Library of Congress Federal Credit Union

If you’ve ever come across a Facebook post that seemed odd or really out of place, you’ve 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.

Profile Cloning

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated all the time. They know that their victims aren’t 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.

To avoid this scam, simply connect with your real-life friend by phone or text to ensure it is or is not them. 

Malicious Messaging

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.

To avoid this scam, do not click on or reply to messages from anyone until you know they are legit.

Support Scam

Many businesses now offer customer support through social media. Never missing an opportunity to swindle people, scammers have started targeting this trend.

To spot a real page from a fake one, visit the company’s official website and click their Facebook icon. If you’re directed to a secure page, you’re safe. However, if you’re still unsure, just call or email the company instead.

Share-Too-Much Scam

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’ve visited, things you’ve done etc. can give criminals enough information to crack your personal passwords.

To avoid this scam, don’t 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. 

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The Stories from the Stacks blog is for everyone. From those facing financial challenges to those who simply want tips or a better understanding of their relationship with money, our blog is designed for anyone interested in advancing their financial life story. Let us know what topics you’d like us to explore next.