It is clear that organizations see the benefits of using social media. Social media can easily create brand exposure and can even have a positive effect on ROI (return on investment). However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as there are also potential dangers associated with social media. To ensure that you are aware of what to look out for, we’ve put together a list of some of the dangers for your organization.

Cyber criminals

Fake profiles on social media are very easy to create, making it easy for cyber criminals to impersonate a brand and reach out to customers of that brand.

There are some ways to minimize the risk of such practices. First and foremost, as a company, you should monitor social media to detect any misuse in a timely manner. Additionally, you can register your brand name. Some platforms also allow you to mark your page with a ‘verified’ label. You can also refer to your various social media channels via your corporate website to prevent confusion.

Scammers

Scammers can target the core of an organization via social media, sometimes without the organization even having the opportunity to identify the scam. This can involve brand imitation or fake accounts, but counterfeit goods are also sold via social media. It doesn’t stop there – scammers also take advantage of the fact that companies offer coupons and vouchers via social media.

Fake coupons can encourage customers to call a certain number, where they are asked to share their bank details. Others may come to the store with high expectations, only to find out that the coupon is fake. Will these customers ever trust the brand again?

Even if you have little chance of identifying the scam in advance, you must be ready to intervene when the scam is detected. When the scam expands, you as a company must warn other customers in the region and negotiate compensation for victims. In addition, the scam must be continually monitored, so that efforts can be made to reduce it.

Internal dangers

As an employer, you don’t always have control over what your employees post on social media. There is a risk that confidential information may be leaked (accidentally), which can seriously damage your company’s reputation.

Employees take on the role of ambassadors for your organization on social media, so they should be aware of what information can and cannot be shared. All of this can be included in a transparent social media policy.

Spam

Spam via social media can have a significant impact on your brand’s reputation. It can cause your followers to lose trust in your company. In addition, not only the recipient but also all of their friends can see the spam message. So, spam is a danger that you as a company need to consider, especially if you engage in social media marketing.

There are various types of spam, such as social bots, link-jacking, spam applications, and so on. Not all spam is recognized by spam filters. Therefore, it is important for companies to monitor their social media accounts to prevent spam.