Jun 02, 2023
A Facebook direct message hacking scam is quickly spreading, according to cybersecurity experts. A phishing scam known as "Look Who Died" tries to get access to your Facebook account by sending you a direct message that appears to be from someone you know and contains a link to an article about an accident that killed someone you know or perhaps a celebrity.
Clicking on the link will download malware onto your phone or computer, which provides criminals with Facebook login information. Facebook accounts are targets for scammers because they contain information such as your shopping history and photos, which allows them to send messages from your account to friends to further the phishing scam.
You should immediately take the following steps, according to security experts, if you are tricked and click on the scam link:
- Check Your Account – ensure you are not locked out and immediately change your password so no one can log into your account
- Report the Scam – alert Facebook of the suspicious activity to help the site prevent future scams
- Secure Your Account – log out of any devices or locations you don't recognize, and review any websites or apps that have permission to access your Facebook account or log in
- Update Your Email and Online Accounts – if you lose access to your primary email address, you are more likely to have multiple accounts compromised and enable two-factor authentication for all online accounts as a more robust security measure
- Scan Your Devices – update and use anti-malware and security software to scan your device for any hidden threats
Visit the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.ftc.gov/scams to learn more about protecting yourself against emerging scams.
