If you use Facebook Messenger, you might have received a message from a friend that says something like “He died in an accident” followed by a link to a website. This is a scam that tries to trick you into clicking a malicious link that can compromise your account and spread the scam to your contacts. In this blog post, I will explain what the He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam is, how it works, what to do if you have fallen victim to it, and how to avoid it in the future.
What is the He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam?
The He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam is a phishing scam that uses social engineering to manipulate your emotions and curiosity. Phishing is a type of cyberattack that tries to steal your personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or bank account details, by pretending to be someone or something you trust. Social engineering is a technique that exploits human psychology and behavior to influence your decisions and actions.
The scammers behind this scam send you a message on Facebook Messenger that claims that someone you know has died in an accident. The message may look like it comes from one of your friends or relatives, or from a news outlet or a professional network. The message also includes a link that supposedly leads to more information about the incident. The link may look like it goes to a legitimate website, such as CNN or LinkedIn, but it actually redirects you to a fake website that asks you to log in with your Facebook credentials. If you enter your username and password on the fake website, the scammers will gain access to your account and use it to send the same scam message to all of your contacts. This way, the scam can spread quickly and infect more victims.
How The He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam Works
The He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam works by exploiting two common human tendencies: curiosity and empathy. When you receive a message that says someone has died in an accident, you may feel shocked, sad, or curious. You may want to know who the person is, how they died, or if there is anything you can do to help. You may also trust the sender of the message, especially if it appears to come from someone you know or respect. These factors make you more likely to click on the link in the message without thinking twice.
However, once you click on the link, you are taken to a fake website that looks like a legitimate one. The fake website may have the same logo, design, and URL as the real one, but it is actually controlled by the scammers. The fake website will ask you to log in with your Facebook credentials, claiming that you need to verify your identity or access some exclusive content. If you enter your username and password on the fake website, the scammers will capture them and use them to log into your real Facebook account. They will then change your password and security settings so that you cannot regain access to your account. They will also use your account to send the same scam message to all of your contacts, hoping that some of them will fall for it too.
What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim To The He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam
If you have fallen victim to the He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam, you need to act quickly to secure your account and prevent further damage. Here are some steps you should take:
- Change your password immediately. If you can still access your account, go to your settings and change your password to something strong and unique. You should also enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Report the scam message and the fake website. If you still have the scam message in your inbox, report it as spam or phishing by clicking on the three dots icon next to it and selecting “Report”. You should also report the fake website that asked you for your credentials by going to https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/143363852478561 and filling out the form.
- Check your activity log and review your security settings. Go to https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=security and check if there are any suspicious logins or devices connected to your account. If there are any that you don’t recognize, remove them immediately. You should also review your security settings and make sure they are up to date.
- Inform your contacts about the scam. If the scammers have used your account to send the scam message to your contacts, you should inform them about it as soon as possible. You can send them a message or call them and tell them not to click on any links in messages that claim someone has died in an accident. You should also apologize for any inconvenience or distress caused by the scam.
- Scan your device for malware with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free. It is possible that the fake website that asked you for your credentials also installed some malware on your device. Malware is a type of software that can harm your device or steal your data. You should scan your device with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free and remove any malware that is detected.
Conclusion
The He Died in an Accident Facebook Messenger Scam is a phishing scam that tries to trick you into clicking a malicious link that can compromise your account and spread the scam to your contacts. The scammers use social engineering to manipulate your emotions and curiosity and make you click on the link without thinking twice. If you receive a message on Facebook Messenger that claims someone has died in an accident and it has a link to an unknown website, you should never click on it. You should also contact your friend who had their account hacked and help them get their account back. By following these tips, you can protect yourself and your friends from this scam and other similar ones.
