Facebook Fraudsters: How to Outsmart Scammers and Protect Your Profile
Article reviewed and updated for 2024Scams are unfortunately very common on Facebook. With over 2 billion monthly active users, Facebook is a prime target for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting people. Knowing how to spot potential scams can go a long way in protecting yourself and your information on the platform. This article will identify some of the most prevalent scams found on Facebook and provide tips on how to avoid falling victim. We'll also cover what to do if you think you've been scammed. Being aware of the tactics scammers use and acting cautiously when interacting with strangers or questionable content can help keep your Facebook experience safe and positive. With vigilance and smart practices, you can enjoy connecting through Facebook without putting your identity, data, or money at risk. Friend Request Scams
One of the most common scams on Facebook is the friend request scam. Scammers will create fake profiles and send you friend requests in an attempt to steal your personal information or spread malware. The goal of these fake friend requests is to get you to accept the request so the scammer can message you or access your profile and posts. Once connected as "friends," the scammer may attempt to steal your login credentials, hack your account, or trick you into downloading malware. To avoid friend request scams: Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know. If you don't recognize the name or photo, delete the request.
Check that new friend requests have real activity on their profile. Scammer accounts often have no posts or friends in common.
Be wary of generic messages like "Hey, I'd love to connect!" Scammers often use copy/pasted messages.
Don't download files or click unusual links in messages from strangers. This could be an attempt to infect your device.
Review your friend list occasionally and remove any unknown accounts.
By being cautious about friend requests, you can help protect your account from being compromised. If in doubt, simply delete or ignore the request. “Like” Farming Scams
Scammers often create fake Facebook pages and post shocking or emotional content in order to bait users into liking, sharing, or commenting. The scammers' goal is to make the page seem legitimate by gaining a large number of interactions. Once a fake page accumulates enough likes and comments, the scammer will often sell the page to the highest bidder. The buyer can then change the name and content of the page to promote their own agenda. You should be wary of any page posts that seem specifically designed to provoke strong reactions or go viral. For example, don't immediately like or share sensational headlines that play on emotions like fear or outrage. Take a closer look first to verify that the page seems trustworthy. Use caution when interacting with Facebook pages you're unfamiliar with, especially if the content seems intended to shock or enrage people. The goal may be to exploit users' emotional reactions in order to grow a fake page's audience for financial gain. Fake News Scams
Scammers will often post fake news stories, especially political ones, in order to spread misinformation and profit from the clicks the posts generate. The stories are designed to be outrageous or provocative in order to get people to click and share without checking if the source is trustworthy. Some things to watch out for with fake news on Facebook include: Sensationalist headlines that trigger strong emotional reactions like outrage or shock. This is a red flag for fake news designed just to get clicks.
Stories from unfamiliar sites or sites that end in ".com.co" which mimic real news sites. Always Google the site name to check if it's legit.
Stories with spelling or grammatical errors, or sloppy formatting. Real news outlets have editors to prevent this.
Stories with no author name or published date. Legitimate sources want accountability for their content.
The best way to avoid falling for fake news is to pause before reacting and carefully check the source and claims before believing or sharing any article. Go beyond just the headline and read the full story. Fact-check questionable claims through other sources like Snopes.com or PolitiFact.com. Be especially wary of content designed to provoke outrage or emotion rather than to inform. Account Hacking Scams
Watch out for phishing attempts aimed at stealing your Facebook login credentials. Scammers may send you fake login pages via email or messages that look like they're from Facebook, trying to trick you into entering your username and password. If successful, scammers can access your account and post content while impersonating you to your friends and family. Never give your password to anyone or login through third-party sites. Be wary of any unexpected login approval notifications, as scammers try to enable this access so they can log in from other devices. Go directly through Facebook.com or the official app for any logins. If you suspect your account has been hacked, change your password immediately and alert Facebook. Sales Scams
Scammers are increasingly using Facebook to post fake ads for products or services that don't actually exist. Their goal is to try and collect payments from victims without ever providing the advertised product. These types of scams often promise hot ticket items like concert tickets, pets, vehicles, or other in-demand products at unbelievably low prices. The ads are intentionally designed to look legitimate and prey upon people's desire to find a great deal. Once a purchase is made through the fake ad, the scammer pockets the money and the victim never receives what they paid for. Oftentimes the victim is unable to get their money back either. To avoid falling victim to sales scams on Facebook, remember that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be extra cautious about ads from sellers you don't already know or trust. It's always safest to make purchases from reputable, verified sellers instead of random ads that could be fakes preying on consumers. Applying a critical eye and a bit of skepticism can go a long way in avoiding these types of scams. Romance Scams
Romance scams are one of the most common scams on Facebook. Scammers will create fake profiles, often using stolen photos, and spend weeks or months forming an online relationship with their victim. Once they have gained the victim's trust and affection, they will start asking for money to deal with supposed emergencies or difficulties. For example, the scammer may claim they need money for a plane ticket to finally meet you in person. Or they may pretend to have a medical emergency or be stranded overseas without money. Their goal is to manipulate genuine feelings of affection to trick victims into sending them money. If an online romantic partner starts asking you for money before you have met them in person, be extremely cautious. Ask yourself why this person cannot get money from other sources and try to verify their identity and claims before sending anything. Be wary of anyone who seems too perfect, makes lavish claims about their lifestyle, or presses you for financial help. Avoid sending money or personal details to someone you have not met in person. Real relationships take time to build - don't rush into anything. Charity Scams
Scammers often take advantage of people's generosity by setting up fake fundraisers or soliciting donations for non-existent charities. Their goal is to pocket the money meant for charity. These charity scams may involve creating fake Facebook pages or profiles purporting to represent real charitable organizations. The scammers then try to elicit donations through posts, messages, advertising, or videos. Sometimes the scammers impersonate individuals claiming to be fundraising for medical expenses, disasters, or other sympathetic causes. They ask Facebook friends for money through messages or posts. To avoid getting duped, it's important to thoroughly vet any organization before donating. Stick to well-known, established charities like the Red Cross or United Way. Be wary of brand-new organizations or personal fundraisers from people you don't know well. Check that donation links go to legitimate websites before providing any financial information. If a charity claims to be raising money for a recent disaster, check lists of approved charities from reputable sources. Identity Theft Scams
Scammers are always looking for ways to steal users' personal information and commit identity theft and fraud. One common technique they use is through fake surveys or quizzes. The scam usually starts with a post or ad prompting you to take a "fun quiz" or survey. The survey will ask you to provide personal details like your date of birth, hometown, pet's name, street you grew up on, and other information. While the questions may seem random or harmless, scammers can potentially use those details to guess your passwords, security questions, or gain enough info to steal your identity. The more questions you answer, the more data you're handing over. Never provide sensitive personal information through online surveys or quizzes, especially from pages or sources you don't know. Be very wary of any surveys posted or shared on Facebook - they are rarely legitimate. Ignore and report them instead. It's best practice to always be cautious about sharing any personal details publicly online. Make sure your privacy settings are locked down as well. Don't make it easy for scammers to steal your identity or commit fraud in your name. What To Do If You're Scammed
If you think you've been scammed on Facebook, take action right away to secure your accounts and protect yourself from further harm. Report the scams to Facebook Use the report links on Facebook to notify them about fake accounts, posts, pages or groups. The more people who report scams, the faster Facebook can act to take them down.
Change your password and enable two-factor authentication Reset your Facebook password to something strong and unique that scammers can't guess. Turn on two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security on your account.
Monitor accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity Keep a close eye on your Facebook activity for signs of unauthorized access. Also check bank and credit card statements for any fraudulent charges. Obtain a free credit report to spot any accounts or loans opened in your name.
File a police report for crimes If you lost money due to a scam, file a report with your local police department. This creates an official record and may help with resolving fraudulent charges.
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