A message pops up in your Facebook Messenger inbox from what appears to be an official Facebook account, “Meta Verified.” Unusually, the account name is misspelled as “Verrified,” with an extra “r.” But what catches your attention is that the message says your Facebook account shows unusual activity. It includes a PDF attachment and warns that your account will be permanently deleted if you don’t respond within 24 hours. The message includes the official Meta logo and states that it is encrypted, so at a glance, it seems real.
But this message is actually a phishing scam! Cybercriminals hope that you’ll be alarmed by the urgent warning about account deletion and act without thinking. If you open the PDF file, it could contain malicious links or direct you to a fake website that is designed to steal your personal data!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this Facebook phishing scam:
- If you receive an account warning through Facebook Messenger, don’t open any attachments. Go directly to the Facebook app or website yourself to check your account status.
- Use caution any time you receive an unexpected message that seems urgent. Cybercriminals often try to trick you by rushing you into acting before you’ve had a chance to think.
- In this particular scam, the message you receive is from an account with a misspelled name. Unusual account names or grammatical errors in “official” messages should always be treated as a red flag.
Source: Alphastar Capital Management Security Team
Recent Posts
Scam of the Month: One Letter Away from a Scam
Tax Diversification in Retirement: Building Flexibility for Future Income Needs
Understanding the Difference Between Risk Tolerance, Risk Capacity, and Financial Goals
Back-to-Routine Money Reset: Taking Stock Before the End of the Year- Scam of the Month: This Job Won’t Work
Planning for Longevity: Preparing for a Retirement That May Last Decades
Why Putting Your Financial Strategy in Writing Matters
Summer Financial Checkup: Reviewing Your Progress and Priorities- Scam of the Month: FIFA Phishing
Four Financial Scams Targeting Seniors- Scam of the Month: Fake It ‘Til They Take It
- How Much Do You Really Need to Retire?
How to Prioritize Multiple Financial Goals at Once
The Pros and Cons of Consolidating Investment Accounts
Rethinking Retirement Timing: “Traditional” Retirement?
Megan Jones joined the ILG Financial team in 2020 as marketing director. Megan and her husband live in Fredericksburg, VA with their German Short Haired Pointer, Gus. Megan is a graduate of Longwood University and holds a degree in communications. Megan is the oldest of Dave Lopez’s three children and not only enjoys working alongside her father, but also with her cousin, Chase, who joined the ILG Financial team in 2020 as an advisor. Megan is also a fully licensed Life, Health, and Annuity agent. When not at work, Megan enjoys sitting on the back porch with family and friends enjoying food and music.
Amy Anderson joined the ILG Financial team in 2023 as the client relations coordinator. Her responsibilities include scheduling of appointments, annual check-up notifications, and annuity and required minimum distribution assistance. She is a graduate of Harding University with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Amy and her husband have two children and she enjoys reading, crocheting, music and spending time with her family.
Terri Center joined the ILG Financial team in 2019 as client services manager. She handles client records, application processing, and gathering information to provide a professional and friendly experience with all of our clients. Terri is a graduate of Oakland University. She is married and has two children. She enjoys hiking, family time, and puzzle challenging video games. She also likes to share her creativity in her canvas paintings and sewing projects.
Jessica Carson joined the ILG Financial team in 2018 as an agent. Jessica and her husband have four children, two dogs, 3 barn cats, 5 chickens, and three parakeets. She indeed loves her children and pets! When not at work, Jessica enjoys playing the piano and cello as well as traveling and spending time outside with her family, hiking, fishing, and boating.