Don't lose your Facebook account: Discover the scam that's locking unsuspecting users out
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Social media scams have been on the rise in recent years as criminals look for new ways to steal personal information.
One cunning scam that is currently making rounds on social media targets Facebook users through fake copyright notices. According to a cybersecurity firm, reports of this scam have doubled in the last six months alone.
According to Cybernews, the scam works by sending emails that appear to come from Facebook, claiming the recipient's account has been suspended for violating someone else's copyright.
The email will threaten the victim that their account will be permanently disabled if action is not taken within 24 hours. They will be urged to click the link included to submit an appeal about the copyright claim. But clicking it leads to a convincing fake login page designed to steal the victim’s credentials.
Those who fell victim to the scam find their accounts being renamed to ‘Meta Copyright Infringement’ or other variation, or sometimes their account would be disabled.
Other victims experienced credit card fraud, damages to their suspended business accounts, and even lost photographs they posted over the years.
Some victims noticed that their hacked accounts were used to share explicit or violent content, with one person saying there was a picture of two men armed with AK-47 guns posted on their behalf, ‘written in a language I do not understand’.
This scam is not exclusive to Facebook, however, as Instagram users were hit with similar fake copyright infringement emails in the past. But since Facebook is older, the platform has many more photographs, contacts, and memories that can disappear should the user lose their account.
Unfortunately, affected users who reached out to Meta Platforms—Facebook and Instagram’s parent company—were left frustrated with the company’s inaction on the issue.
‘I've had this account for 16 years, and it’s linked to all my business accounts, and I cannot use anything. When putting in an appeal using the form, it immediately says I cannot review,’ a victim shared.
‘I have deceased family members and thousands of photos and memories I don’t want to lose…Emailed countless Facebook support emails, and I haven’t heard anything back! Very frustrating,’ a second victim stated.
As of writing, Meta has not released a comment about this scam.
According to Joe Karasin, Head of Karasin PPC Digital Marketing Company, deleted items or photos in a victim's account will not be recovered.
He explained: ‘I have several clients that have experienced this scam. Facebook has been little help to any of them. If you fall victim to the scam, you can go through the account recovery process, however, any data you gave to the scammers or your photos might be lost forever.’
He added that If financial damage is involved, users should immediately notify their bank to recover their money and replace their exposed bank details.
‘The best advice I can give is to know that Facebook will not send you a direct message, ever, especially to a personal account. If you are seriously in violation of a copyright issue, it will appear in your notifications, not Messenger, and most likely not in your email,’ Mr Karasin advised.
He also stated that everyone should be suspicious of the links in messages from people they don’t know.
‘If someone you do know messages you but they seem off, ask them a question only you and they would know the answer to. If they can't answer it, block and report the account immediately,’ he continued.
For those who were affected by this type of scam, Gary Huestis of Powerhouse Forensics said that victims should report their compromised account to: facebook.com/hacked.
He shared: ‘You should also check your Facebook messages and posts to see if the attacker sent any messages to your friends acting as you or posted any content to try to get more people to fall for this scam.’
‘As with other types of scams and phishing attacks, pay attention to any emails or messages that ask you to enter your password or provide any security information,’ Mr Huestis added.
He also advised people to go to Security Settings to enable login alerts and two-factor authentication.
Here’s a tutorial on how to change your Privacy and Security Settings on Facebook:
With over 2 billion users globally, Facebook remains a prime target. But wise internet users who practice safe online habits can avoid this frustrating fate.
Stay vigilant, ask questions, and don't let scammers rush you into reckless clicks. With a little care, you can keep enjoying social media scam-free.
Have you, or anyone you know, experienced this type of scam? Let us know in the comments below!
One cunning scam that is currently making rounds on social media targets Facebook users through fake copyright notices. According to a cybersecurity firm, reports of this scam have doubled in the last six months alone.
According to Cybernews, the scam works by sending emails that appear to come from Facebook, claiming the recipient's account has been suspended for violating someone else's copyright.
The email will threaten the victim that their account will be permanently disabled if action is not taken within 24 hours. They will be urged to click the link included to submit an appeal about the copyright claim. But clicking it leads to a convincing fake login page designed to steal the victim’s credentials.
Facebook users have been targeted by a fake infringement notice. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels
Those who fell victim to the scam find their accounts being renamed to ‘Meta Copyright Infringement’ or other variation, or sometimes their account would be disabled.
Other victims experienced credit card fraud, damages to their suspended business accounts, and even lost photographs they posted over the years.
Some victims noticed that their hacked accounts were used to share explicit or violent content, with one person saying there was a picture of two men armed with AK-47 guns posted on their behalf, ‘written in a language I do not understand’.
This scam is not exclusive to Facebook, however, as Instagram users were hit with similar fake copyright infringement emails in the past. But since Facebook is older, the platform has many more photographs, contacts, and memories that can disappear should the user lose their account.
Unfortunately, affected users who reached out to Meta Platforms—Facebook and Instagram’s parent company—were left frustrated with the company’s inaction on the issue.
‘I've had this account for 16 years, and it’s linked to all my business accounts, and I cannot use anything. When putting in an appeal using the form, it immediately says I cannot review,’ a victim shared.
‘I have deceased family members and thousands of photos and memories I don’t want to lose…Emailed countless Facebook support emails, and I haven’t heard anything back! Very frustrating,’ a second victim stated.
As of writing, Meta has not released a comment about this scam.
According to Joe Karasin, Head of Karasin PPC Digital Marketing Company, deleted items or photos in a victim's account will not be recovered.
He explained: ‘I have several clients that have experienced this scam. Facebook has been little help to any of them. If you fall victim to the scam, you can go through the account recovery process, however, any data you gave to the scammers or your photos might be lost forever.’
He added that If financial damage is involved, users should immediately notify their bank to recover their money and replace their exposed bank details.
‘The best advice I can give is to know that Facebook will not send you a direct message, ever, especially to a personal account. If you are seriously in violation of a copyright issue, it will appear in your notifications, not Messenger, and most likely not in your email,’ Mr Karasin advised.
He also stated that everyone should be suspicious of the links in messages from people they don’t know.
‘If someone you do know messages you but they seem off, ask them a question only you and they would know the answer to. If they can't answer it, block and report the account immediately,’ he continued.
For those who were affected by this type of scam, Gary Huestis of Powerhouse Forensics said that victims should report their compromised account to: facebook.com/hacked.
He shared: ‘You should also check your Facebook messages and posts to see if the attacker sent any messages to your friends acting as you or posted any content to try to get more people to fall for this scam.’
‘As with other types of scams and phishing attacks, pay attention to any emails or messages that ask you to enter your password or provide any security information,’ Mr Huestis added.
He also advised people to go to Security Settings to enable login alerts and two-factor authentication.
Here’s a tutorial on how to change your Privacy and Security Settings on Facebook:
With over 2 billion users globally, Facebook remains a prime target. But wise internet users who practice safe online habits can avoid this frustrating fate.
Stay vigilant, ask questions, and don't let scammers rush you into reckless clicks. With a little care, you can keep enjoying social media scam-free.
Have you, or anyone you know, experienced this type of scam? Let us know in the comments below!
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