Fighting Facebook Fraud

November 9, 1:20 PMSF Fiftysomething Lifestyle ExaminerAmy Wachspress

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If you get a frantic message in the chat room on Facebook from your sister saying she is stranded in London, was mugged and had everything stolen, and needs you to wire her $4,000 ASAP, you need to remember that she is in Milwaukee, has two children in college and a big mortgage, and would be lucky if she could afford bus fare to Madison. Also remember that she usually speaks in complete sentences and has a basic grasp of English grammar. She has simply had her identity hacked by cybercriminals on Facebook. And it could happen to you. These con artists may try to get your friends or family to send them money by pretending they are you, stranded in London after a mugging.

Many people have been parted from their money because they were gullible enough (and big-hearted and worried) to believe the story. The con artists using this scam generally hack into Facebook chat rooms and approach people that way. Often they will use only a first name and hope they get lucky picking one that matches that of a close relative or friend. If someone co-opts your name, you first need to figure out if they just got lucky or if they have hacked into your Facebook account. If you have any questions about whether or not they might be into your account, contact Facebook immediately by going here. And here is the actual address (it’s important to keep this handy if you use Facebook because it is purportedly difficult to find at the Facebook website and there is no way to contact Facebook via phone): http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=account_compromised. Victims of any type of Facebook identity theft should fill out the report form at the website.

After you report the problem, Facebook will disable your account and your page. You will instantly disappear from Facebook (everywhere, wiped clean) until they can figure out what is going on and make sure your account is no longer compromised by cybercriminals. You will have to await further notice from the Facebook people and you will eventually need to reset your password. Visit the Facebook Security Resources Page by clicking here to find out more about how to prevent cybercriminals from victimizing you.

For more details about the “mugged in London” scam, how cybercriminals can take over your Facebook account, and what to do about it, go to this article to read a description of what happened to Bryan Rutberg.  And always remember to protect yourself and your friends from email hackers by sending group emails using the BCC feature. You don’t want to find yourself emailing everyone in your email address book, including friends, family, and business contacts, to let them know that you have potentially compromised their computers or that you are not stranded in London, but actually trapped in your own living room in Vallejo in cyber hell. P.S. Send money.