Facebook is one of the most popular social media sites on the planet, with billions of people logging in each month to connect with family and friends. Unfortunately, this popularity has provided scammers with a grand opportunity to reach victims far away from their physical location. A report from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission states that social media scams cost victims hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Knowing how to recognize the top Facebook scams and how protect your identity from scammers will prevent you from becoming another victim.
Facebook Phishing Scams
One of the top Facebook scams making the rounds today is the phishing scam. With this type of scam, the scammer sends an email asking you to go to Facebook and includes a link to a fraudulent site. In some cases, the fake site asks you to enter your login credentials so the scammer can steal them. In other cases, malware is downloaded to your device so the scammer can steal your personal and financial information. To avoid this type of scam, always go to Facebook from their official link or from their official app.
Facebook Shopping Scams
Facebook is used to connect people of all types, including sellers and buyers. Some scammers have found a way to insert themselves into these transactions. The most common ways are to pose as a seller and selling fraudulent or non-existent products or posing as a buyer and not paying for products or services obtained. If you want to buy or sell items on Facebook, consider using Facebook Marketplace services where you will have some protection against fraudulent transactions.
Facebook Job Scams
Another of the top Facebook scams to look out for is the job scam. With these scams, the scammer posts a fake job listing in the hopes of enticing you to inquire about the job. Once they have you hooked, they can steal your personal information and even get you to pay bogus fees before you are “employed.” While online job offers can be tempting, make sure that the organization and the job is legitimate before providing any of your personal information.
Facebook Charity Scams
It is easy to set up a charity profile on Facebook and many scammers have been using tragedies to take advantage of those who want to help. If you are unsure if an organization is a legitimate one, search for them on Google and donate to their official website or GoFundMe profile.
Protecting Yourself From the Top Facebook Scams
- Use two-factor authentication to reduce the chances of your Facebook account being hacked.
- Don’t ignore login alerts from times when you weren’t logged in.
- Don’t accept friend requests from strangers.
- Only open messages from people you know and avoid clicking suspicious message links.
- Don’t send money based on a Facebook request.
- Look for duplicate profiles using your name or images and report them to Facebook Support.
To stay safe while using Facebook, you must remain vigilant. Still have questions about the different types of scams out there? Check out the articles below for more information.
How To Use the Fraud Triangle To Avoid Scams
4 Hilarious Scams That People Still Fall For
How to Get Your Money Back From a Scam
Toi Williams began her writing career in 2003 as a copywriter and editor and has authored hundreds of articles on numerous topics for a wide variety of companies. During her professional experience in the fields of Finance, Real Estate, and Law, she has obtained a broad understanding of these industries and brings this knowledge to her work as a writer.
