Is the Reddit Mod Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a phishing scam that impersonates Reddit.

What should I do if I received the Reddit Mod Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Reddit Mod Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Reddit Mod Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Reddit Mod Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Phishing Impersonates: Reddit

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers send private messages on Reddit impersonating moderators or Reddit admins, claiming you violated community rules and need to verify your account or face a ban. The verification link is a phishing page that steals your Reddit credentials.

How This Scam Works

You receive a private message from an account with a name similar to a subreddit moderator or Reddit admin, such as 'Reddit_Admin_Support' or 'Mod_Team_Official.' The message says your account has been flagged for violations and you must verify your identity through a link within 24 hours to avoid a permanent ban. The link leads to a fake Reddit login page. After entering your credentials, the scammer takes over your account and may use it for further scams, spam, or selling the account.

Red Flags to Watch For

DM from an account pretending to be a moderator or admin
Threat of ban unless you click a link
Real mods communicate through modmail, not private messages
Link URL is not reddit.com
Username is a slight variation of a real mod's name

Example Scam Messages

DM: 'NOTICE: Your Reddit account has been flagged for multiple community guideline violations. You must verify your identity within 24 hours or your account will be permanently suspended. Verify here: reddit-account-verify.com/check' --- DM: 'Hi, I'm a moderator of r/[subreddit]. Your recent post has been reported and we need you to confirm your account is not a bot. Please complete verification: reddit-mod-verify.info/confirm'

What to Do If You Received This

Reddit admins communicate through u/reddit or official channels, not random DMs
Real moderators use modmail, not private messages
Do not click any verification links in DMs
Check the sender's account age and history
Report the message as spam

What to Do If You Fell For It

Change your Reddit password immediately
Enable two-factor authentication
Check your account for unauthorized posts or messages
Revoke access to third-party apps in Reddit settings
Report the compromise at reddit.com/report

How to Report This Scam

Report the message through Reddit's report feature
Report to Reddit admins at reddit.com/report
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov

Last updated: February 10, 2026