“Beware of New Facebook Scam Using Emotional Manipulation, Warns Security Company”

Online fraudsters like to play on emotions to try to trick us. Sneaky, but probably quite effective.

Now the security company is warning DataProt about a new Facebook scam that uses exactly this type of manipulation.

The scammers “hijack” the accounts of Facebook users without their knowledge, then send out messages to their friends with the text “look who died” or “look who just died” along with a link to a news article.

And who doesn’t get an urge to click when you receive such a sensational message?

Will steal your login

But the article is obviously false. If you click on it, you will be taken to a phishing page that can steal your login information or install malware on your devices, warns DataProt.

They will then lock you out of your account and use your profile to spread the same fake message to even more Facebook users.

As if that wasn’t enough: if you are scammed and have your bank details linked to your Facebook account, the online fraudsters can access these and steal your money, according to the Australian online newspaper News.com.au.

Sigrid-Anette stalks fraudsters: – Fun

Be careful what you click on

As always, the advice to be careful when receiving links in messages in Facebook Messenger or other social media is valid. If it looks suspicious, it’s best to just stay away, unless it comes from a friend.

– Malware distributors have become increasingly clever, and you have to be careful about what you download and click on, the FBI has previously warned, according to News.com.au.

According to ABC7News Cybercriminals love Facebook accounts because of all the personal data they can get their hands on. This data can be used to access accounts outside of Facebook or sold on the dark web.

Sounding the alarm: – The tip of the iceberg

Been tricked?

If you have fallen for such a scam, the security company DataProt advises you to change your password immediately to avoid being banned from your account.

Also take a look in the security settings to see if any unknown devices may still have access.

If you haven’t done so yet, you should of course switch on two-factor authentication.