An increasing number of scams on Facebook targeting business accounts have been brought to our attention. Individuals pretend to be Facebook administrators and send messages to businesses claiming that their accounts will be deleted soon because they violate Facebook's terms and conditions. They accuse businesses of infringing copyright and trademark rights and posting inappropriate content. This is a worrying trend with high risk, and businesses should be aware of this fraudulent activity.
Over time, scammers have become very good at creating messages that cause panic and urgency. In this particular scam, they target businesses that rely on social media like Facebook to make the stakes seem higher. These messages usually include a call to action, urging the account holder to file a complaint if they believe the deletion notice is a mistake. However, this is where the attack comes in: the link they provide, which supposedly leads to a review request form, is actually a phishing tool that aims to steal sensitive information.
Once the unsuspecting business owner clicks on the link, they're led to a page similar to Facebook's interface. Here, they're prompted to enter their Facebook account details. Some versions of the scam go even further, asking for personal information or financial data.
If someone believed the message was legitimate, clicked the link and gave over personal data, it could result in the following:
To safeguard your business against such scams, it's essential to stay informed and vigilant:
Social media plays a crucial role in the smooth functioning of many businesses and is a source of revenue for many more.. However, it is essential to be aware of the potential threats from social media and to adopt a cautious approach to online communications to protect your business. Your first line of defence against cyber threats is awareness.
Stay up-to-date with the latest insights and updates on protecting your business by following our blog and social channels.
If you need support in navigating these kinds of challenges and want to fortify your business against digital threats, consider reaching out to the North West Cyber Resilience Centre. Our team is dedicated to helping you to be cyber secure.
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