If you’ve recently been receiving text messages that appear to be from Facebook providing friend suggestions or saying you have notifications, you’re not alone. Many Facebook users have reported getting these types of unsolicited texts even if they have never provided their phone number to Facebook or have it set to not receive texts from Facebook.
What are these Facebook friend suggestion texts?
The texts typically say something like “Facebook Friend Suggestion: Jennifer, Christopher, and 17 other friends have sent you friend requests. See who wants to connect on Facebook.” Some variations may say you have notifications waiting or that a specific number of people sent you messages.
The goal is to get you to click on a link in the text, which likely leads to some sort of scam website or prompts you to provide personal information. The texts appear to come from a variety of different numbers and are not actually sent by Facebook.
Why am I getting the texts if I never gave Facebook my number?
You may be wondering how these scammers got your phone number and are able to text you if you never provided your number to Facebook. There are a few potential explanations:
- Your number was part of a data breach or sold on the dark web. Phone numbers are commonly included in website and database breaches.
- Your number is similar to someone else’s who did provide it to Facebook. Scammers may be texting similar numbers by tweaking digits.
- Your number was shared with Facebook by someone in your contacts list. Facebook may have obtained it to suggest friends with your contacts’ permission.
- A Facebook app or service you use collected your number. For example, if you use WhatsApp or provided your number for two-factor authentication.
Even if you’re certain you never gave Facebook your number, data breaches and contacts sharing information make it possible for scammers to obtain it.
Why do the texts mention friend suggestions and notifications?
The texts likely mention friend suggestions and notifications because these are common reasons someone may hear from Facebook. By making it seem like a message from a friend or something you should care about, the scammers hope you’ll be more inclined to click the link to find out more.
Of course, the friend suggestions or notifications don’t actually exist – the texts are not from Facebook at all. The scammers are just using Facebook’s name and features you’re familiar with to trick you.
Are the links in the texts safe to click?
No, you should never click on links in text messages that claim to be from Facebook but come from an unknown number. The links likely lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal information or install malware on your device. They may ask you to login to Facebook before taking you to a scammy website.
Facebook provides the following guidance on its website:
“If you get a text message claiming to be from Facebook that asks you to click a link or provide any personal information, it’s a scam. Don’t click any links and delete it immediately.”
How can I tell if a Facebook text is fake?
Here are some signs a Facebook text you receive is likely a scam:
- It comes from a number you don’t recognize rather than Facebook.
- It pressures you to click a link to view notifications or friend requests.
- There are typos, grammatical errors, or other obvious red flags.
- It asks you to provide or verify any personal information.
- The link uses a URL shortener like bit.ly instead of facebook.com.
Facebook provides additional tips for spotting fake texts here.
What should I do if I get a suspicious Facebook text?
If you receive a text claiming to be from Facebook that looks fishy, you should:
- Avoid clicking any links or providing personal information.
- Report the text as spam to your mobile carrier.
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to report it.
- Delete the text immediately.
- Watch for additional scam texts and consider blocking the sender’s number if possible.
Reporting and deleting the texts can help reduce the number you receive in the future. If you did accidentally click a link, you may want to run antivirus software on your device to check for any malware.
Does reporting the texts stop them?
Reporting scam Facebook texts to your carrier and to 7726 helps bring them to the attention of mobile carriers and authorities working to prevent scams and illegal spam texts. However, it doesn’t guarantee the texts will stop since scammers are constantly changing up their tactics and numbers.
Robokiller is an app you can use to automatically block and report potential spam texts. But the best form of protection is remaining vigilant against any text from an unknown sender and not clicking suspicious links.
Why can’t Facebook stop these texts?
While the texts mention Facebook and use its branding, they are not actually from Facebook or affiliated with the company in any way. Facebook does not have control over random texts sent by scammers spoofing its identity and using phone numbers obtained from various sources.
Facebook does have measures to detect and shut down phishing websites that the text links may lead to. But the texts themselves come from millions of possible phone numbers that change frequently and are difficult to predict or trace.
Can I stop Facebook from texting me?
Since these texts are not truly from Facebook, there is no way to prevent the random scammers sending them from obtaining your number and texting you while posing as Facebook.
However, you can stop any legitimate texts from Facebook by adjusting your notification settings:
- Go to your Facebook app Settings & Privacy menu
- Select Settings
- Go to the Mobile section
- Tap Text Messages
- Turn text notifications off or limit which types of texts Facebook can send you
Disabling Facebook’s texting ability won’t block the scam texts, but at least you won’t receive texts Facebook is actually sending.
Should I change my phone number?
Getting a new phone number probably won’t prevent you from receiving scam Facebook texts in the future. Since spammers get numbers from various sources, your new number will likely end up on their lists eventually as well.
It’s better to be vigilant about not clicking suspicious links and reporting scam texts when you get them. You can also have your number added to the FTC’s Do Not Call registry, but most illegal scammers ignore this.
Are the friend requests real?
No, any mentions of friend requests or notifications in these scam Facebook texts are completely fabricated. The texts are not actually from Facebook, so there are no real pending friend requests or notifications.
The scammers mention these just as a tactic to get you intrigued enough to click the link. If you do click, you could end up on a malicious site or be prompted for info but won’t actually see new friends or notifications. Ignore any text about Facebook activities from an unknown sender.
Could this affect my Facebook account?
The scam texts themselves likely won’t affect your actual Facebook account. Since they aren’t truly from Facebook, just ignoring or deleting them should not cause any issues.
However, if you click any links in the texts, you could potentially end up providing your login credentials or other personal info to a phishing site. This could allow scammers to gain access to your Facebook account as well as other accounts if you reuse passwords.
As long as you don’t click the links or provide any information, the texts should not compromise your accounts. But if you did click, you may want to change your Facebook password.
Is there a way to trace the scammers?
Tracing scam texts like these to their original source is challenging for a few reasons:
- The texts often come from a variety of constantly changing phone numbers.
- Many numbers are “spoofed” and don’t reflect their true origin.
- Scammers operate internationally and conceal their identities.
Authorities do work to track down scammers when possible, but it requires time and resources to digitally follow their trails that are typically covered well. Your best defense is avoiding falling for the texts in the first place.
Could the texts put malware on my phone?
The scam Facebook texts themselves cannot install malware just by receiving them. However, if you click any links within the texts, you may be redirected to phishing sites designed to infect your device with malware.
These sites may try to get you to download fake Facebook apps or enter your Facebook login, which could compromise your account. Others may attempt to get you to install programs with embedded viruses or Trojans.
As always, it’s safest to never click links in unsolicited texts from unknown senders. Stick to manually typing known websites into your browser when needed.
Are the texts illegal?
Yes, these types of phishing text scams are illegal. They violate anti-spam laws like:
- CAN-SPAM Act
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act
- Truth in Caller ID Act
Authorities like the FTC do crack down on scammers when able. But because many operate internationally, change numbers frequently, and hide behind complex technical tactics, they are difficult to stop completely.
What if I provided personal info?
If you unfortunately clicked a link in one of the scam texts and ended up providing any sensitive personal information like your Facebook login, financial details, or government ID numbers, take steps immediately to protect yourself:
- Change your Facebook password and security settings.
- Check your Facebook account and posts for any unusual activity.
- Run antivirus software to check for any potential malware on your device.
- Contact your bank and credit card companies if you provided financial information.
- Consider signing up for credit monitoring to look for suspicious activity.
- Keep an eye out for additional phishing attempts via text, email, or calls.
Taking quick action can help minimize any potential misuse of your information. In the future, remember to avoid clicking links in texts from unknown numbers.
How can I help stop these scams?
Here are a few ways you can help crack down on scam Facebook texts and similar phishing attempts:
- Report texts to your mobile carrier and to 7726.
- File complaints with the FTC and FCC to aid investigations.
- Warn friends and family to be aware of scams.
- Avoid clicking links or providing info to unknown senders.
- Use antispam apps and services to block numbers.
- Ask to have your number added to the National Do Not Call Registry.
The more these scams are reported and avoided, the less profitable and prevalent they will hopefully become over time.
Conclusion
Receiving texts out of the blue claiming to have Facebook notifications or friend suggestions can be alarming and confusing. But in most cases, these are phishing scams sent by attackers hoping to trick you into clicking malicious links or providing your Facebook login and other info.
Be wary of any texts from unknown numbers mentioning Facebook. Check for typos, strange links, and other red flags. Avoid clicking links or providing personal information. Instead, report the texts as spam and delete them.
With awareness and proper precautions, you can help ensure these pesky Facebook scams don’t compromise your account or personal information.