Learn how to identify and avoid the latest Facebook “missing child” scam designed to steal your information with practical tips and positive steps to stay safe online.
Global (07 August 2024) – In the ever-evolving world of social media, scammers are constantly on the lookout for new ways to trick us into giving away our data, details, and even money. Their tactics can be deceptive, and one of the latest methods involves exploiting our natural compassion and concern for missing children.
But there’s good news! Awareness and knowledge can protect us from these schemes.
If you’re active on social media, you’ve likely seen posts about missing children. Unfortunately, scammers have begun fabricating these posts to steal your information. They prey on our instinct to help, making it essential to understand how to identify and avoid these scams.
“It is disgusting to use pictures of children, whether real or AI, to try to scam people. The horrible scammers are exploiting people’s real concerns.”
Why Create a Scam Like This?
Scammers exploit the emotional response elicited by posts about missing children. By tapping into our desire to help, they create a sense of urgency that makes it more likely for people to share the post without verifying its authenticity. Once shared, these posts can spread rapidly, reaching a broad audience and increasing the scammers’ chances of stealing information or money from unsuspecting users.
Thankfully, police departments (across the USA) are actively warning the public about these scams. Their goal is to educate and inform, helping people recognise fake posts and avoid falling victim to these deceitful tactics. This proactive approach is a positive step towards safeguarding our communities.
How to Spot the Scam
To help you identify a fake missing child post, here are some tips:
- Lack of Critical Details: Genuine posts will include specific information, such as the location of the incident, contact information for local authorities, and details on how to assist the investigation.
- Origin of the Post: These scams often appear in community or sale groups, with comments usually turned off to prevent questioning.
- Profile Details: Check the profile of the person who posted. Scam profiles often lack personal information, have few pictures, and have minimal friends.
- Post History: On Facebook, you can view a post’s edit history. Be wary if you notice extensive changes, such as switching from an Amber Alert to unrelated content like real estate listings.
For instance, one scam post claimed an Amber Alert for a missing child, but the next day, all the details were changed to advertise a house for lease with suspicious links. Such drastic changes are a clear red flag.
What to Do If You See the Scam
If you encounter a suspicious post, follow these steps:
- Verify the Information: Search for the child’s name in combination with “missing” or “Amber Alert” to see if it appears on legitimate news or police websites.
- Report the Post: Use Facebook’s reporting tools to flag the post as false information or a scam.
- Alert Authorities: Inform your community admins (if posted to a group) about the suspicious post so they can investigate and potentially warn others.
While scammers are continually finding new ways to deceive us, staying informed and vigilant is our best defence. By spreading awareness about the “missing child” scam and how to spot it, we can protect ourselves and our communities. Remember, the power of good advice can make all the difference. Together, we can outsmart scammers and keep social media a safer place for everyone.
Stay safe, stay aware, and always verify before you share!
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