Common signs of a scam

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Scams come in many different forms, and they can be difficult to spot. However, there are several common signs of a scam that you can look out for to protect yourself.

1. Unsolicited Messages: Scammers often initiate contact through unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages. Be wary of messages or calls that you are not expecting, especially if they ask for personal information or money.

2. Too Good To Be True: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers may offer you a quick way to make money or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but these are often designed to trick you into parting with your money or personal information.

3. Urgency: Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency or panic to get you to act quickly. They may claim that there is a problem with your account or that you need to respond immediately to avoid negative consequences.

4. Requests For Money or Personal Information: Scammers may ask for your credit card information, bank account details, or other personal information. They may also ask for money, either as a donation, a payment for a service, or to cover unexpected expenses.

5. Suspicious Requests: Be wary of requests for personal information or money that are unusual or unexpected. For example, if a friend asks you to wire money to them right away, it could be a sign that their account has been hacked.

6. Unprofessional Communication: Scammers may use unprofessional or poorly-written language in their messages or emails. This can be a sign that the message is not legitimate.

7. Pressure Tactics: Scammers may try to pressure you into acting quickly by making threats or using scare tactics. For example, they may claim that you will be in legal trouble if you do not comply with their demands.

If you encounter any of these signs, it's important to be vigilant and carefully consider the situation before taking any action. If you're unsure about a message or request, do your research, and seek out trusted advice before responding. Remember, the old adage "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" still holds true when it comes to scams. Stay safe by being aware of the common signs of scams and never share your personal information or send money to people you don't know or trust.

An unsecure Facebook account can put you at risk of a variety of threats, including identity theft, scams and fraud, privacy violations, reputation damage, and malware infections. By taking steps to secure your account, such as using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, you can help to protect your personal information and privacy, and stay safe while using Facebook. Here are six tips for securing your Facebook account.

1. Two-factor authentication makes it harder for hackers to log in. Two-factor authentication gives your account an extra level of security by requesting a security code when you log in from an unknown browser. You can choose to receive this code via SMS text message or using an authentication app. After setting up two-factor authentication, you'll be given options for recovering your account in case you lose access to your second device (your phone).

· On a computer:

· Go to https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=security.

· Click Edit next to "Use two-factor authentication."

· Select Use Text Message and follow the instructions to receive codes via SMS (most common) and follow the on-screen instructions.

· Or, if you prefer, select Use Authentication App to use an authentication app like Duo or Google Authenticator and follow the on-screen instructions.

· Using a phone or tablet:

· Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (the three horizontal lines).

· Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.

· Tap Security and Login.

· Tap Use two-factor authentication.

· Tap Use Text Message and follow the instructions to receive codes via SMS (most common), and follow the on-screen instructions.

· Or, if you prefer, tap Use Authentication App to use an authentication app like Duo or Google Authenticator, and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. A strong password is a complex combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that is difficult for others to guess or access. A strong password typically contains at least 12 characters and includes a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.

There are several characteristics of a strong password that make it more secure:

1. Length: A strong password is usually at least 12 characters long. Longer passwords are generally more secure than shorter ones.

2. Complexity: A strong password includes a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. It may also include both upper- and lowercase letters.

3. Unpredictability: A strong password is unpredictable and avoids using common words or phrases that can be easily guessed or found in a dictionary.

4. Avoids Personal Information: A strong password does not contain any personal information, such as your name, date of birth, or address.

5. Unique: A strong password should be unique for each account. This means that you should not use the same password for multiple accounts.

6. Changes Regularly: A strong password is changed regularly. This helps to reduce the risk of someone gaining access to your account by guessing or stealing your password.

Creating a strong password can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can be used. You can create a sentence that is easy to remember, such as "My dog loves to run in the park," and then use the first letter of each word to create the password, interspersed with numbers and symbols, such as Mdl2r!tp.

Another strategy is to use a password manager that generates complex passwords for you and saves them securely. This approach ensures that each password is unique and difficult for others to guess or access.

3. Don’t log into services with your Facebook account

Many outside websites and apps allow you to log in using Facebook rather than your email address. While this is often quicker and more convenient, it adds another potential access point for hackers to access your data. When you log into an outside app through Facebook, your data is shared with it. If hackers attack the sites you log into, your data may be abused.

Despite any convenience, these attached apps might bring you, the safest option is to create a new login for each app you use.

4. Keep your information between friends

To be safe, limit who can see your posts. Facebook has many privacy settings to ensure you have control over your private information. If you've never specifically chosen an audience for your Facebook posts, you may be sharing your information publicly. When posting to Facebook, you can click or tap the small drop-down menu above (mobile) or below (computer) the typing area to select an audience (Public, Friends, etc.). 

Most of your data should be set so only friends can see it. To do this, go to your settings menu, go to the ‘Privacy’ heading. This menu lets you control who sees your posts and how people can find your profile. It also allows you to restrict friend requests to mutual friends and prevents your information from being discovered by strangers. Here's how:

· Using a computer:

· Go to https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=privacy.

· Click Edit next to "Who can see your future posts?" to control your default posting privacy.

· Click Limit Past Posts to change all public (or friends-of-friends) posts to friends-only.

· Click Check a few important settings at the top of the page to run a privacy checkup for more settings to change.

· Using a phone or tablet:

· Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy Settings.

· Tap Who can see your future posts? to control your default posting privacy.

· Tap Limit who can see past posts to change all public (or friends-of-friends) posts to friends-only.

· Tap Check a few important settings at the top of the page to run a privacy checkup for more settings to change.

· To see what your profile looks like to other people (computer or mobile), go to your profile, click or tap the three horizontal dots (…) near the top of the page, and then select View as.

5. Don’t accept random friend requests or requests from friends you have already friended

Scammers create fake accounts and friend people. Once they’ve friended you, they can spam your timeline, tag you in posts, send you malicious messages, and even target your friends. If your birthday and location are viewable by your Facebook friends and you regularly update your whereabouts or other personal information, scammers might be able to use your details and updates to crack your passwords or even break into your home when they know you’re away on vacation. Always check with your friend if you receive a friend request from when you think you're already friends with that person.  Scammers often mimic real people's profiles and try to make friends with their friends.

6. Set up login alerts

Login Alerts send you an alert (Facebook notification, email, and/or text message) when someone logs into your account from an unrecognized location. If you get a login alert and you weren't the one that logged in, click or tap the “This wasn't me” link to recover your account immediately. Here's how to set up Login Alerts:

On a computer:

Go to https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=security.

Click Edit next to "Get alerts about unrecognized logins."

Choose how to receive notifications and click Save Changes.

On a phone or tablet:

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (the three horizontal lines).

Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy.

Tap Settings.

Tap Security and Login.

Tap Get alerts about unrecognized logins.

Choose how you want to receive alert.er/Infographic