The GetUp Crew

Facebook scam aims to tug at the heart strings

Before You Share, 3 Ways To Tell If A Facebook Post Is A Scam. DO NOT CLICK SHARE! That is, unless you are absolutely sure the post you’re sharing is legit. You have probably seen an uptick lately in posts people are sharing that show lost and/or abused children or animals. In one specific case I’ve seen lately, people are sharing a picture of a lost urn containing ashes and the original poster is desperately looking for the urn’s owners. These posts are aimed to tug at the heart strings so people that have genuine empathy for others will share it. However, the intentions of the original poster are never good.

What happens is, once the post is shared hundreds and thousands of times, the original poster will edit the post and include something they’re either selling or that contains a link that prompts people to click. Once that link is clicked, it will infect your computer with malware and it will make you and your friends an easy target of giving up your personal information. A crafty scam that is getting bigger and bigger. But there are ways you can tell if a post is a scam. Here are the main tips to look for BEFORE you hit “share.”

  • You don't know who the original poster is

    If you don’t know who the original poster is, do your due diligence. LOOK AT THEIR PAGE. If their page ONLY INCLUDES POSTS LIKE THAT ONE, chances are it’s a scammer.

    Scammers continue to prey on emotions to get you to share spam - How to spot it

    That missing child post you shared is the work of a scammer, and soon the post will be used to lure your friends to spam links.

  • When comments have been disabled

    Look at the post. If comments have been disabled, chances are it’s a scam. The scammer disables the comments to people can’t write anything that will foil their plot.

    How to spot spam Facebook posts to avoid accidentally sharing scams

    Scammers are using stories of missing children, injured pets, and stolen trailers to trick people into sharing scams on Facebook.

  • When the post has comments disabled AND is posted in a community page ONLY

    These scam posts are mostly in town community pages. So be on the lookout and do your due diligence to check all of the information mentioned above. Is the original poster real? Meaning, does their page ONLY include those types of posts? Are the comments disabled? Etc.

    Scammers banking on you sharing that heartbreaking Facebook post

    Facebook scams, where someone asks you to share an often heartbreaking or attention-grabbing post, are on the rise. Here's what to look out for.

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