Not all chain letters that circulate on Facebook, WhatsApp and CO can be classified as false reports. Some of these are true. Just like the one that has been shared on Facebook again and again for years, as is currently the case.
We’ll show you what the report is and how you can protect yourself from this scam.
It’s about the warning that Facebook accounts are being “hacked”. The chain letter as wording (sic!):
“Guys, please pay attention! Almost all Facebook accounts have been or are currently being hacked. The profile picture and your name will be used to open a new FB account. Then they try to convince your friends to add you as a friend again … and voila, they try to ruin your life! Your friends will think it’s your account and will accept the friend request. From that moment on, these pirates can write whatever they want on your behalf! I want to let you know today that I have NO plans to open a new account, so please don’t accept a second invitation from me! I also don’t send videos in Messenger, so never click! I have no intention of borrowing money from you or getting you to invest in Bitcoins. Copy and post this message on your homepage so your friends are warned !! Do not forward or share. Simply hold your finger longer on the text and then click on Copy Text and then press longer where you are writing on your home page. Insert text appears and you’re done. With that in mind … stay vigilant. So far I’ve been spared! So please do not accept a second friend request from me. “
Identity theft
This warning can be taken seriously because the scam of “identity theft” (copied Facebook profiles) has been around for many years.
Fraudsters scour the publicly available information on a Facebook profile and exploit it as best they can. With this information they make one 1: 1 copy of the profile and actually try through renewed friend requests to be added to your friends list by your friends.
BUT: The accounts are NOT CHOPPED! It is also not about “almost all accounts”. Of course, that doesn’t make the scam any better, but it does at least clear up an additional falsehood.
This is what identity thieves do
A scammer creates a new Facebook identity with one identical name and the previously used profile picture + cover picture created.
After that, the cyber fraudster visits that Original-Profil and scours the entire list of friends of the victim, which in turn received another friend request. The majority of users also accept these requests, because they “know” each other.
If you confirm this request, the new friend immediately opens a message asking you for your own mobile phone number and the numerical codes, which are received immediately afterwards. Absolute caution is required here. These small and inconspicuous number codes are worth real money! By passing on the numerical codes, the fraudsters are able to redeem them with payment service providers and thereby charge the victim’s mobile phone bill. Just passing on the mobile phone number does not, however, burden your own mobile phone bill.
In general, it is important to also make supposed friends – be it via messenger or via social networks – never pass on payment or confirmation codes sent by SMS.
How can I protect myself? What should I do?
► Optimize your Facebook settings!
1. LOOK FOR A COPY OF YOUR ACCOUNT FIRST
Use the Facebook SEARCH and search for your name once. Your friends should also support you in your search, because the fraudsters usually block the ORIGINAL profile and so it may be that your profile exists twice, but you cannot find it. If you or one of your friends discovered a copy, then REPORTS the copied profile immediately.
2. HIDE YOUR FRIENDS LIST
As soon as an account has the friends list set to “Just me”, it is already of no interest to the Internet crooks. To do this, click on “Friends” in your profile (under the cover picture). On the right side you will find these 3 points in front of “…” and please edit your “privacy”. Put here: “Who can see your friends list?” To “Only me”
Here you can change the settings for your friends list.
3. NEVER “PUBLIC”, IF POSSIBLE
EVERYONE doesn’t always have to know everything. It is completely sufficient if your FRIENDS learn something. You can set the setting for this directly in the status post. This concerns pure text contributions, but also photos and videos.
4. PLEASE ALSO MAKE THE FOLLOWING SETTINGS:
Content, contacts and searches
► Who can see your future posts: “Friends”
► Who can send the friend requests: “Everyone” or “Friends of Friends”. Our recommendation: “Friends of Friends”
► Would you like other search engines to include a link to your timeline: REMOVE tick, restrict visibility
► Who can post in your timeline: “Friends”
► Do you want to review posts that you’ve been tagged in before they show up on your profile? “Enabled”
► Who can see flagged posts: Our recommendation: “Friends”
► Who can see what others post on your timeline: Our recommendation: “Friends”
► User marking suggestions: “Enabled”
► Combine your actions with advertisements: “No one”
Support consumer centers!
Those affected and those seeking advice can also contact one of the advice centers of Consumer advice centers seek advice.
In addition to personal consultations, for example for Saxony under the number of the Saxony-wide appointment phone 0341-6962929 can be agreed, an email consultation is also possible on the website of the consumer center Saxony.
Advice over the phone is also guaranteed. All information is available on our website: https://www.verbraucherzentrale-sachsen.de/telefonberatung
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