The Better Business Bureau is warning of a social media scam making rounds where people receive a Facebook message with a video link asking, “Is this you”
The message reads something like, “Hey (your name), what are you doing in this video lol! Search ur name and skip to 1:53 on video. Type in browser with no spaces -> (then they give you a web address).”
The way the message is written makes it sound like they’re surprised to see you doing whatever you’re doing in that fake video.
If you receive such a message, don’t click the link. Delete the message and make sure your firewall and anti-virus software are up-to-date.
The message usually comes from someone you know and trust, one of your friends and family members. The message expresses they were surprised to have seen you in a video and contains a web address that’s supposed to lead you to it. You’re not in the video. Don’t follow the link.
The scam, BBB says, is an attempt to steal you passwords, bank account numbers or other sensitive information, or there may be an attempt to download malware onto your computer.
Here’s how a typical phishing attack works:
- You receive a message that looks like it comes from a trustworthy source. It might look like it comes from a co-worker or a family member, or appear to be from your financial institution. You pay attention because you recognize the sender.
- The message urges you to type in a website address or click a link. When you do, you go to a clone of a legitimate website. In this Facebook phishing scam, you might think you’re on a Facebook login page when you’re actually on a page designed to capture what you enter.
- You type in the information it asks for, and that data is stolen. There are multiple versions of many phishing attempts, and some may also prompt you to download something that infects your computer.
In many situations, your computer or social media account is used to send the phishing attempt back out to everyone on your contact list, this time using your name and image as “bait.”
Phishing attempts frequently imitate large banks, credit card companies, major online sellers, news agencies and common cell phone providers because it works. People assume communication from a nationwide bank chain or credit card company must be secure and important, so they’re more willing to trust.
If you receive the message from a friend, let them know their account has possibly been compromised. If you’ve already taken the bait, report the scammers to Facebook and let your friends and family know what happened to you. Then, change your login credentials.
If you use the same username and password on other accounts, change those too. Also, use antivirus software to check and see if your computer has been infected with malware.
