I got a phone call this week from a woman named Jenny Golden. And Jenny was asking for help. She needed a voice and a platform, so I offered to help.
Jenny’s Facebook profile was hacked, and unfortunately, that resulted in friends and strangers alike getting scammed out of money and leaving Jenny on the hook.
Here’s what happened in what has become a more and more common scam. Jenny’s profile got hacked, and she was locked out of her account. The hacker then made a post that looked like Jenny was selling a lot of stuff—appliances, cars, household items, etc. The hacker then ‘sold’ the items, often to people who Jenny knows took their money and then ghosted.
Obviously, the person controlling the profile isn’t Jenny, but suddenly, the real Jenny has people she knows looking for their money or items — neither of which she has.
Again, because Jenny no longer has access to or control of her profile, there is literally nothing she can do to stop it.
I’ve seen others get caught up in similar situations, and unfortunately, Meta is little to no help in fixing the problem. Often, the only thing you can do is abandon the profile and start again. Often losing YEARS’ worth of photos, memories, and more!
So, what can we do to stay safer online — especially on Facebook? Here are some tips.
1. Recognize Common Scams — Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, but here are some of the most common scams:
Phishing Messages – Scammers send messages that appear to be from Facebook or other trusted sources, asking you to click on a link and enter your login details.
Fake Giveaways – “Congratulations! You’ve won a free iPhone!” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Investment Scams – Beware of messages promising huge returns on Bitcoin or other investments with little effort.
Romance Scams – Scammers pose as love interests to gain your trust and then ask for money.
Impersonation Scams – Someone pretends to be a distressed friend or relative, asking for urgent financial help.
Fake Job Offers – Scammers post bogus job opportunities requiring you to pay for training or supplies upfront.
2. Protect Your Account — Taking proactive security measures can prevent scammers from targeting you:
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code and your password.
Use Strong Passwords – Avoid easily guessed passwords like “123456” or “password.”
Be Cautious with Friend Requests – Scammers often create fake profiles to befriend and scam users.
Check Your Privacy Settings – Limit what publicly visible information is on your profile.
Monitor Account Activity – Regularly check your login history for any suspicious activity.
3. Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links – Scammers often use malicious links to steal credentials or infect your device with malware. Be wary of:
Links sent from unknown contacts or pages.
Messages urging you to act quickly to avoid losing access to your account.
Emails or messages claiming to be from Facebook asking for personal details.
4. Verify Before You Trust — Before engaging with any offer, message, or request, take a moment to verify its legitimacy:
Search Online – Google the offer or message to see if others have reported it as a scam.
Contact the Person Directly – If a friend messages you about an emergency, call them to confirm. If they seem to be suddenly selling off their worldly possession for way too cheap — be suspicious.
5. Report and Block Scammers — If you suspect a scam, take action:
Report the Scam to Facebook – Use the platform’s reporting feature to flag suspicious accounts, posts, or messages.
Block the Scammer – Prevent them from contacting you or viewing your profile.
Warn Others – Let friends and family know about scams you’ve encountered so they can avoid them, too.
Scammers use deception and urgency to trick people into giving away personal information or money. By staying informed, being skeptical, and using Facebook’s security features, you can protect yourself and others from falling victim to these scams. Always remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
If the scam seems to be coming from someone you personally know, reach out off social media to double-check if things are legit.
