Facebook users beware, scammers are using fake verified profiles to steal your money

A fake verified profile is messaging social media managers with a dubious link to steal their personal information and eventually money.

Scammers, at least some, have somehow found a way to get verified profiles and steal users’ money. Facebook and Instagram, unlike Twitter, still rely on the old method to verify users with a Blue Tick next to the profile name. It means users have to provide a series of links to claim their profile is authentic and of public interest to get the coveted verified badge. While Facebook parent Meta is indeed testing a paid verification feature, it is available to select users. Social media expert Matt Navara has shared a screenshot of one random profile being verified with a Blue Tick. More importantly, the fake verified profile is messaging social media managers with a dubious link to steal their personal information and eventually money.

As per the screenshot of the post available on Navara’s Twitter feed, scammers are warning users, mainly social media managers about “security issues.” Due to the so-called security issue, users won’t be able to use existing tools to manage their Facebook accounts and are advised to switch to a safer and more professional tool. Needless to say, users have to download this tool to be ahead of the curve.

The post reads, “The new manager is packed with new features that are able to reach your target audience better, and automatically optimise ads better.” The ad is posted by a profile called “Meta Ads.”

The screenshot also highlights that the post has nearly 950 reactions and over 140 comments. It has also been shared 92 times. While the profile and the post look legitimate, users must avoid them at all costs. It is a scam ad that re-directs users to malware. Once the malware takes over the system, it can either steal data or gain access to the system, forcing the user to be vulnerable.

It remains unclear who the profile managed to get a verified badge, though the method is not unprecedented. It could also be possible that the scammer hacked into a verified profile and changed the profile picture and user name. In the past, hackers have gained access to world leaders, including former US President Barack Obama and PM Narendra Modi to carry crypto-scam.

This is also a reason why some experts are against Twitter’s paid verification system. If users get the chance to buy Blue Ticks, chances are that scammers may be able to verify the profile and dupe others on the platform.

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