Common Facebook Scams You Need to Know About

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As the tree of Facebook is growing exponentially and making the world even smaller, it is also getting crowded with scrupulous hoaxes and scams. For an unaware user, it is difficult to tell these hoaxes from genuine Facebook posts or status updates. In this blog post we have outlined some of the most common scam and hoax posts that have been and are doing the rounds on the social network. If you come across any of these, be sure to delete them and advise your friends to do the same and avoid spreading them further.

#1. Shocking Video Posts
Just recently I came across a Facebook post that claimed to show a ‘shocking video’ of the biggest snake in the world. The post had a teaser image of a giant snake and a man, as you can see in the image below. Not only is the image a bad example of Photoshop, but the entire thing is a hoax designed to scam curious users. Clicking the video will take the user to a third party website (that may look like Facebook) and ask them to share the link publicly or complete a fake online survey before they can see the video. Even if the user does all that, they will never get to see the video, because there isn’t any.

facebook_scam

#2. Your Favorite Celebrity Just Died Posts
If online scammers had their way, then all celebrities would have vanished from the face of the earth. Back in the month of August 2013, a hoax video on how Eminem got stabbed, went viral on Facebook. And just recently, Rihanna became a victim of fake celebrity death reports. Even these videos work in the same fashion as the ‘Shocking video’ scams.

facebook_scam2

#3. Fake Facebook App Scams
Orkut, the long-lost social media hero, allows its users to know who all visited their profile. Imagine the hoo-ha if such a feature comes into Facebook. The ‘Know Who Visited Your Profile App’ or ‘Facebook Profile Viewer App’ claims to do the same thing for Facebook users. Installing such apps will only drop a nasty malware on your system, and let attackers steal your profile information.

facebook_scam3_profileviewer

#4. Free! Free! Free!
Free giveaways are a classic example of social media scams that have stuck to Facebook like a bad stain. The word ‘Free’ is good enough to grab just anyone’s attention. And this is what scammers capitalize on. In exchange of some information (personal and otherwise) or downloading a software, the user will be eligible for the free goodies.

facebook_scam3_free_gift_card

#5. Fake Virus Warning Posts
When the element of terror drops onto social networking sites such as Facebook, there is but fire all over the place! And one classic example of this are fake virus warnings. Most users take such warnings for real and share them with others, and end up promoting the scammer’s cause.

 facebook_scam4_fake_virus_warning

#6. Facebook Account Disabled Scam
This is a phishing scam that targets Facebook users. One fine day you might receive an email suggesting you to authenticate yourself by logging into Facebook. It will also contain a link which will take you to the company’s login page. The page might look exactly similar to the real Facebook page. And if you go a step further and put in your login information, you are actually handing it over to the hacker who crafted this page.

facebook_scam5_phishing

Social media platforms were created to bring people closer.  There is nothing social about spreading unconfirmed news, viral posts, and scams. So, whenever you come across any shocking, terrifying, or unusual posts, confirm the same from other sources before you hit the ‘Like’ or ‘Share’ button. Stay safe!

References:
www.hoax-slayer.com
www.digitaltrends.com
www.usatoday.com

Rajiv Singha

Rajiv Singha

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  1. Avatar ashutosh kumar • January 20, 2014 at 3:42 PM

    thank

    Reply
  2. Avatar Praveen • January 20, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Thanks , you message is highly appreciated

    Reply
  3. Avatar Pradip Chowdhury • January 20, 2014 at 4:40 PM

    Thank you for alerting me on Facebook scams.

    Reply
  4. Avatar Faisal • January 20, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    Thanks! I knew many fb apps that claim to tell us our profile visitors.

    Many friends of mine use them. I warned them many times, but they don’t believe me…

    Reply
  5. Avatar C.S. MADHURANATH • January 20, 2014 at 8:02 PM

    You have given a timely warning. Now the ball is in our court.

    Reply
  6. Avatar Andrew A. W. Smith, Sr. • January 20, 2014 at 8:37 PM

    Thank you again for your quality time about the scams. I really believe that social media was crafted originally from an old term in the Holy Scriptures known as “talebearing”. In other words, every friend has a friend. Don’t share information with others unless they are a part of the problem and/or part of the solution.

    Keep The Faith & Keep Up The Good Work!

    Reply
    • Avatar Andrew A. W. Smith, Sr. • January 21, 2014 at 12:51 AM

      Leviticus 19:16
      You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
      Leviticus 19:15-17 (in Context) Leviticus 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
      Proverbs 11:13
      A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
      Proverbs 11:12-14 (in Context) Proverbs 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
      Proverbs 18:8
      The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
      Proverbs 18:7-9 (in Context) Proverbs 18 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
      Proverbs 20:19
      He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
      Proverbs 20:18-20 (in Context) Proverbs 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
      Proverbs 26:20
      Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
      Proverbs 26:19-21 (in Context) Proverbs 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

      Reply
  7. Avatar gurmukh • January 20, 2014 at 8:47 PM

    Im new facebook user , this info. Is very helpful thank u

    Reply
  8. Avatar RAJENDRA KANPHADE • January 20, 2014 at 9:42 PM

    How to ensure that,this post is not a scam?

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 21, 2014 at 10:04 AM

      Hello RAJENDRA,

      Could you elaborate on your question so that we can serve you with an appropriate reply?

      Regards,

      Reply
  9. Avatar Sudeep • January 20, 2014 at 10:15 PM

    This site is very addictive. I never liked this site. All my friends had stopped meeting personally Even my relatives have stopped calling they will just put hi in the comments on FB.

    So much for social networking.

    Reply
  10. Avatar Anbazhagan • January 20, 2014 at 10:47 PM

    Thanks for the info

    Reply
  11. Avatar Jitendra Waskel • January 20, 2014 at 11:16 PM

    Thank you for alerting us on Facebook scams . . .

    Reply
  12. Avatar ashutosh • January 20, 2014 at 11:17 PM

    thanx for alerting….this gonna help for safe browsing..

    Reply
  13. Avatar Haroon Efroze • January 21, 2014 at 3:35 AM

    The face book users on social network should always remain alert and vigil against face book scams and fake inputs comprising hoax alerts of all sorts.

    Haroon Efroze(M.A.,M D R T)

    Reply
  14. Avatar Maqsood godil • January 21, 2014 at 5:21 AM

    Keep it up

    Reply
  15. Avatar Vijay Chandavale • January 21, 2014 at 8:38 AM

    A very nice informative article . It should be widely circulated to know all those using facebook frequently

    Reply
  16. Avatar Abhinay Kumar • January 21, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    Thanks for alerting me and it is very useful for user.

    Reply
  17. Avatar Karthik • January 21, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Thanks…

    Reply
  18. Avatar Subhankar Ray • January 21, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    Thank you.

    Reply
  19. Avatar ravi • January 21, 2014 at 10:07 AM

    Thank you for alerting me on Facebook scams.

    Reply
  20. Avatar chitta • January 21, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    thanks for information.

    Reply
  21. Avatar Kainaaz • January 21, 2014 at 10:51 AM

    This is in regard to the ‘Facebook Account Disabled Scam’. What i’d like to know is how do we know we have been directed to a third party page that looks exactly like Facebook but actually isn’t? Is there any way to determine that the page isn’t actually the real one? Would really appreciate tips in regard to determining that.

    Also, when we encounter such a page telling us the FB account has been disabled how do we get back to the real FB page. This is indeed scary for a person like me who isn’t very comp tech savvy.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 21, 2014 at 1:32 PM

      Hi Kainaaz,

      Fake Facebook pages can be nearly identical to the real one, and telling the two apart can be difficult. However, there are some measures that you can follow so that you do not land on a fake webpage and give away your login details:

      1. Never access any website from a link embedded in emails, especially those coming from unwanted or unknown sources.
      2. Always verify the URL of the website before you access it. In case of Facebook, it is https://www.facebook.com/ [Take note of the ‘https’. It signifies a secure connection]
      3. Never use the same password from different online accounts.
      4. Ensure that your antivirus software offers phishing protection.

      Regards,

      Reply
      • Avatar Kainaaz • January 21, 2014 at 4:25 PM

        Hi again,

        Rajib, thanks a ton. I always use the secure ‘https’ connection for FB. As for verifying the account on a 3rd party phishing scam, i was once directed to the ‘disabled page’.. I shut down the browser. Restarted the comp n the next time i tried logging in at FB i went to the login page as i usually do. I also am not in the habit of clicking on links.. In fact im paranoid about doing that n i am a QH user hence i think the ‘phishing protection’ on my comp is enabled by the QH tech. I guess im doing everything right, at least until now.

        Once again, thanks a ton for taking the time to reply. God bless!

        Kainaaz

        Reply
      • Avatar Vishal • January 22, 2014 at 10:22 AM

        Thanks for your help.

        Reply
  22. Avatar Rahul • January 21, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    HOW to identify weather its a fake post or malware post?

    Reply
  23. Avatar SURANJAN SHAH • January 21, 2014 at 11:38 AM

    Thanks for keeping me informed and updated. I appreciate it. Please keep this good work in progress.

    Reply
  24. Avatar Avinash Kumar • January 21, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    Thank you very much…….. Facebook

    Reply
  25. Avatar Deep • January 21, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    Thanks many because I have come accrossed one

    Reply
  26. Avatar Manoj K R • January 21, 2014 at 12:32 PM

    Thank you for the useful information…

    Reply
  27. Avatar s a satale • January 21, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    THAnks a lot

    Reply
  28. Avatar Harshal • January 21, 2014 at 2:43 PM

    Hallo Sir….!

    This is very important for us. How to use or access social media safely.

    Thank You For Sharing This valuable information.

    Reply
  29. Avatar Ashok • January 21, 2014 at 2:49 PM

    good information

    Reply
  30. Avatar Dhruvee • January 21, 2014 at 2:54 PM

    Its really gonna help us! Thankyou soo much!

    Reply
  31. Avatar Vanita Samat • January 21, 2014 at 3:08 PM

    Thanks Rajib.There was another video about the ambani car crash posted on fb.Are you aware about that? My friend said she had not posted it and when i clicked on it there were some details to b filled in before u could see it so i quit.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 21, 2014 at 5:00 PM

      Hi Vanita,

      What you have mentioned, is one of the classic examples of Facebook video scams. We appreciate your effort in bringing it to our notice and other readers.

      Regards,

      Reply
  32. Avatar Arghya Patra • January 21, 2014 at 3:11 PM

    Thanks a lot to quikheal india pvt ltd. india’s no.1 security solution

    Reply
  33. Avatar Chandu • January 21, 2014 at 3:18 PM

    good.. thanks for your feed back

    Reply
  34. Avatar Chandu • January 21, 2014 at 3:19 PM

    Thanks for your valuable feedback..

    Reply
  35. Avatar Asmarina • January 21, 2014 at 5:07 PM

    The telephone scams on the rise too! and more dangerous than facebook scams, because of the identity theft. People should not trust and share information with companies they don’t require. Good post!

    Reply
  36. Avatar PREM KUMAR • January 21, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    THANKS

    Reply
  37. Avatar Vivek Atale • January 21, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    Thanks Really Helpful

    Reply
  38. Avatar shambhu kumar • January 21, 2014 at 5:34 PM

    thanx alot 4 this valuable information

    Reply
  39. Avatar ravi • January 21, 2014 at 6:01 PM

    thank you..

    Reply
  40. Avatar Dev Kumar • January 21, 2014 at 7:35 PM

    Thanks The Guardian Security Team for making me alert. This will help me.

    Reply
  41. Avatar S.B.Khairwal. • January 21, 2014 at 8:29 PM

    Thanks

    Reply
  42. Avatar Imran Khan • January 21, 2014 at 9:40 PM

    thanks quick heal anti virus team…..all facebook user should obey to quick heal and get relief from hackers & to be from hacked……thanks a lot quick heal & it’s team…..

    Reply
  43. Avatar bishwanath • January 21, 2014 at 11:07 PM

    there r lots of account where person posts lots of porn pics but facebook never take any action against them while i have warn them so many times

    Reply
  44. Avatar Gurdev Singh • January 22, 2014 at 8:14 AM

    Thanx for ur information. And can u Plz tell that I have seen a post on FB that “click on the image
    And type 3 or 4 or whatever and see the magic. ” is this scam too.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 22, 2014 at 10:41 AM

      Hi Gurdev,

      Yes, even posts like these are are a kind of scam that is spreading on social networks. It is one of the ways scammers try to fool users to spread their scams to other users.

      Regards,

      Reply
  45. Avatar sr kiran • January 22, 2014 at 8:45 AM

    DEAR SIR

    Really good news from quickheal.com

    keep up the good work.
    Thanx a lot

    kiran

    Reply
  46. Avatar shirish kale • January 22, 2014 at 10:00 AM

    Because many people are in search of exiting information these things happen. I personally feel that the best way to avoid such things is do not accept any friendship of people not at all known to you and also do not open mails information from unknown sites and people

    Reply
  47. Avatar SHEKHAR SAMUEL. • January 22, 2014 at 10:09 AM

    THANKS FOR THE VALUABLE INFORMATION.

    Reply
  48. Avatar Ashish Mishra • January 22, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    An interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  49. Avatar dharmender gehlot • January 22, 2014 at 1:49 PM

    very very nice this quick heal anti virus . me like this anti virus.thanks anti virus

    Reply
  50. Avatar AMBRISH K • January 22, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    THANKS

    Reply
  51. Avatar ishwar • January 22, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    thanks but try to write in easy language.

    Reply
  52. Avatar Indrajit Chakraborty • January 22, 2014 at 3:00 PM

    thanks..

    Reply
  53. Avatar GURURAJ • January 22, 2014 at 4:26 PM

    Thanks for great information,

    Reply
  54. Avatar Sakib khan • January 22, 2014 at 6:15 PM

    thanks

    Reply
  55. Avatar Ramchandar kumawat • January 22, 2014 at 9:01 PM

    Sir,
    I highly appreciate your efforts but i request you to post such type of articles in hindi also…because by doing so many people will be able to get it’s benefit.

    Thanks

    Regards

    Reply
  56. Avatar PAWAN KUMAR SWARUP • January 22, 2014 at 10:41 PM

    THANKS….FOR OUR KIND INFORMATION

    Reply
  57. Avatar Deepak • January 23, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Thanks.

    Reply
  58. Avatar JAYANTI SHAH • January 23, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    I am very thankful to you, I was the victim of that, someone has changed my profile, showing my 1st employer is Gati software. How we can remove this kind of apps or Link. I changed my profile & PW as well. How can I remove page, post. My computer is protected with QH, But How can we protected our Facebook a/c from hackers. QH software on my computer can help me to protect. I am using QH at all my concerned computers.

    Reply
  59. Avatar RUHI SHARMA • January 23, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    Thanks for this precious advice. i want to ask u thak when we are reaing some text and it says, “click to continue reading” and then we are directed to another page that is not even related to that post. is this a scam too???

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 24, 2014 at 12:12 PM

      Hi Ruhi,

      As you have mentioned here, if the link is redirecting you to a page that is not related to the main content, then treat such posts with suspicion. We would advise you to search for the main content on Google, and verify if it is a genuine news, story, etc.

      Regards,

      Reply
  60. Avatar RUHI SHARMA • January 23, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    sometimes people use to post like “Get free recharge of RS 300 or whatever money it says” is this a scam too??

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 24, 2014 at 12:08 PM

      Hi Ruhi,

      It is safe to consider Facebook posts such as these as scams. This is because, most of these posts ask you to visit a site and enter your details (phone number, email address and name). Such requests are usually seen in phishing attacks. We would advise you not to entertain such posts nor share it with your friends.

      Regards,

      Reply
  61. Avatar Alka • January 30, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    Good one Rajib.

    Reply
  62. Avatar Rajveer kumar Sharma • April 29, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    Very good
    gteat

    Reply
  63. Avatar Rajveer kumar Sharma • April 29, 2014 at 7:41 PM

    QHMS very nice

    Reply
  64. Avatar Naina • April 30, 2014 at 12:12 PM

    Few days ago I got a request from my friend on fb to play a game to see who all viewed my profile.I opened the game and it asked me to fill a survey form.Though I didn’t fill the survey form but it asked for the permission to download a software in my computer.I downloaded it .While running its setup I thought something was fishy and cancelled the setup.I also removed that software from downloads.But today I read your article about such scams.I am worried now.Will it harm my computer also in some way?Is my personal info. also gone ? Plz help.I have no idea what to do.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • May 3, 2014 at 5:52 PM

      Hi Naina,

      You did the right thing by cancelling the download, and probably the file was not installed. But to be on a safer side, update your antivirus software and run a complete scan on your computer.

      Regards,

      Reply
  65. Avatar siddharth • May 1, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    When I use some online shopping sites, a new tab opens and asks for a survey in which 5 questions are asked like your favourite colour etc. After that it says that you have won the contest and we can get an iphone5 or samsung s4 for just rupees 600. Is this also a scam?

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • May 3, 2014 at 5:45 PM

      Hi Siddharth,

      Yes, such surveys are one of the many kinds of online scams. Please do not respond to such advertisements.

      Regards,

      Reply
  66. Avatar Chanolian Satheendran • April 20, 2015 at 5:23 PM

    Thanks for the information published. It was very useful to understand the threat one can face while logging to Face Book.

    Reply

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