When scammers want to create completely fake accounts, they steal images from Google and invent a name and identity. How are you at risk of being hacked? Often hacks occur through shared computers or networks. Some spammers hack real accounts, while others create fake accounts using people’s duplicate names and photos. This scam is efficient, as the scammer is preying on your trust and hoping you trust your friend’s message, without question! Unfortunately, the person who sent the original message is a scammer with a fake account or someone who hacked into one of your friend’s accounts. That person is “in” on the scam and, though believable, will take your private and credit card information and use it fraudulently or even sell it. Other times, they will ask you to call a phone number or have someone call you. They may send you a link which will phish your information once you access it or download malware onto your computer or device. and advise you how to help or gain the same funds they have. They tell you that they won money, need a loan, have a grant or special offer, etc. You receive a message or invite from someone you know online or an invite to connect with someone new on Messenger. These occur when a scammer sends a message via Messenger, to get money or your private information and financial data. How Does the Facebook Messenger Scam Work? On Messenger users can use send secret messages, start group chats, share conversation and photographs, or talk by video phone chat. If you download Facebook Messenger without having a Facebook account, you can sign up with your phone number and name. You can use it in conjunction with your Facebook account, but it can also be downloaded as a separate messaging app. What is Facebook Messenger?įacebook Messenger is a messaging app developed by Facebook. Don’t let this happen to you and follow the steps below. Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.Often, people don’t even realize they were scammed until it is too late and their financial information is jeopardized, or their identity is stolen.See the full story with 2 News Oklahoma on Thursday at 6 a.m. If the grant isn't on the list, it's probably a scam.Ī big indicator something is a scam, experts said, is if you're asked to send money in the form of a gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency. If you do find yourself with a convincing message from a friend about a government grant, you can always check for a free list of available federal grants. In this case, the website in question came back as 76 percent likely to be a phish. This will show you if the website is trying to trick you into giving out sensitive information, or if the link will deploy malicious software onto your computer. You can check for phishing by copying the URL and pasting it into PhishTank. Then, report the grant scam to the social media site.Īs for the website “,” or ones like it, don't click on it. You might even reach out to your "actual" friend to tell them their account may be hacked or cloned. If this does happen to you, experts said do not to give out any personal information. It won't call, it won't text, and it won't reach out on social media. The Federal Trade Commission said the government will never get in touch out of the blue about grants. She’s got the right idea, as the message she received from her quote "friend" is likely a scam, and here's how you can tell. “She said that she got a $500,000 dollar grant but I just can't believe that it's legit,” Susan said. Susan's "friend" likely isn't a friend at all, but rather an impersonator looking for someone to take the bait. "It’s a website called and supposedly they're giving out free grants,” she said. She's raising the red flag on a scam that is again preying on innocent Facebook users. "I've been approached about something that I think is a scam, even though my friend says it is legitimate,” viewer Susan told 2 News. Scammers are impersonating your friends, sending messages about a government grant opportunity that could give you money. A common scam is making the rounds once again and could be showing up in your Facebook Messenger inbox.
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