If you\u2019ve ever come across a Facebook post that seemed odd or really out of place, you\u2019ve likely seen a Facebook scam. Yes, there are nearly 3 billion posts a day on Facebook, but fraudsters do find a way to swindle unsuspecting people out of their time, personal information, and money. We have some tips to help you spot and avoid these scams from our partners at BALANCE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated all the time. They know that their victims aren\u2019t very likely to respond to correspondence from a suspicious or unknown source. But with profile cloning, a fraudster creates a look-a-like Facebook profile for someone you know and starts sending messages to his or her friends (i.e., you). Typically, the scam will be a bogus offer, promising easy money in exchange for personal info.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To avoid this scam, simply connect with your real-life friend by phone or text to ensure it is or is not them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be careful of messages saying you were mentioned in a comment by a friend. If they require you to click a link to see the comment, avoid it! This is a classic phishing scam. Once you click the link, you will automatically download a Trojan horse that infects your browser and steals your Facebook login credentials. Once the hackers invade your computer, they can change your profile settings, take your personal info, and spread more nasty links to your Facebook friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To avoid this scam, do not click on or reply to messages from anyone until you know they are legit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many businesses now offer customer support through social media. Never missing an opportunity to swindle people, scammers have started targeting this trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To spot a real page from a fake one, visit the company\u2019s official website and click their Facebook icon. If you\u2019re directed to a secure page, you\u2019re safe. However, if you\u2019re still unsure, just call or email the company instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Facebook and other social media is sharing things about yourself with friends. However, sharing too much can spell disaster. The share-too-much scam might seem innocent at first, but those quick quizzes about your past, including places you\u2019ve visited, things you\u2019ve done etc. can give criminals enough information to crack your personal passwords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To avoid this scam, don\u2019t share details about your past, family names, personal preferences for food or travel, etc. In fact, be careful of anything you share on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n