AN OFFICIAL Facebook warning reveals how a dangerous email can steal your money – and how to avoid it.
Billions of people around the world use Facebook, so its users are a prime target for crooks.
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Cybercriminals will target users in lots of different ways, so you always need to be on high alert.
A common tactic is for crooks to pose as Facebook over email, but there are clever tricks you can use to stay safe.
“Scammers target people to trick them into giving away money or sensitive information,” Facebook warned in an official memo.
“Think of emails that offer a quick-and-easy investment scheme or an urgent text message from someone claiming to be a friend in need.
“Or a phishing email claiming to come from Meta to alert you of issues with your account and asking you to immediately click on a link to learn more.
“Note: If you get a suspicious email or message claiming to be from Facebook, don’t click any links or attachments.”
Thankfully there’s an easy way to stay safe.
Facebook has a special app feature that shows you all of the recent emails you’ve been sent.
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That way you can cross-check the official Facebook list with your email inbox.
And you’ll be able to root out any criminal messages.
Just go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login, then scroll down to See Recent Emails From Facebook – and then click View.
Facebook also recommended following three “simple rules”.
“Slow down: Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency or threaten you with losing your account or other action,” Facebook said.
“Take the time to ask questions and think it through.”
Facebook’s second tip reads: “Spot check: Scammers often mention a problem to encourage you to act.
“Do your research and double-check the details before clicking links or downloading files. Does what they’re telling you make sense?”
And the third tip: “Don’t send: Scammers often pretend to be from a familiar organisation.
“They may use an employee photo that they stole from the Internet to convince you.
“No reputable organisation will demand payment on the spot.”
