# Fraud When Buying Followers: How to Recognise a Risky Seller

URL: https://socialboostexpert.com/blog/fraud-when-buying-followers
Updated: 2026-10-31

> Checklist Before Buying Followers: a provider with a company registration number (IČ), terms and conditions, no password requested, payment method, and where to turn in case of fraud (Česká obchodní inspekce, Policie ČR).

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## How to Avoid Being Scammed When Buying Followers: Warning Signs and a Checklist
How to recognise a suspicious seller of followers, likes and views, what rights you have when buying online, and what to do if nothing arrives after payment.
The Social Boost editorial team · Published October 31, 2026 · Last reviewed October 31, 2026 · 8 min read
### In short
- A trustworthy seller lists a provider with a company registration number (IČ), registered office and contact details on its website, and these details can be verified in the public register.
- Never enter your account password or two-factor authentication codes when ordering followers, likes or views.
- Promises of guaranteed results, claims about people from the Czech Republic who will respond, or claims of zero risk are warning signs, because platform rules prohibit buying interactions.
- When you purchase a service online, you generally have 14 days to withdraw from the contract; the exception is a service that has been fully provided with your express consent.
- If a dispute arises, first contact the seller. You can then file a complaint with the Česká obchodní inspekce or use alternative dispute resolution, and in case of fraud file a criminal complaint.
A fraudulent or risky seller of followers will most often reveal itself in four ways: there is no identified provider with an IČ, there are no terms and conditions describing the complaints procedure, it asks you for a password or verification code, and it promises results that no one can guarantee. Before you pay, go through the checklist below and find out where to turn if something goes wrong.
### Why does fraud appear around buying followers?
Because buying interactions violates social media rules, some buyers may be reluctant to report the problem. Websites that take payment and deliver nothing, or that mainly want access to your account, may take advantage of this.
It is worth knowing that platform rules do not permit paid interactions. Meta's Community Standards, which apply to Facebook and Instagram, prohibit attempts to sell, buy or exchange interactions such as likes, shares, views, follows or clicks ( Meta's spam policies
, as of October 2026). TikTok's Community Guidelines prohibit trading in services that artificially inflate engagement or deceive the recommendation system ( TikTok's rules on integrity and authenticity
, as of October 2026). Therefore, reach or account restrictions cannot be ruled out for any seller.
An honest seller does not conceal this risk. If someone tells you otherwise, that is the first warning sign.
### How to check who stands behind a website selling followers?
A trustworthy website states the operator's name, IČ, registered office and contact details, and these details can be found in a public register. If you cannot find the operator, you will have no one to turn to in case of a dispute.
The Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) publishes a list of websites it considers risky, mainly due to non-compliance with legal obligations and difficult enforcement of consumer rights. A typical reason for inclusion is that the website lacks the seller's contact details or the details are not credible ( ČOI's list of risky e-shops
). ČOI also warns that a shop not being on the list does not in itself mean that the purchase is safe.
- Find the footer or the page about the operator on the website and note down the company name and IČ.
- Verify the IČ in the Commercial Register (justice.cz) or in the ARES register and compare the name and registered office.
- Check that the website has a working e-mail address or other contact, not just a chat without the company name.
- Search for the domain or the operator's name in ČOI's list of risky e-shops.
- If the operator is based outside the EU or the details do not match, expect that any complaint will be difficult to resolve.
You can find more information about this website on the page about us
.
### What must the terms and conditions and complaints procedure contain?
The terms and conditions should tell you before payment exactly what you are buying, how and when you can make a complaint, how withdrawal from the contract works and what risks the service carries. If the terms are missing or are just generic text without the company name, that is a warning sign.
When reading the terms, focus mainly on the following points:
- Identification of the operator – the same details as in the website footer.
- Complaints – where to send it, within what time limit, and what happens if the service is not delivered.
- Withdrawal from the contract – whether, and under what conditions, you lose this option.
- Risks – whether the terms openly state that platforms do not permit the purchase of engagement.
An example is Art. 3.3 terms and conditions
of this website, which explicitly states that platforms do not permit the purchase of interactions and that restrictions on your account cannot be ruled out. Terms that do not mention such a risk at all deserve increased caution.
#### What rights do you have when purchasing a service online?
For online purchases in the EU, you generally have 14 days to withdraw from the contract without giving a reason, and for services this period runs from the conclusion of the contract. However, the right of withdrawal does not apply if the service has been fully provided and you have expressly consented to losing this right. If the trader did not inform you about the withdrawal conditions, the period is extended ( withdrawal from the contract on the Your Europe portal
, status as of October 2026).
This is general information, not legal advice. Check your specific situation with the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) or with a lawyer.
### Why never enter a password or verification code?
A public link to the profile or post is enough for delivering followers, likes or views; no password is needed for this. Anyone who asks for a password, a two-factor authentication code or a login via their own app gains control of your account and may misuse, block or sell it.
Two-factor authentication is an account protection where, in addition to the password, a one-time code is entered, for example from an SMS or an authenticator app. Do not share this code with anyone, including someone posing as social network support.
- Do not enter your login details into a form on the seller's website.
- Do not log in to a social network via a third-party app recommended by the seller.
- If you have already entered your details somewhere, change your password immediately, enable two-factor authentication and check the logged-in devices in your account settings.
When ordering on this website, the account password is not entered, as described on the page how it works
.
### Which promises and payments should warn you?
The most reliable warning sign is a promise that no one can keep. Because platform rules prohibit purchased interactions and reach is determined by an algorithm, no seller can honestly promise a certain result, zero risk or specific audience reactions.
Warning sign Why it is a problem What to verify
A promise of a certain result or a claim that your account is not at risk Meta's and TikTok's rules prohibit paid interactions, so the risk cannot be ruled out Whether the terms and conditions openly state the risk
A claim that followers are people from the Czech Republic who will comment and buy Purchased interactions guarantee neither audience interest nor sales What the terms and conditions say exactly about the service
A promise that the package will help meet monetization or verification requirements Monetization and verification conditions are set only by the platform; the seller cannot promise that they will be met Current conditions directly in the platform's help section
Company ID (IČ), registered office or contact details are missing In case of a dispute, you have no one to contact Commercial Register, ARES, ČOI list
Request for a password or code Risk of account takeover Do not complete your order
Payment only by bank transfer to a private account or in cryptocurrencies Money is difficult to recover Whether the website offers a standard payment method with a receipt
Reviews without details and without information on how they are verified They may be fabricated Whether the website states how it verifies reviews
Regarding the last point: since the amendment to the Consumer Protection Act of 2023, a seller who publishes reviews must state how it ensures that they come from consumers who actually used or purchased the service ( overview of the amendment on the ČOI website
).
For payments, it makes sense to choose a method that provides a receipt and for which your bank offers a payment dispute process. Before paying, also save a screenshot of the order and the terms and conditions.
### Where should you turn if you have been defrauded?
First contact the seller in writing, then you can turn to the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI), and if it is fraud, file a criminal complaint with the Police of the Czech Republic. In the meantime, keep all documents.
- Collect evidence – order confirmation, proof of payment, e-mails, screenshots of the website and terms and conditions.
- Demand from the seller – request in writing the delivery of the service or a refund and set a reasonable deadline.
- Contact your bank – ask whether the payment can be disputed, and if you entered your card details on a suspicious website, have the card blocked.
- File a complaint with ČOI – for example by e-mail to podatelna@coi.gov.cz, as stated on the page about risky e-shops.
- Consider out-of-court dispute resolution – ČOI mediates amicable settlements of disputes arising from service contracts. You must first try to resolve the dispute directly with the trader, and submit the proposal no later than one year from the moment you first asserted your claim with them. ČOI does not decide the dispute in a binding manner; it is an agreement between the parties ( information on ADR on the ČOI website
).
- File a criminal complaint – in person at any police department, in writing by registered mail, electronically by e-mail with a recognised electronic signature or via data box, or at the state prosecutor's office ( how to file a criminal complaint according to the Police of the Czech Republic
).
If someone has taken over your social media account, at the same time follow the platform's help instructions for recovering the compromised account.
### When paid promotion makes sense and when it does not?
A package of followers or likes can help as initial social proof for a new profile that already has good content, or as support for a specific campaign alongside your own work on posts. However, it does not replace content, does not guarantee audience interest, reach or sales, is not a way to meet monetization or verification requirements (check these in the platform's help), and may worsen the ratio of interactions to followers. It makes no sense if the profile has no content, if the account already has a warning or restrictions, or if you are expecting audience reactions and orders.
If you decide to purchase, choose a seller who passes the checklist above. On sledujici.eu you will find a description of the service, for example on the page followers on Instagram
and current prices in price list
; answers to further questions can be found in the frequently asked questions
.
### Frequently asked questions
#### Can a seller of followers ask me for my Instagram or TikTok password?
They should not. Delivering followers, likes or views only requires a public link to your profile or post. Anyone who asks for your password, a one-time SMS code or login through your app is gaining control of your account. Do not complete such an order, and if you have already entered your details, change your password immediately and check the logged-in devices in your account settings.
#### Do I have the right to withdraw from a followers order within 14 days?
For services ordered online, the EU generally provides a 14-day period to withdraw without giving a reason, running from the conclusion of the contract. However, this right expires if the service has been provided in full and you have expressly agreed to lose this right. Therefore, read the terms and conditions before paying. This is not legal advice; check your specific case with the Česká obchodní inspekce or a lawyer.
#### What should I do if nothing arrived after I paid for a package and the seller does not respond?
Keep the order confirmation, proof of payment and all communication. Send the seller a written request to deliver or refund your money. If they do not respond, file a complaint with the Česká obchodní inspekce, contact your bank about a possible payment chargeback, and if you suspect fraud, file a criminal complaint at any Policie ČR department.
#### How can I find out whether a followers e-shop is risky?
The Česká obchodní inspekce publishes a list of risky websites, for example due to missing contact details of the provider. However, the ČOI warns that if a shop is not on the list, this does not in itself mean that the purchase is safe. Therefore, additionally verify the provider's IČ in the public register and read the terms and conditions.
#### Are positive reviews on a seller's website a guarantee of trustworthiness?
Not in themselves. Under the amendment to the Consumer Protection Act effective from 2023, a seller that publishes reviews must state how it ensures they come from people who actually used or purchased the service. If this information is missing and the reviews seem uniform and lack detail, treat them with caution.
### Want to give your profile a head start?
Choose a package for your platform. We never ask for your password, the order takes two minutes and delivery starts after payment.
See packages and prices
Not sure which package fits? Write to us on WhatsApp or by e-mail and we will recommend one. WhatsApp
· info@socialboostexpert.com
### Sources
- Rizikové e-shopy – Česká obchodní inspekce
(checked October 31, 2026)
- Informace o ADR (mimosoudní řešení spotřebitelských sporů) – Česká obchodní inspekce
(checked October 31, 2026)
- Novela zákona o ochraně spotřebitele – Česká obchodní inspekce
(checked October 31, 2026)
- Trestní oznámení – Policie České republiky
(checked October 31, 2026)
- Odstoupení od smlouvy – Vaše Evropa, Evropská komise
(checked October 31, 2026)
- Spam – Community Standards, Meta Transparency Center
(checked October 31, 2026)
- Integrity and Authenticity – TikTok Community Guidelines
(checked October 31, 2026)
Prepared by our editorial team with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Platform rules change: always check the current wording at the source. This article was translated with AI assistance. The sources are in their original language.
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