Beware the FAKE Facebook “Your Account Will Be Blocked” Scam

Facebook users beware – there is a new phishing scam making the rounds that tries to trick you into handing over your login credentials. Scammers are sending Facebook page admins fraudulent messages claiming that their account is about to be blocked due to violations of Facebook’s terms of service. If you receive one of these messages, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Read on to learn more about how this scam works and what you should do if you are targeted.

Overview of the Scam

This phishing campaign targets Facebook page admins with an alarming message stating that their account or page is about to be banned for violating Facebook’s Community Guidelines. The message claims that if the recipient believes this is an error, they can submit a review request within 24 hours through a link provided in the message. If no action is taken, the message claims the account will be permanently disabled.

Of course, this is not actually a message from Facebook, but rather a scam designed to steal login credentials and take over Facebook accounts. The scam message is typically sent via Facebook Messenger to page admins. The language and formatting used closely resembles official Facebook communications, making the message seem legitimate on the surface.

Once users click on the phishing link, they are redirected to a fake Facebook login page that clones the real Facebook website. On this scam website, users are prompted to enter their Facebook login email and password to supposedly submit an appeal and unlock their account. However, in reality, any information entered is sent directly to the scammers behind the phishing attack.

Armed with stolen Facebook credentials, attackers can gain full access to compromised accounts. They often use these hijacked accounts to spread more phishing links or spam to the victim’s friends list. Stolen accounts can also be used to post clickbait links and scammy ads, which allows scammers to generate fraudulent revenue. Even worse, access to a page admin account gives scammers control over any linked Facebook Pages the victim manages. This allows them to post dangerous malware or inappropriate content under the guise of a legitimate Facebook Page.

Overall, this scam is quite devious, as it takes advantage of users’ fear of losing access to their account. The carefully crafted message tricks targets into handing over their login info without thinking twice. All it takes is entering your password once into the fake login page, and your account security is compromised. That’s why it’s critical that Facebook users learn to recognize and avoid this scam.

How the Scam Works

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of exactly how the “Your Account Will Be Blocked” Facebook scam operates:

1. Scammers Send Phishing Message

The scam campaign begins with scammers acquiring or purchasing lists of Facebook user IDs connected to page admin accounts. They target these page admin accounts because compromised pages can be abused to spread more scam links.

Using this list of target accounts, scammers craft a phishing message warning that the user’s Facebook account or page is about to be blocked for policy violations. The message is made to look like official communication from Facebook Support. The scam message will typically say that the account will be permanently disabled within 24 hours unless the recipient appeals by clicking a provided link.

2. Victim Clicks Link to Fake Facebook Site

If the recipient is fooled into thinking the message is real, they will likely click the link out of panic about losing their account. The phishing link redirects to a fake Facebook login page that mimics the design of the real Facebook site. This helps reinforce the illusion that they are on a legitimate Facebook support page.

3. User Attempts Login to Fake Page

On the fake Facebook page, victims are prompted to login to their account by entering their Facebook email and password. This is supposedly to submit an appeal and unlock the account before it is disabled. Unfortunately, any login credentials entered are sent directly to the scammers to be used however they want.

4. Scammers Gain Access to Compromised Accounts

Once scammers have successfully phished the victim’s login info, they gain full access to the compromised Facebook account. With this access, the scammers are free to leverage the account however they please.

They typically start by using the account to send more of the same phishing scam messages to the victim’s friends and network. This allows them to phish even more accounts and grow their scam. They may also post questionable links, content, and spam using the victim’s profile or any linked Pages they now control.

5. Account Owner Loses Control

Meanwhile, the real account owner will find they are locked out of their own Facebook account. With the scammers now controlling it, they have no way to regain access. The only option is to go through Facebook’s account recovery process. However, this can be difficult, especially if the scammers change login details like the password or linked email.

Overall, this scam succeeds by taking advantage of people’s fear of losing their social media presence. The threatening message triggers an emotional response that overrides logical skepticism about the legitimacy of the links and sites. Before they know it, victims have handed over the keys to their account to scammers.

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam

If you inadvertently clicked on a “Your Account Will Be Blocked” Facebook phishing link and entered your login credentials, here are the steps you should take right away:

• Change your Facebook password immediately. This locks the scammers out and prevents further access to your account. Use a strong, unique password that isn’t used on any other sites.
• Turn on login approvals. Under Facebook settings, enable login approvals, which require you to enter a security code sent to your phone on every login attempt. This adds an extra layer of security.
• Check privacy settings. Review all your privacy and account settings to see if the scammers changed anything. Revert any unknown changes.
• Remove unknown apps or browsers. Check for any unfamiliar apps or browsers linked to your Facebook account that the scammers may have added and remove them.
• Review recent posts and messages. Scan your recent Facebook activity for any spam, inappropriate posts, or phishing links shared from your account while compromised. Delete these.
• Warn friends and followers. Let your Facebook friends know your account was compromised in case they received any suspicious messages during the hijack.
• Run antivirus software. Run a scan using updated antivirus software to check for any malware that may have been installed during the phishing attack.
• Contact Facebook. Use Facebook’s account recovery options to report the hack. You may need to submit ID to prove account ownership if login details were changed.
• Monitor activity. Keep a close eye on your Facebook account over the next few weeks to spot any unusual behavior that could indicate further misuse.

Catching and addressing a Facebook phishing attack quickly can help limit the damage. But move fast, or the scammers may do lasting harm to your account reputation or security before you regain control.

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The Bottom Line

The “Your Account Will Be Blocked” phishing scam targeting Facebook users is on the rise. Scammers send fake violation warnings telling recipients to click a link to avoid an account blocking. The link leads to a convincing but fake Facebook login page designed to steal credentials. Armed with a victim’s username and password, scammers can take over accounts and use them to spread more scams.

If you receive an unsolicited message about your Facebook account being disabled, exercise extreme caution. Do not click any links or provide personal information. Check Facebook directly to verify an account violation before taking any action. Be very wary of links promising to resolve account issues, as they are likely phishing attempts. Avoiding traps like this requires always thinking twice before clicking. With awareness and vigilance, Facebook users can protect their accounts from these insidious phishing scams.

FAQ

Is this Facebook blocking message real or a scam?

This is a scam. Facebook does not send out messages threatening to disable accounts and directing users to appeal via questionable links. Any message claiming your account is about to be blocked is likely a phishing scam.

How do I report a Facebook phishing scam?

Forward the scam message to phish@fb.com. You can also report phishing posts by clicking the three dots in the top right corner and selecting “Find support or report post.”

What happens if scammers take over my Facebook account?

They may post spam links or inappropriate content, message your friends with more scams, access personal info in your profile, and link unfamiliar apps or browsers. Move quickly to change your password and secure the account.

Can I get my account back if I entered my Facebook login on a scam page?

Yes, you can recover your account by resetting the password and following Facebook’s hacked account process. But act fast before they change login details or do more damage.

How can I improve Facebook security to avoid scams?

Turn on login approvals, use strong unique passwords, remove unrecognized linked apps, be wary of suspicious messages/links, and enable Facebook protective features like two-factor authentication. Avoid clicking questionable links, even if they seem to come from friends. And never provide your login info unless on the real Facebook website.

What are signs of a Facebook phishing scam page?

Fake Facebook pages used for phishing may have a slightly different URL, missing verification checkmarks, spelling errors, or different fonts/formatting. The page may ask you to log in or enter personal info in a way that the real Facebook would not. Always check the URL and closely examine any login page.

Should I click Facebook appeal links to unlock my account?

No, any links claiming your account is disabled and offering an appeal process are scams trying to phish your password. Facebook does not disable accounts without notice and provide links for appeals. If your account is ever disabled, log into Facebook directly to submit an appeal.

What precautions can Facebook Page admins take against phishing?

Use strong unique passwords, limit admin roles, be extra cautious of odd messages, avoid clicking unverified links, secure accounts with two-factor authentication, monitor activity logs for unauthorized access, and contact Facebook if you suspect your account has been compromised.

Will Facebook compensate me if my account is hacked due to a phishing scam?

No, Facebook is not liable for damages caused by phishing scams or account hijacking. All users are responsible for properly securing their own accounts and avoiding phishing links. Make sure to follow Facebook security best practices.

In summary, be vigilant against any Facebook message that seems suspicious. Look out for scam warning signs, enable protective account features, and think twice before clicking links or entering login credentials. With proper precautions, you can protect your Facebook account and avoid surrendering it to phishing scammers.