Facebook is the most popular social media app in the world, and scammers flock to it to fleece unsuspecting users. Here are some of the most common ways they try.
Phishing: Emails or direct messages with sketchy links that download malware or capture login credentials on spoofed websites.
Romance: Friend requests and direct messages that attempt to create a romantic interest with the goal to steal money from the victim
Prizes or job offers: Claims designed to obtain personal information or money from the victim
Shopping: Selling counterfeit goods under a faux brand account or selling nothing at all using fake accounts
Quizzes and games: Designed to ellicit personal information in the answers, then hacking accounts with it
Friend requests: Either from people you don't know or people you're already friends with (cloned accounts)
Charity pleas: Creating fake charities to get donations during times of disaster
Phishing scams
Scams involving fake emails have been around for years, and Facebook users are not immune from receiving them.
Phishing email will include a link and some wording that encourages you to follow the link to Facebook — except it isn't the real Facebook, just a spoofed website.
Sometimes the website will be that you have compromised accounts. Other times, it will ask you to validate your login information. One growing trend is to send you an email link to reset your Facebook account, claiming it has been disabled for security purposes.
Money being phishedWhatever the reason, the goal is always the same — to get you to provide confidential information to cybercriminals.
Unfortunately, if you fall for this common scam, cybercriminals have all the information they need to wreak havoc in your life. Depending on the information you provide, they can take over your Facebook account and con your friends, pretending to be you. They might also be able to access and drain your bank account or use your credit card to rack up fraudulent purchases.
This strategy isn't limited to actual emails, either. More and more often, cybercriminals are using Facebook Messenger to send the same kind of links.
Romance scams
One of the oldest scams involves fraudsters posing as love interests to target unsuspecting Facebook users. These faux romancers are people you've never heard of before. Scammers pretend they've gone through a traumatic breakup or use flattery to woo you. A romance scam is designed to play on your emotions and gain your trust.
This isn't a short-term effort. Chats build up over the course of weeks and months before the con-man makes their pitch. But it always ends the same way — they eventually ask you to send money. It's one of the most popular spots for catfishing online. A recent romance scam that's been making the rounds is the so-called "Mason" scam.
The scammer can use a variety of reasons to get your money. One of the most popular is for the "romantic interest" to purchase airline tickets and visas so they can come and meet you in person. Another popular tactic is to say they need help covering their daily living expenses until they can eventually join you.
In all cases, the affection is not real. If you fall for their pleas, you'll end up with an empty bank account and a romance that never was.
You've won! scams
Trophy with Question MarkThe excitement of winning a prize is hard to resist. The problem is that scammers know this and use that excitement against you. Sometimes they pose as celebrities, other times as big brands you trust. In all cases, the prize is irresistible. All you have to do to claim your prize is to send a small fee to cover shipping or other processing costs. In some cases, you don't even have to do more than scan a QR code.
The goal is to get you to divulge your personal information and bank or credit card information. Once you do, you never hear from the scammer again, and your only prize is identity theft or an empty bank account.
Bogus job scams
The allure of a high-paying job opportunity might be hard to resist, especially when it comes without having to do anything yourself. But before you say yes to any unexpected offer, understand this is a common technique used by cybercriminals to extract personally identifying information from you.
If you respond to an offer like this, you'll be asked to provide the typical information needed to start any job — your home address, your social security number, and perhaps even a copy of your driver's license or passport. Unfortunately, this is all a clever criminal needs to steal your identity. Instead of a job, you get a financial mess to clean up.
Shopping scams
Facebook has grown from a simple social network app to a robust e-commerce platform. Businesses of all sizes maintain a page and regularly promote their goods and services via sponsored posts. Unfortunately, cybercriminals capitalize on the popularity of Facebook shopping, too, particularly with scam ads.
Scammers create fake brand accounts to push counterfeit goods. Other times, they create unheard-of shop names with "too good to be true" offers, then push scam ads like the one below. These unknown sellers offer goods at ridiculously cheap prices but don't deliver anything at all. Instead, they take your money and disappear.
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