******** SCAM ALERT ********
From Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department
We have received reports concerning fraudulent posts and numerous compromised Facebook accounts, leading to individuals being scammed and losing money. It is important to remain cautious when using Facebook to purchase goods. Scammers and hackers frequently target Facebook accounts, resulting in account holders being locked out without any means of recovery. Often, these scammers will change the account password, making it completely inaccessible.
Exercise caution when encountering Facebook posts that advertise items for sale, particularly vehicles or household goods, at unusually low prices. A common scenario involves a Facebook friend claiming that a relative has passed away or is moving into a nursing home and is selling their possessions at unusually low prices. Another red flag is when the “seller” states they are out of town or unable to meet in person, requesting a deposit to hold the item. They often prefer payment methods like Apple Pay or PayPal. Once the deposit is sent, they typically disappear.
As law enforcement, we are unable to access hacked Facebook accounts. These scammers are highly skilled and rely on this activity as their primary source of income, making them difficult to trace. They utilize virtual private networks, fake phone numbers, and false email addresses to evade detection, as they are familiar with the investigative measures we use to try to locate them. Facebook is cooperative with law enforcement, and efforts are ongoing to address these issues.
To protect yourself on Facebook, consider creating strong passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, numbers, and enable two-factor authentication if possible. Additionally, refrain from sending money to anyone online unless you know them personally and have communicated with them either face-to-face or over the phone.
