Online scams are unfortunately very common these days, especially on social media platforms like Facebook where scammers can easily create fake profiles and connect with unsuspecting users. Falling victim to an online scam can result in losing money, personal information, or even your Facebook account. However, there are steps you can take to catch a scammer on Facebook before they take advantage of you.
How to Spot a Facebook Scammer
The first line of defense against Facebook scammers is knowing how to recognize suspicious behavior and red flags. Here are some things to watch out for:
- Generic profile with few posts or friends
- Profile using celebrity photos or seems “too good to be true”
- Recent join date and/or multiple account name changes
- Messages you out of the blue andquickly asks personal questions
- Attempts to move conversation to another platform like WhatsApp or Google Hangouts
- Makes promises or proposals that sound too good to be true
- Uses stories aboutbeing abroad orin the militaryto ask for money
- Poor spelling, grammar, or use of scripted messages
- Presses you tosend moneyor provide personal information
If a Facebook user exhibits some of these behaviors, especially asking for money or personal details, use caution as they may be trying to scam you.
Reverse Image Search Profile Photos
One easy way to detect a scammer is to do a reverse image search on their profile photos. Here’s how:
- Right click and save one or more of their photos to your computer.
- Go to Google Images and click the camera icon to do a reverse image search.
- Upload the saved photo and see if it appears elsewhere online.
If the photo shows up onother social media profiles or stock image sites, it’s a red flag that the account is fake and using someone else’s photo.
Analyze Their Friends List
Scammers often have telltale signs in their Facebook friends list that expose their account as fake.
- Very few friends – This indicates the account lacks real social connections.
- High number of random foreign friends – Scammers often connect indiscriminately to seem more legitimate.
- Friends with similar names or profiles – Accounts used for the same scam campaign will be interconnected.
- High friend requests to strangers – Scammers cast a wide net sending requests hoping some will accept.
If the friends list doesn’t seem authentic, it’s likely a scam profile fishing for victims rather than a real person’s account.
Look for Recently Created Accounts
Scammers frequently create new Facebook accounts once their existing ones get shut down. Checking when the account joined Facebook can provide insight:
- Hover over the user’s name and click “See friendship” to see the join date.
- Compare join date to their number of posts and friends.
- Accounts made in the past few days or weeks with lots of friends/posts are big red flags.
Recent join dates indicate the account may be fake and specifically crafted for scamming purposes.
Observe How They Communicate
Scammers exhibit particular communication patterns and behaviors that can reveal their true intentions:
- Pushy or forceful about requests for money/favors
- Eager to move conversation off Facebook to less regulated platforms
- Frequent typos, grammar mistakes, or use of scripted messages
- Dodgy answers when asked specific personal questions
- Sob stories and time-sensitive emergencies
- Requests that don’t make logical sense
Note how they respond during your conversations. Inconsistencies, evasiveness, or high-pressure tactics are giveaways for scams.
Ask Specific Questions About Their Life
Put scammers to the test by asking detailed questions about their supposed background and life events. For example:
- What city were you born in?
- What was your high school mascot?
- What street did you live on as a kid?
Their inability to provide consistent, plausible answers indicates they don’t actually know the personal details of who they’re pretending to be.
Do a Search for Their Name and Photos
Go beyond just reverse image searching their photos by also doing some broader internet searches:
- Search their name in quotes (e.g. “John Smith”)
- Search unique phrases from their messages
- Search profile details like college or employer
If their name or details show up indicating a scam, it confirms your suspicions. Lack of search results can also be a red flag that the person isn’t real.
Ask to Video Chat
Scammers will make excuses to avoid video chatting, since it’s harder to fake an identity face-to-face:
- Suggest a quick video call on Facebook Messenger.
- If they decline or avoid it, be very suspicious.
- Group video chats are even harder for scammers to fake.
While not foolproof, the willingness to video chat is a good indicator the person is real and authentic.
Look for Contradictions and Inconsistencies
Scammers have a hard time keeping their story straight. Look for red flags:
- Details about their job, family, location don’t add up.
- Age, birthday, or other personal info doesn’t line up.
- Major contradictions in stories they tell.
- Posts don’t match things they tell you privately.
Compare what they say, their profile details, and their posting history. Inconsistencies often betray scammers pretending to be someone they’re not.
Beware of Deflection When Asked for Details
See how they respond when you ask for specifics to back up their claims:
- Ask where they work and request the company website.
- Ask where they live and tell them to send a selfie from home.
- Request screenshots as evidence of things they claim.
Defensiveness, excuses, or changing the subject indicate they cannot back up their story and are likely running a scam.
Gauge How They React to Accusations
If you believe you are being scammed, directly confront them:
- Clearly state your concerns and say you think they are scamming people.
- Ask them to prove they are who they claim to be.
- Say you will report them if they don’t video chat with you immediately.
Non-defensive reactions arguing their case could mean they are innocent. Getting angry, blocking you, or disappearing is behavior scammers exhibit when exposed.
Report Suspicious Accounts and Messages
If you confirm someone is running a scam, report them to Facebook:
- Click the three dots next to their message.
- Select “Report” or use the report links on their profile.
- Choose option “Scam or Fraud.”
- Add any relevant details to help Facebook investigate.
Facebook disables millions of fake accounts daily, but they rely on user reports to catch scammers. Don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity.
Turn on Login Notifications
To detect scammers trying to access your account, turn on login notifications:
- Go to Settings > Security and Login.
- Toggle on “Get alerts about unrecognized logins.”
You’ll now get emails and notifications if someone logs into your account from an unknown device. This helps expose scammers trying to hijack your profile.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Strengthen your account security to protect against scammers:
- Create long, complex passwords that are hard to guess.
- Enable two-factor authentication for extra login protection.
- Don’t reuse passwords between sites in case one gets hacked.
Good password hygiene reduces the risk of your account being compromised and used for scams against your friends.
Be Cautious Accepting Friend Requests
Guard your network against scammers by being selective about friend requests:
- Thoroughly vet profiles before accepting requests.
- Decline requests from people you don’t know well.
- Remove contacts engaging in suspicious behavior.
Limiting your connections only to people you trust reduces the number of potential scammers in your social network.
Avoid Posting Personal Details Publicly
Be mindful of what you share publicly where scammers can see it:
- Don’t post your phone number, home address, or email.
- Keep birthdays, family info, and location details private or limited.
- Hide your friends list and photos from public viewing.
Locking down your privacy settings makes it harder for scammers to gather intel and target you in personalized scam attempts.
Don’t Accept Money from Strangers
If someone you don’t know well sends you money:
- Don’t accept the payment. Report it to Facebook instead.
- Watch for them to reverse the payment later and scam you.
- Similarly, don’t send strangers money yourself for dubious reasons.
Unexpected money from strangers is a common trick scammers use to lure trusting victims.
Learn to Recognize Facebook Security Badges
Facebook uses account security badges to help identify suspicious profiles:
- Grey badge = Unverified account. Use caution.
- Blue badge = Facebook confirmed account. More trustworthy.
- Red shield badge = Extra security protections enabled.
Double check badges before connecting with strangers so you can spot unverified accounts that may be scammers.
Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links
Scammers often send links to phishing sites or malware downloads:
- Don’t click links from people you don’t know.
- Hover over the link to preview the URL before clicking.
- Watch for typosquatting and misspelled domain names.
If a link seems shady, report it to Facebook instead of visiting it yourself where it can compromise your account or computer.
Turn on Facebook Purchase Protection
If you do buy or sell items on Facebook, enable purchase protection:
- Go to Settings > Commerce & Payments.
- Toggle on Purchase Protection for extra security.
This adds eligibility checks for buyers and sellers and help recovering lost payments if you get scammed.
Avoid Facebook Friends You Don’t Know
The easiest way to avoid scammers is to only use Facebook to connect with real friends and family:
- Don’t accept friend requests from strangers.
- Unfriend or block strangers contacting you.
- Report suspicious accounts to Facebook.
Stick to people you know in real life and you’ll avoid nearly all scammer accounts lurking on Facebook.
Use Caution in Facebook Groups
Scammers often target Facebook groups and Marketplace listings:
- Research group admins and rules before joining.
- Don’t publicly post personal or financial information.
- If selling, only accept cash and meet locally.
Following general safety precautions prevents you being singled out and scammed by group members.
Share Scam Warnings with Friends
Help protect your Facebook community:
- Comment on friends’ suspicious posts warning of scams.
- Report concerning accounts you see friends interacting with.
- Post scam alerts if you encounter new schemes.
Spreading scam awareness makes everyone more cautious and less likely to fall victim.
Conclusion
Scammers are an unfortunate reality on Facebook, but there are many ways to detect, avoid, and stop them. Be vigilant in watching for red flags, limit interactions with strangers, and strengthen your account security. Report any suspicious behavior and share scam alerts with friends. Staying skeptical, safeguarding your privacy, and only connecting with people you know goes a long way in protecting yourself on Facebook. With proper precautions, you can feel confident identifying and stopping scammers in their tracks.