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Do Not Fall for These 15 Facebook Cloning Scams and Hoaxes

Posted on by in Cyber Security

Facebook is truly a leader in social media with around two billion active users worldwide. With so many people using it, the platform becomes a popular target for cyber criminals, prankers, and even comedians. This has been causing some problems for the users who get tricked by various hoaxes, cloning scams, and fake news about dead celebrities, natural disasters, and other extraordinary events that did not happen.

facebook-scam-hoax

Facebook has started to battle hoaxes seriously around two years ago. Then, an update to News Feed was introduced to reduce the distribution of posts that people have reported as hoaxes and fake. Despite that one and many other updates, the platform is still targeted by cyber criminals. Unfortunately, in many cases they are successful.

Here are fifteen examples of Facebook cloning scams and hoaxes that made quite an impact.

#1. Chuck Norris Scam

The iconic martial arts actor, the only man in the world who can slam a revolving door, has been declared as dead several years ago on Facebook. Apparently, the scam was spreading around the site for quite some time and left many concerned.

chuck-norris-scam

The message said that the actor died at the age 71 and urged the viewers to click on the link to see the video that allegedly had details. Instead of a video, however, those who clicked reported landing on a completely unrelated page.

#2. Video Scam

While minding his own business, a Facebook user receives a message from his friend, saying that there is this widely popular hilarious video. “You should check it out right now,” says the message, thus enticing the user to click on the link provided.

Of course, there is no video if you clink on that link. Instead, you’ll end up on some fake website that looks just like Facebook and asks to re-enter the login and password. That’s the whole idea behind this scam: to get your login data.

If these people get their hands on it, they can easily take over your account.

#3. Fake Hurricane Sandy Photos

When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast of the U.S., it produced a lot of concerns over the well-being of the population. Extreme weather and flooding were serious problems that had to be experienced by many people.

fake-hurricane-photos

Also, the hurricane was breathtaking in terms of views. New Yorkers shared many stunning photos of the phenomenon, and some of them were really scary. However, as it turned out, most of these photos were nothing more than Photoshop.

#4. Jaden Smith Scam

Jaden Smith, the son of a famous actor Will Smith, was declared as dead recently on Facebook. A number of reports and pictures were provided as well but none of them looked trustworthy.

jaden-smith-death-scam

Despite that, thousands of Facebook accounts were infected just in a few days.

#5. Heartwarming Photo Scam

Often, cyber criminals and scammers get what they want by posting photos that are supposed to pull at our heartstrings. For example, they steal photos showing a child or a family in need and then create a story with the purpose of cultivating shares, likes, and comments.

As the result, scammers edit the post and adds something malicious when it reaches a certain amount of likes.

#6. Facebook Customer Service Scam

The social media giant faced complaints when it was contacted by several people who reported being scammed while trying to speak with Facebook Customer Service. To find out what the heck it was, the researchers Googled it and found some number appeared in top results.

facebook-customer-service-scam

Of course, that number was a total fake. A voice there promised to solve Facebook issues like unlocking the account by purchasing the iTunes card and telling the 16-digit security code on the back of the card. That’s how they get hands on people’s money.

#7. Machupo Virus Scam

Many people have been tricked by a post on their feed that said they must not take a medication called P/500. It is a white pill that contains… a deadly human virus “Machupo”!

machupo-virus-scam

According to scientists, there is no way this virus could survive in such dry environment as a pill. The warning is a clear fake.

#8. Papa John’s Hoax

This one is actually an April Fool’s joke that tricked a lot of Papa John’s fans. The company announced that a new Garlic Gallons was released. In just several hours, more than seven thousand people liked and shared the post.
But it was a fake.

#9. Facebook Fee Hoax

On the freshest hoaxes of 2017 has bothered many people. The messages are circulating around the platform saying that Facebook may become chargeable very soon.

facebook-fee-hoax

The message was: From Saturday morning Facebook will become chargeable. If you have at least 10 contacts send them this message. In this way we will see that you are an avid user and your logo will become blue and will remain free.”

Sound like a total nonsense and it is!

#10. Facial recognition Facebook app hoax

This app reportedly could identify strangers by locating their Facebook page. All one had to do it take a photo of a person and let the app do its job.

facial-recognition-facebook-app-hoax

However, as cool as it sounds, it was a work of a marketing agency plus Facebook would not have let people violate its privacy policies this way.

#11. Identity Steal cloning scam

This one is pretty serious. According to Express.co.uk, this cloning scam involves stealing the identity of Facebook users. Scammers copy a profile, including photos, updates, and even posts.

An increasing number of Facebook users have been reporting false accounts asking for money and even engaging in conversations while pretending to be a real owner of the account.

#12. Immigration Checkpoint Hoax

With the recent deportation push in the U.S., many people have been warned about immigration checkpoints in various states through Facebook. The news, however, turned out to be fake.

The number of fake posts is astonishing, so don’t waste your time if you see while browsing the news feed.

#13. “I Can’t Believe the People I Caught Looking At My Profile” Hoax

A Facebook post suggests that everyone can now see the users who viewed their profiles by installing this great tool called “Profile Spy”.

This is a total scam because it violates Facebook’s privacy policies. Don’t fall for that and don’t install anything!

#14. Mark Zuckerberg Scam

There is message currently circulating in the social media saying that Mark Zuckerberg is ready to give away $45 billion for copying and reposting this message.

This is yet another example of a super ridiculous hoax, there is no way anyone gives you money for reposting this message.

#15. “Dislike Button” Hoax

facebook-dislike-button-hoax

Facebook users have been reporting about getting a message about a chance to install a dislike button. After clicking on the link in that message, a fake Facebook site appears that is designed to steal your data. Mark Zuckerberg did not promise any ‘dislike button’ so don’t think it’s possible.

Author: Lucy Benton

Lucy Benton is a specialist in digital marketing and content writing who currently works at BestEssayTips. She focuses mostly on the worlds of technology, gadgets, and the Internet.

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