Beware of new scams on Facebook that prey on your emotions.
Scammers hack people’s Facebook accounts and post sad messages like “I can’t believe he’s gone” and tag you or others to get attention.
You may think they are mourning a loved one and want to offer their condolences, but don’t be fooled.
This is a trick to trick you into clicking on harmful links that may compromise your security or privacy.
Fake news articles and links (Georgetown Police Station)
How scammers use fake news and fake emotions to steal your Facebook password
The scam begins with a post from an acquaintance saying, “I can’t believe he’s gone. I’m going to miss him so much.” The post contains a link that appears to be a news article or video, but is actually a trap. Clicking on the link takes you to a fake web page of his that asks you to log in to Facebook. If you do, you’ll be handing over your Facebook password to a scammer. There are no news articles or videos, just clever ways to steal your personal information.
This Facebook Messenger phishing scam is stealing millions of passwords
Scammers use hacked Facebook accounts to spread “I can’t believe he’s gone.” phishing link. It’s hard to resist because the posts look like they’re from a friend or relative. If you fall victim to this scam, the scammer can use your girlfriend’s Facebook account to post the same message to your contacts to lure more people into the scam.
Fake news article with video posted on Facebook (Reddit)
More information: Don’t fall for the ‘Who’s dead’ Facebook message trap
How the “I can’t believe he’s gone” scam tricks you
The “I can’t believe he’s gone” Facebook scam is a clever trick to get you to click. Let’s analyze the mental and social techniques that make it so effective.
pretend to be friends
This scam post appears to be from your Facebook friend. But in reality, your friend’s account has been hijacked or copied by scammers. The familiar name and photo make it seem like a personal message. You are more likely to pay attention to shocking news from a friend than from a stranger.
Harnessing emotions with sad stories
The post begins: “I can’t believe he’s gone. I’ll miss him so much.” This makes it seem like the person may have lost someone close to him. The emotional tone of this video resonates and makes you want to know what happened.
Use fake news headlines to persuade you
Fake headlines from trusted news sources such as CNN or BBC News give the impression of authenticity. You’re used to trusting the mainstream media, so their headlines seem trustworthy. When you see this, you believe that the tragedy is real.
Makes me want to see more
Shocking posts and article headlines arouse intense curiosity. who died? How did it happen? I feel you need to watch the video to get the answer. This is exactly what the scammer wants you to do.
View video thumbnails to confirm your fear
The video thumbnail shows a car accident or another disaster that may have caused the death. You tend to trust what you see with your own eyes. This image makes the accident seem real and tangible.
Let your guard down with a friend’s name
Seeing a friend share such sad news makes you less suspicious. Your first reaction is to offer support rather than question whether it’s true. This trust in your friend helps scammers avoid her Facebook’s spam detection.
It will take you away from Facebook and steal your passwords.
This scam avoids warnings you might receive on Facebook by directing users to an external site. Facebook lets you see where a link goes before you open it. However, these redirects hide the destination.
women on facebook (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More information: How to protect yourself from social media scammers
5 ways to protect yourself from Facebook phishing scams
1) Don’t click on the link: Be sure to hover over the link to see its content. The name of a legitimate news source is usually included in the URL. It’s best to go directly to the news source and search for the specific article you want to read.
2) If you use Facebook, be aware that your account is always being hacked. Make sure you only open links from people you actually know, even if they’re tagged. And before that, look for any changes in activity or behavior from the profiles you’re looking at.
3) Check with a friend: If in doubt, check with the friend who posted the message. They probably didn’t know that their account was used for fraud.
Four) See comments: Other users often expose scams in the comments. See if anyone says it’s a hoax or violation.
Five) Install good antivirus software on all your devices. Installing antivirus software on your device will ensure that you are prevented from clicking on malicious links that can install malware on your device and allow hackers to access your personal information. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
More information: Ghost hacking: How to protect yourself from scams from beyond the grave
What if I click on the “I can’t believe he’s gone” link?
Immediately terminate any fraudulent pages or videos. Don’t stay on the website or video that opens the link. The longer you are there, the more danger you face. Leave the page as soon as possible without entering any information or downloading anything.
Run a malware scan using antivirus software. Some redirects can secretly download or install malware such as viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, and other harmful programs on your device.Please use antivirus software Scan for malware and remove it before it can cause damage or steal data.
Reset your Facebook password. Your Facebook account may have been hacked. To prevent hackers from gaining further access to another device, go to your Facebook security settings and Please change your password. Make sure it’s different from other passwords and difficult to guess. Please consider using . password manager Generate and save complex passwords.
Turn on two-factor authentication for Facebook. two-factor authentication Your Facebook account will be more secure. After resetting the password on another device, go to his two-factor settings on that other device and enable it. This means you will need a password and another authentication method, such as a code or biometrics, to log in.
Monitor your account for unusual activity. Always keep an eye on your social, financial, and email accounts for any changes you didn’t make. A hacker could use your girlfriend’s Facebook account to break into other accounts linked to it.
Check your credit report and freeze your credit. Sharing your personal information may expose you to the following risks: identity theft. Get your credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and look for any open accounts. You may want to freeze your credit with each financial institution to prevent criminals from opening new accounts in your name.
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Use Identity Theft Protection. Given the sneaky rise in Facebook phishing scams that exploit our emotions using fake news and dangerous links, it’s important that we step up to stay safe. This is why preventing identity theft is important. Identity theft protection companies monitor personal information such as your house title, social security number, phone number, and email address and alert you if it is used to open an account. It can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further misuse by criminals. Check out our tips and recommendations on how to protect yourself from identity theft..
Beware of related scams via phone or email. Be on the lookout for suspicious calls or emails that may be related to scams and result from accidentally disclosing personal information such as email or phone number. Scammers often use a variety of tactics to trick users into divulging sensitive information. Once scammers have this information, they can use it to commit further fraud, such as phishing and identity theft. Do not respond or click on links or attachments. They may try to trick you into providing more information or money.
Word fraud using Facebook account (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Cart important points
With life changing so fast, it can be difficult to spot a scam on Facebook, especially if you’re tagged in someone you know in an emotional post. But before you respond or click on a Facebook post that tugs at your heartstrings, it pays to slow down.
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