Social networking fraud handout june 2011
- 1. Simple Safeguards: Presented by Retired FBI Special Agent Preventing Social Media Fraud Jeff Lanza Keep your guard up on sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Scammers are exploiting the trust we have of our connections on these sites to gain access to your accounts and commit fraud. Current Threats Specific Actions to Avoid Fake Notification E-mails 1. Don’t click on a message that seems Look out for fake emails that look like they came from weird. If it seems unusual for a friend to Facebook. These typically include links to phony pages that write on your Wall and post a link, that attempt to steal your login information or prompt you to friend may have gotten phished. download malware. Never click on links in suspicious 2. Don’t enter your password through a emails. Log-in to a site directly. link. Just because a page on the Internet looks like Facebook, it doesn't mean it is. Suspicious Posts and Messages It is best to go the Facebook log-in page Wall posts or messages that appear to come from a friend through your browser. asking you to click on a link to check out a new photo or 3. Don't use the same password on video that doesn't actually exist. The link is typically for a Facebook that you use in other places phony login page or a site that will put a virus on your on the web. If you do this, phishers or computer to steal your passwords. hackers who gain access to one of your Money Transfer Scams accounts will easily be able to access Messages that appear to come from friends or others your others as well, including your bank. claiming to be stranded and asking for money. These 4. Don’t share your password with messages are typically from scammers. Ask them a anyone. Social sites will never ask for question that only they would be able to answer. Or your password through any form of contact the person by phone to verify the situation, communication. even if they say not to call them. 5. Don't click on links or open attachments in suspicious emails. Fake emails can be very convincing, and General Online Safety Rules hackers can spoof the "From:" address so Be wary of strangers - The internet makes it easy for the email looks like it's from a social site. people to misrepresent their identities and motives. If If the e-mail looks weird, don't trust it, you interact with strangers, be cautious about the and delete it from your inbox. amount of information you reveal or agreeing to meet them in person. 6. Don’t send money anywhere unless Be skeptical - People may post false or misleading you have verified the story of someone information about various topics, including their own. Try who says they are your friend or relative. to verify the authenticity of any information before taking 7. Don’t provide your cell phone number any action. to verify the results of a Facebook Evaluate your settings - Use privacy settings. The default settings for some sites may allow anyone to see game or survey without reading the your profile. Even private information could be exposed, terms and conditions. It may result in so don't post anything that you wouldn't want the public recurring charges on your cell phone bill. to see. Use strong passwords - Protect your account with More resource Information: passwords that cannot easily be guessed. If your password is compromised, someone else may be able to www.us-cert.gov or www.fbi.gov access your account and pretend to be you. Speaker Information: Security Information For Social Networking Sites Jeff Lanza www.facebook.com/security Phone: 816-853-3929 www.twitip.com/twitter-security-dos-and-donts Email:jefflanza@thelanzagroup.com www.linkedin.com/secure/settings Web Site: www.thelanzagroup.com