'Tis the Season for Scammers!
A Friendly Warning from Your Friendly Web Designer:
Hey Everyone,
Hope this post finds you well and in good spirits this festive season!
I wanted to create a quick post about an uptick in online scams that tend to surface during this time of the year. Scammers are like the Grinches of the internet, and they’re out to steal more than just your presents!
One common trick they use is sending notifications that your Facebook page is about to be suspended. It’s easy to panic when you see such messages, but fear not – here’s a quick guide on how to check if a URL is the real deal:
- Hover Over the Link: Before clicking on any link, hover your mouse over it. This will reveal the actual URL. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the official Facebook domain, be wary.
- Check for HTTPS: Legitimate websites use secure connections. Make sure the URL starts with “https://” rather than just “http://”. The “s” indicates a secure connection.
- Look for Typos: Scammers often create URLs with slight misspellings or alterations of legitimate domain names. Double-check for any unusual characters or misspelled words.
- Examine the Domain: Ensure that the domain is consistent with the official Facebook domain. Scammers may use domains that closely resemble the real one but have slight variations.
- Verify SSL Certificate: Click on the padlock icon in the address bar to view the site’s SSL certificate. This should match the legitimate domain.
- Use Facebook Directly: When in doubt, go directly to Facebook by typing the official URL (https://www.facebook.com/) into your browser. Avoid clicking on links in suspicious messages.
Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to reach out to me or another tech-savvy friend for advice. If in doubt don’t click!
Wishing you a scam-free and joyous holiday season!
Cheers,
Bob
Wayward Computers
A screen shot of an actual scam message.
Here’s another scammer.
By the way both links have been disabled. But, at the time they led to websites that looked just like Facebook’s.
