02/21/2024
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – A REMINDER ON INTERNET SECURITY:
The term hacking is often used when a person feels their account has been jeopardized. It’s actually not hacking, because they didn’t use some kind of coding or algorithm to get into your account. It’s actually deception in a deliberate attempt to take over your account. Often they pretend to be a friend in need of help. You most likely know this person (in real life) or think you know this person and feel obliged to help them. Often, the person will say they need help to regain access to their account. Since you believe this is your friend, you agree to help them. They will say they lost your phone number, phone broke or whatever and ask for it again. By asking for your phone number, they will attempt to reset your account and ask you for the code that was sent to your phone. Sometimes they will do this using email if they strike out with the phone. When you give them the code they will reset your password and take control of your account.
“Sock puppet” is a term for an account that is pretending to be you. They create an online false identity and create the impression that they are you. They use your profile picture, family photos, reputation, etc. The goal for this type of account is to gain as many friends as possible by looking at your current friend list. They send out hundreds of friend requests. They build the account to make them appear trustworthy and reputable. Once they have enough friends for others to believe that they are you and legitimate, they are much likelier to have other's trust and persuade them.
The people that create these two scenarios are out for one thing… YOUR MONEY! They may post bogus stuff for sale on their page and often the deals are too good to be true. But because you think you know them and you have mutual friends, you believe you can trust them. You are even willing to send them money in advance without even talking to them in person or seeing the item. Other things are messages saying that they need help and after a seemingly long thoughtful conversation, they ask for money or if you’d be willing to purchase something. Some might be just promoting something way too good to be true and send you a link. Many links sent in this manner will send you to a bogus site asking you to sign in. Once you sign in on that site you are only seconds away from losing control of your account.
It’s extremely important to not send money without absolute verification. If you don’t have their phone number or they aren’t willing to provide it, it’s a scam. It’s also important to report these accounts to Facebook. Just look to the right of the profile and click on the three dots. Also, if someone sends you a friend request that seems fishy, it probably is, especially if you are already friends. Reaching out to friends using a good old phone is always highly encouraged. It’s probably been a long time you’ve talked in person and might make for good conversation. Be safe out there and pass it on.
