At Big Rig Media, we prioritize the safety and security of our clients’ online presence. With the digital landscape constantly evolving, new threats emerge that can jeopardize the integrity of your business’s online platforms. One such threat that has gained prominence recently is Facebook phishing scams targeting business pages. These scams are not only sophisticated but also employ high-pressure tactics to make users panic and click on malicious links.
Example of a Phishing Scam
Imagine receiving this note on your Facebook business page’s messenger that reads:
Your page has been repeatedly reported as violating someone else’s rights. We’ve warned in the past that if you continue to post content on your page that infringes someone else’s intellectual property rights, your page will be disabled. Confirm your identity within the next 24 hours otherwise, your page may be permanently disabled.
Name Page: [Your Business Name]
ID Page: [Number]
Account Confirmation: Presented as a Facebook link – ⚠️ Warning! Stay Clear & Do Not Click! 🚫 Security Team.
This message is designed to create a sense of urgency, pressuring the recipient to take immediate action. It’s important to note that while this is one example, scams can come in various forms and wordings. Always be vigilant and skeptical of any unexpected or suspicious messages.
Key Indicators of Facebook Phishing Scams
As highlighted in a recent Malwarebytes article, there are several tell-tale signs of phishing scams:
- High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers often claim your account has been disabled and urge immediate action. Some even state that action is needed within 24 hours, or the account will be deleted permanently.
- Fake Links: The messages redirect users to fake Facebook pages designed to steal personal information such as login email, name, and phone number.
- Misspellings and Odd Phrasings: Be cautious of messages with grammatical errors or awkward language.
- Unrecognized Senders: Scam messages might have senders who aren’t using a Facebook address and links to sites that aren’t Facebook.
Protecting Your Business Page
- Review Your Page’s Health: First and foremost, Meta/Facebook does not send messages via Messenger. If Facebook has an issue with your page, it will be noted in the Page Quality section. To access this:
- Log into Facebook.
- Click your profile photo in the top right.
- Click ‘See all Profiles,’ and select the page you want to view.
- Click your page profile picture in the top right.
- From the dropdown menu, click ‘Settings & privacy’ and then ‘Settings.’
- In the left-hand menu select, ‘New Pages Experience’ and then ‘Page quality.”
For additional details on how to review your page’s health, refer to Facebook’s official help article.
- Educate Your Team: Ensure everyone who manages your page is aware of these Facebook phishing scams. They should never reply to suspicious messages or click on unknown links.
- Report and Delete: Report suspicious messages as spam and then delete them to prevent inadvertent engagement.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Think of this as a double-check for your account’s safety. Not only will Facebook ask for a second password or code when you log in from a new device, but you’ll also get alerts if someone tries logging in from a place or device that’s not usual for you. For a step-by-step guide on activating this feature, visit Facebook’s two-factor authentication setup.
Your Digital Safety Is Our Priority
At Big Rig Media, we’re committed to ensuring our clients are equipped with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their online presence. As Facebook phishing scams become more sophisticated, it’s crucial to stay informed and vigilant. If you ever have concerns about the security of your online platforms or need assistance in implementing protective measures, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help!