language that isn’t professional (i.e., sweetie, darling, honey… you get the picture).
7. Spelling and grammar errors! This is one of the biggest indicators this is not a professional request.
8. A brand collaboration scam will always have caveats in the email or message that makes extra work for you, without really compensating you for it.
9. Offering you a special affiliate commission with a “discount” for your followers (there are affiliate programs galore that you can sign-up to).
10. It’s from a sketchy company that when you Google it, seems to be doing some questionable work or has poor reviews.

Conclusion

These brands are not a scam perse, however they are not totally honest with their ambassador collaboration offer. The company fails to fulfil their end of the contract – they don’t give the influencers the discount they promise