With 93% of businesses active on Facebook, is it any surprise that the scammers are there, too? When fraudsters leverage Facebook business page scams, they can lock you out of your account or even tarnish your company’s hard-earned reputation. Safeguarding your Facebook business page is critical.
Protect your account from the most common Facebook business page phishing scams
New ways to exploit businesses using Facebook’s platform pop up all the time. Scammers often impersonate Facebook by sending messages or emails claiming your page has violated copyright rules. These messages typically warn that your account will be suspended unless you take immediate action, and then the scammer provides a link that directs you to a fake login page.
The catch? They capture your Facebook credentials when you attempt to log in.
Hackers also often send direct messages or comment on posts pretending to be Facebook support staff or concerned users claiming your page is compromised or at risk of being deactivated unless you click a link to resolve the issue. It’s a different tactic but the same result. These links redirect you to malicious websites that harvest your login information.
Are you trying to obtain verification? If so, don’t be surprised when you receive messages offering help. The scammers promise verification, but their assistance comes with a request for your login details or payment to process your application. This scam leaves your account vulnerable or steals your funds.
Some hackers target your team structure by tricking business page admins into adding them as collaborators or editors. Once granted access, the scammer can lock out legitimate users and take full control of your page.
Another common ploy involves scammers offering discounted Facebook ad credits. Of course, these offers require payment upfront or access to your ad account credentials, which puts your account and money at risk.
Additionally, watch out for posts or pages encouraging you to click on links to claim rewards or exclusive deals. These links bypass Facebook altogether and lead you to phishing sites or malicious downloads that compromise your system.
How to spot scams on Facebook, Meta, and Messenger
If you know the telltale signs, you can start to spot fraudulent activities. Poor grammar is the first thing to look for. Also, be on your guard if you receive a message that opens with a greeting like “Dear User.”
Suspicious messages often claim your account is at risk because scammers want to rush you into action. Phrases like “Click this link NOW to avoid account suspension!” are designed to trigger panic.
Before you click, inspect any link that comes your way by hovering over the link to reveal its address, which lets you verify that it leads to the official Facebook domain. Fraudulent links may look similar at a glance, but they often contain extra characters or misspellings.
If someone asks you to grant them admin, editor, or advertiser privileges for your Facebook business page, make sure you know who they are. Take time to verify the identity of anyone making this request.
Don’t always trust profiles claiming to be from Facebook Support. Since Facebook does not privately message pages regarding issues, you should always rely on notifications found directly in your account or email messages from the official Facebook domain.
Scammers tend to bait the hook well. Promises of free advertising credits or faster verification are often the lure to reel you in. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
How to report scams on Facebook and Messenger
When you come across scammers targeting your Facebook business page, reporting them helps protect you and other users. If someone is impersonating Facebook staff or sending messages with malicious intent, visit the scammer’s profile or page and click the three-dot menu (…) on their profile. Next, select “Find Support or Report Profile.” After this, you’ll need to choose the most appropriate reason behind your suspicions, such as “Fake Account” or “Scams and Fraud.”
If you suspect fraud from a message coming from Messenger, the process is similar. First, open the conversation in Messenger and click the three-dot menu. Then, select “Report,” and choose the reason that matches your situation.
To report a post containing a malicious link, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the post and select “Find Support or Report Post.” As before, follow the prompts to identify the nature of the scam.
You can also contact Facebook security directly. Come prepared with screenshots and URLs associated with the fraud.
As soon as you have reason to believe that hackers have accessed your account, go to Facebook’s security settings to change your password and enable two-factor authentication. Then, under “Authorized Logins,” review devices that are logged in to your account and remove any that you don’t know.
Protect your Facebook account: Proactive prevention tips
Take a few simple steps to make your account less vulnerable to hackers. Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords like “123456” or “password.” Passwords should include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. To make your password even more secure, require a secondary verification method, such as a text message or authentication app.
Review your business page roles and permissions at least monthly and remove unused or suspicious collaborations. Educate your administrators and editors about common scams and encourage them to verify all suspicious communications.
Facebook’s popularity makes it great for businesses, but that accessibility also makes it prone to exploitation. Be proactive and cautious. When in doubt, don’t click.
