Phishing is a common method that cybercriminals use to trick people into giving up their personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. A nasty phishing scam is circling Facebook and TikTok, targeting users of these popular social media platforms. The scam uses attention-grabbing statements and links to lure victims into clicking on them and giving away their account access. This article will explain how the scam works, how to spot it, and how to avoid other Facebook and TikTok scams.
Explanation of the Nasty Phishing Scam
The scam spreads on Facebook and TikTok through direct messages from random or fake accounts. The message says something like “look who died in an accident, I think you know him” or “you won’t believe what this celebrity did, watch this video” and provides a link to click on. The link may look like a legitimate Facebook or TikTok URL, but it is actually a phishing site that mimics the appearance of the real ones. The phishing site asks the user to log in with their Facebook or TikTok credentials, or to verify their account by entering a code sent to their phone or email. By doing so, the user unknowingly hands over their account access to the scammers, who can then use it to spam their contacts, post malicious content, or steal their personal information.
The aim of the scammers is to gain access to as many accounts as possible and use them for their malicious purposes. They may also sell the stolen accounts or information to other cybercriminals on the dark web. The scammers use attention-grabbing statements and links to entice the users to click on them, exploiting their curiosity, fear, or greed. They also rely on the trust that users have in their friends or contacts, who may have fallen victim to the scam and unknowingly sent the phishing messages to them.
How to Spot the Scam
To avoid falling for this phishing scam, users should be wary of any suspicious messages and links that they receive on Facebook and TikTok. Here are some tips to spot the scam:
- Beware of messages that use urgent, shocking, or sensational language, such as “you won’t believe this” or “this is so sad”. These are designed to manipulate your emotions and make you act impulsively.
- Beware of messages that come from unknown or unfamiliar accounts, or from accounts that have no profile picture, no followers, or no posts. These are likely to be fake or compromised accounts used by the scammers.
- Beware of messages that ask you to click on a link or open an attachment, especially if they claim to show you something related to a death, an accident, a celebrity, or a prize. These are likely to be phishing links or malware.
- Pay attention to the URL of the link before you click on it. Check if it matches the official domain of Facebook or TikTok, such as facebook.com or tiktok.com. If it has any spelling errors, extra characters, or unfamiliar extensions, such as faceboook.com or tiktok.net, do not click on it.
- Pay attention to the security alerts that Facebook or TikTok may send you if they detect any unusual activity on your account, such as a login from a new device or location. Follow the instructions to secure your account and change your password.
- Report any suspicious messages or activity that you encounter on Facebook or TikTok to the platform’s support team. This will help them to identify and stop the scammers and protect other users.
Other Facebook and TikTok Scams to Watch Out for
The phishing scam is not the only one that targets Facebook and TikTok users. There are other scams that users should be aware of and avoid. Here are some of the top scams of 2023 and how to avoid them:
- Get-rich-quick and crypto scams: These scams promise huge rewards in return for little effort, such as investing in a cryptocurrency scheme, joining a pyramid scheme, or participating in a giveaway. They may use fake testimonials, endorsements, or screenshots to convince the users to join. To avoid these scams, users should do their own research before investing in anything, and never send money or personal information to strangers online.
- Bot accounts: These are accounts that are controlled by automated software, not by real people. They may interact with users in a way that makes them think they are chatting with a real person, and then ask them for sensitive information or redirect them to a scam site. To avoid these scams, users should be careful of who they chat with online, and never share their personal or financial information with anyone they do not know or trust.
- Fake TikTok log-in page: This is a scam that uses a fake TikTok log-in page to collect the user’s TikTok credentials. The user may encounter the fake page when they click on a link from an email, a text message, or an in-app message. The fake page looks like the real TikTok log-in page, but it is actually a phishing site that sends the user’s information to the scammers. To avoid this scam, users should always check the URL of the page before they log in, and never enter their credentials on any page that is not the official TikTok site.
Conclusion
Facebook and TikTok are popular social media platforms that attract millions of users every day. However, they also attract scammers who try to exploit the users’ trust, curiosity, or greed. Users should be aware of the phishing scam that is circling Facebook and TikTok, and how to spot and avoid it. Users should also be aware of other scams that target Facebook and TikTok users, and how to protect themselves from them. By being vigilant and cautious, users can enjoy the benefits of social media without falling victim to the scammers.
