How to Recognize a Fake Facebook Meta Message

Fake Facebook support messages can look very convincing, as they often use Facebook’s logo, color scheme, and language. However, there are some signs that can help you spot a fake message from a real one.

Here are some tips to help you recognize a fake scammer message:

• Check the sender’s name and profile picture. Fake messages often come from accounts that have no profile picture, a generic name, or a name that is similar to Facebook’s official accounts, but with a slight spelling or punctuation difference. For example, a fake message might come from “Facebook Support” instead of “Facebook Help Center”.
• Check the message’s tone and grammar. Fake messages often use urgent, threatening, or flattering language to pressure you into clicking on a link or providing information. They may also contain spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors that indicate a lack of professionalism or authenticity. For example, a fake message might say “Your page has been reported for violating our community standards. Click here to verify your identity and restore your page, otherwise your page will be permanently disabled within 24 hours.”
• Check the link’s URL. Fake messages often contain links that look similar to Facebook’s official website, but with a slight difference. For example, a fake link might use “facebook.com” instead of “facebook.com”, or add extra characters or words to the URL. Fake links may also redirect you to a website that looks like Facebook’s login page, but is actually a phishing site that steals your username and password. To check the link’s URL, hover your mouse over it and look at the bottom left corner of your browser. If the URL does not match Facebook’s official website, do not click on it.
• Check the message’s attachments. Fake messages may also include attachments that contain malware or viruses that can harm your computer or device. These attachments may look like documents, images, videos, or audio files, but they are actually executable files that run malicious code when opened.

  To check the message’s attachments, look at the file extension and size. If the file extension is not a common one, such as .doc, .jpg, .mp4, or .mp3, or if the file size is unusually large or small, do not open it.

How to Report a Fake Message

If you receive a fake message, do not reply, click on any links, or open any attachments. Instead, report it to Facebook and delete it from your inbox. Here are the steps to report a fake message:

• On Facebook’s website, open the message and click on the three dots icon in the top right corner. Then, select “Report as Spam” or “Report as Abuse”.
• On Facebook’s app, open the message and tap on the “i” icon in the top right corner. Then, tap on “Something’s Wrong” and select “Spam” or “Abuse”.
• On Facebook Messenger’s website or app, open the message and click or tap on the person’s name or profile picture. Then, select “Block” or “Report” and choose the appropriate option.

Reporting a fake message will help Facebook identify and stop the scammers, and protect other users from falling victim to the same scam.

How to Protect Your Facebook (Meta) Business Page

To prevent scammers from targeting your business page, you should take some precautions to secure your account and page. Here are some tips to protect your business page:

• Use a strong and unique password for your Facebook account, and change it regularly. Do not use the same password for other online accounts or services, and do not share it with anyone.
• Enable two-factor authentication for your Facebook account, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a confirmation from your phone or another device when you log in from a new location or device.
• Review your page’s settings and permissions, and limit who can post, comment, or message on your page. You can also block or ban users who spam or harass your page.
• Educate yourself and your staff about the common types of scams and how to avoid them. You can also follow Facebook’s official pages, such as [Facebook Business] or [Facebook Security], for the latest updates and tips on how to keep your page safe.

Facebook scams targeting business owners are a serious threat that can damage your reputation, finances, and security. However, by following the tips above, you can recognize, report, and prevent these scams, and keep your business page safe and successful.  Oh, and make sure to ask your Gem Webb Inc. team if you are still concerned as we are always here to help our social media marketing clients!