Discord Scams: 10 Common Scams to Beware Of

Michelle Wilson - February 2, 2023

Discord’s anonymity and ease of use make it a ripe target for scammers seeking to exploit vulnerable users. Scammers on Discord often use fake Nitro QR codes, phishing scams, and fake giveaways to trick users into handing over personal information or money.

However, with so much of the world interacting on Discord, avoiding the platform is unavoidable. Instead, users can only do their best to remain vigilant and to educate themselves on the common scams that exist on the platform.

How to Protect Yourself

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but with the right knowledge, you can protect yourself from falling victim to their schemes. Before leading into the types of scams you can expect, consider a few pieces of general advice.

Learn How to Spot a Scam

Regardless of the tactic a scammer uses, experts encourage Discord users to remain wary of unsolicited offers, especially ones that seem too good to be true. If unsure, users can check the URL of any links before clicking on them to ensure they’re legitimate, looking for spelling and grammar errors in any messaging or descriptions.

If something seems off, don’t be afraid to ask others for their opinions or do additional research.

Latest Discord Scams

With this advice in mind, let’s consider 10 of the most common scams you might run into when using Discord.

Misleading QR Codes for “Redemption”

With the growing popularity of Discord Nitro, more and more users are intrigued by the platform’s exclusive features and perks. However, many of these offers come with a hidden price, often leading to cryptocurrency or non-fungible token (NFT) theft.

Scammers on Discord use fake QR codes to steal personal information and spread malware. These codes often disguise themselves as phishing websites, illegitimate apps, or shady payment pages. If unsuspecting users engage with them, they risk having their Discord accounts taken over.

Therefore, to avoid falling victim to this scam, users should remember a legitimate offer of a free Nitro subscription will always come through official system messages on Discord, not from an unknown user. Additionally, be cautious if the message directs you to a look-alike login page that does not have “discord.com” in the URL. You can verify the authenticity of a QR code by using a QR code scanner with checksum algorithms or digital signatures, such as Microsoft Lens.

Steam-Discord Scams

A second common Discord Nitro scam involves Steam’s digital game distribution service. Scammers send messages to Discord users, claiming they can access new Nitro features by linking their Discord and Steam accounts. These unsolicited messages may also falsely state that Steam is giving away a few months of free Nitro.

However, when users click on the call to action in the message, they are presented with a pop-up ad from Steam. An error message prevents them from proceeding further upon entering their Steam credentials. But in reality, the scammers have acquired all the information they need to steal the user’s Steam account.

Phishing Scams

Next on the list is the classic Discord phishing scam. This scam uses false or misleading information to trick users into giving up their personal information or access to their Discord accounts.

Phishing scams are typically done through a fake login page or a “message from a trustworthy source,” asking the user to provide their login credentials. Once the scammers have access to the user’s account, they can use it to spread malicious links, steal personal information, or perform other harmful actions.

Fake Giveaway Scam

A fake giveaway scam on Discord is a type of scam that involves impersonating a legitimate organization or individual to trick users into participating in a supposed giveaway. In this scam, the scammer will create a fake Discord channel or post a fake message claiming to be holding a giveaway of valuable prizes, such as gift cards or in-game items.

Scammers will then ask users to provide personal information, such as their Discord username or email address, or to complete an action, such as downloading an app or clicking on a malicious link. In reality, the giveaway is fake, and the user will not receive any prizes. The purpose of the scam is to obtain personal information or to spread malware.

Premium Content Scams

A premium content scam on Discord is a scheme in which scammers offer access to premium content, such as games, music, or software, in exchange for payment or personal information. The scammers may advertise their offerings in private messages, direct messages, or within Discord servers. They may also create fake websites or social media accounts to promote their offerings.

In reality, the premium content offered by these scammers is either low-quality or a lie. In some cases, scammers may use the payment information they obtain from victims to perform identity theft or other harmful actions.

Fake Tech Support Scams

Scammers pretend to be tech support and ask users to give them remote access to their computers to “fix” a problem, but they install malware or steal personal information.

Crypto Scams

A crypto scam on Discord refers to a fraudulent scheme that involves the use of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Scammers on Discord may advertise fake cryptocurrency investments or offer high-return opportunities for investing in a specific cryptocurrency. They may also pretend to be representatives of legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges or wallet providers and trick users into sending their cryptocurrency to a fake or compromised wallet.

In reality, these investments do not exist, and users may lose their entire investment. The scammers may also use the personal information they obtain from the victims to perform identity theft or other harmful actions.

Fake Game Hacks

Fake game hacks on Discord refer to scams where scammers advertise or distribute fake hacks or cheats for popular video games. These hacks may claim to offer in-game benefits, such as unlimited resources, invincibility, or other advantages. The scammers often use Discord to distribute these fake hacks and trick users into downloading malware or giving up their personal information.

In reality, these hacks do not work and are simply ways for scammers to steal personal information, compromise users’ devices, or spread malware.

Work-From-Home Scams

Work-from-home scams on Discord involve false advertisements or fake job offers that trick people into participating in fraudulent schemes. The scammers often pose as legitimate companies or recruiters and offer attractive work-from-home opportunities, such as data entry jobs or online surveys, in exchange for a fee or personal information.

Unfortunately, these work-from-home opportunities are non-existent or offer very little compensation. The scammers may use the personal information they obtain to perform identity theft or other harmful actions.

Charity Scams

Charity scams on Discord refer to fraudulent schemes in which scammers pose as legitimate charities and solicit donations. The scammers may advertise fake fundraising campaigns for disaster relief, medical emergencies, or other worthy causes. They may also trick users into donating by impersonating well-known charities or creating fake charity websites.

The funds collected by these scammers do not go to the intended cause; instead, these fraudulent parties use the money for personal gain.

Staying on Guard

By following the above tips and learning about the different types of scams, you can likely protect yourself from falling victim to a Discord scam.