Due to a heavy workload the past couple of days, the Facebook scams post is a couple of days late. As a note, one of the scams list “My Funny Name – What does your name say about you”, seems to be popular at the moment. If you have fallen for that or any other Facebook scam please take action immediately to correct your FB page. Facecrooks lists (at the bottom of each scam post) how to “Deal with the scam”, if you have fallen for one of these scams. As always, Tech Geek and More would like to thank our friends over at (LINK) Facecrooks.com (http://facecrooks NULL.com/) for the following information. Here are the latest scams seen over the past week (and a little more) on Facebook.
(LINK) Coca Cola Giveaway ( 24 Pack Limited Offer ) – Fake Event (http://facecrooks NULL.com/Scam-Watch/coca-cola-giveaway-24-pack-limited-offer-fake-event NULL.html)
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to (a bogus) Facebook Event page. When you click on the link on the page, it redirects you to yet another fake Facebook event page. Here is where the shenanigans come into play. You are required to join the event, and invite your friends – notice the more people you invite the more Coke you get. Obviously a ploy by the scammer to dupe as many people as possible. Clicking on the cocacolagiveaway[dot]com link loads the traditional survey scam. There is no Coke at the end of this road, and you have given full access to your Facebook page to someone you don’t know.
(LINK) My Funny Name – What Does your Name Say About You.. Facebook Scam (http://facecrooks NULL.com/Scam-Watch/my-funny-name-what-does-your-name-say-about-you-facebook-scam NULL.html)
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to the Request for Permission page. Clicking “Allow” will give the permissions and access to your Facebook page to the scammer. The application will be able to post to Facebook as you. This will allow them to spam their scam messages to all of your friends. This particular application is called “The Name”, but scams like this are known to use multiple Facebook apps.
The big question is, Do you really want to let an unknown developer have this much access to your Facebook information?
If you were to continue on with the installation, you will get redirected to another survey scam.
(LINK) [video] – Whitney Houstons autopsy reveals a shocking secret that explains her death – Facebook Scam (http://facecrooks NULL.com/Scam-Watch/video-whitney-houstons-autopsy-reveals-a-shocking-secret-that-explains-her-death-facebook-scam NULL.html)
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to a page that still looks like Facebook, but if you look at the address bar, you can see that it isn’t. The scammers are hoping to trick unsuspecting users in to downloading a rogue browser plugin. As with all Facebook applications, only install plugins / browser extensions from trusted sources. You don’t need a YouTube player to see videos. This is a totally bogus ruse to trick people into downloading a potentially malicious download. Installing a plugin like this leaves your system totally vulnerable to the developer. Similar scams have been known to pack malware and viruses. Installing the plugin is definitely not worth the risk to your system. We decided to stop here and advise you to do the same.
(LINK) WOW!! My Name Talks A Lot!! Click below to find out about yours..Facebook Scam (http://facecrooks NULL.com/Scam-Watch/wow-my-name-talks-a-lot-click-below-to-find-out-about-yours-facebook-scam NULL.html)
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to the Request for permissions Facebook page, asking you to allow the app to post and have access to your FB page. Clicking “Allow” will give the permissions shown to the scammer. The application will be able to post to Facebook as you. This will allow them to spam their scam messages to all of your friends. Do you really want to let an unknown developer have this much access to your Facebook information? This particular application is called “Are You Ready?”, but scams like this are known to use multiple Facebook apps. Just the fact that the application name has nothing to do with the stated purpose should be a big red flag!Anytime you install a third party Facebook application, you give the application developer access to your personal data. Always be very selective on the apps you install, and only install them from well-known, trusted sources. Continuing on with the installation redirects you to another one of the survey scam pages.
(LINK) $1000 Visa Gift Card | Welcome – Facebook Scam (http://facecrooks NULL.com/Scam-Watch/1000-visa-gift-card-welcome-facebook-scam NULL.html)
Why it’s a Scam:
Clicking the wall post link takes you to a Facebook page that appears to be by/for Visa. When you “Click Here” on that page, you are taken to another landing page asking you if you use a Visa card. Reading the fine print (on that page) reveals that you have to complete a total of 13 ‘Reward Offer.’ Chances are, after you have completed the offers it isn’t going to be worth the Gift Card, assuming that part of the promotion isn’t a scam. Also keep in mind the scammers are acquiring a treasure trove of your personal data. You will be required to provide your name, address, phone numbers and date of birth. This will enable the shady marketers to not only spam your Facebook account, but also harass you via snail mail, phone calls and text messages. **Note – Scams like this often use multiple domains, so you may see a variation in the landing pages and scam messages.
All of the information above comes courtesy of the TGM friends over at (LINK) Facecrooks (http://facecrooks NULL.com/). Click on any of the links above to see complete information (including screenshots) and details about these scams and hoaxes, and how to deal with them if you have fallen for them.
Finally, If you or your Facebook friends are falling for tricks like the ones listed, it’s time to get yourself informed of the latest threats. You can do that by staying updated with sites like Facecrooks and Tech Geek and More. Threats likes the ones listed above don’t just spread false information, many of these scams also open your pc up to infections, and risk having your online information compromised.
For those older that 35, there was a time when you actually needed to pick up a phone to find out who was on the line. There was a time when Caller ID did NOT exist. These days, there isn’t a person out there who doesn’t use Caller ID on a daily basis, to see if it’s a call their waiting for, to see if its family or friends, to see if it’s a bill collector (yep that happens as well). However with the advancement in technology, we also have easier and cheaper ways to “fool” technology, and unfortunately the bad guys have found a way to try to use technology against you.
