By Alli Matteo | Customer Service Representative | Norfolk Main Branch
Social media platforms like Facebook have become integral to our daily lives. Unfortunately, this popularity also attracts cybercriminals who constantly devise new ways to deceive users.
At Midwest Bank, we prioritize your financial safety and want to ensure you know about the current Facebook scams and how to protect yourself.
Common Facebook Scams
Phishing Scams: These scams involve fraudulent messages or posts that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, friends, or well-known companies. These messages often contain links that direct you to fake websites where you are prompted to enter personal information, including banking details.
How to Avoid:
- Never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.
- Always verify the sender’s identity.
- Look for inconsistencies in the message, such as poor grammar or urgent language.
Romance Scams: Romance scams occur when a scammer creates a fake profile to establish a romantic relationship with a victim. Over time, the scammer gains the victim’s trust and eventually asks for money, claiming it’s for a personal emergency or travel expenses to visit the victim.
How to Avoid:
- Be cautious when interacting with strangers online.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Be wary of profiles with limited information or overly perfect photos.
Lottery and Giveaway Scams: These scams involve messages claiming that you have won a prize or are eligible for a giveaway. You are asked to provide personal information or pay a small fee to claim the prize. This is a tactic to steal your information or money.
How to Avoid:
- Remember that legitimate lotteries or giveaways will not ask for payment to claim a prize.
- Verify the authenticity of the giveaway by checking the official website or contacting the company directly.
Charity Scams: In charity scams, fraudsters create fake charities or impersonate real ones to solicit donations for causes that don’t exist. These scams often emerge after natural disasters or during holidays when people are more inclined to give.
How to Avoid:
- Research the charity before making any donations.
- Use trusted platforms for charitable contributions.
- Be cautious of urgent appeals for donations.
Job Offer Scams: Job offer scams target users with promises of high-paying jobs that require minimal effort. These offers often require an upfront payment for training or materials or seek personal information for identity theft.
How to Avoid:
- Be skeptical of job offers that seem too good to be true.
- Never pay for a job opportunity.
- Verify the company’s legitimacy by checking its official website and contacting it directly.
“Here at Midwest, we value your safety. Please be cautious when scrolling through your socials.”
Protecting Yourself from Scams
Enhance Privacy Settings: Adjust your Facebook privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information. Limit visibility to friends only.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your Facebook account by enabling two-factor authentication.
Regularly Monitor Account Activity: Monitor your account activity for suspicious behavior or unauthorized logins.
Educate Yourself: Stay informed about cybercriminals’ latest scams and tactics. Knowledge is your first line of defense.
Reporting Scams
If you encounter a scam on Facebook, report it immediately:
- Use the reporting feature on Facebook to flag suspicious posts or messages.
- Contact Midwest Bank if you believe your financial information has been compromised.
Your security is our top priority. You can protect yourself from falling victim to Facebook scams by staying vigilant and informed. Always think twice before sharing personal information or making payments online. For more tips on online safety or assistance with any suspicious activity, please get in touch with us.
Stay safe and secure!