Author Topic: Bogus Facebook Friend Requests  (Read 1427 times)

Offline Xairbusdriver

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 26388
  • 27" iMac (mid-17), Big Sur, Mac mini, Catalina
    • View Profile
    • Mid-South Weather
Bogus Facebook Friend Requests
« on: August 19, 2014, 04:46:11 PM »
Do I understand this as a Phishing email?

An acquaintance of mine says they were notified by a current FB Friend (of my acquaintance ) that the current Friend got an email request for her (the current Friend) to become a Friend. Is that clear enough? The point is, someone used my acquaintance's name asking that someone become her Friend. But the recipient is already a Friend of my acquaintance.

My acquaintance obviously did not send the email. I contend that the email is nothing more than a Phishing email that will not take anyone to FB. I suggested she simply change her password and be done with it.

Unfortunately, the person reporting this, claims my acquaintance's account has been hacked. That's always possible, of course. After all, it is FB. rolleyes.gif The reporter then asks that my acquaintance notify "all her friends to ignore any emails asking them to become a friend". Although it might prevent a few naive 'friends' from clicking the link in the email, it will not help the probably thousands of other, non-friends, who will be getting the same email, totally without my acquaintance's knowledge.

I told my acquaintance to send a message to anyone she wanted but not to worry about people who click on links in emails without using their brain. She is not responsible for others stupidity or ignorance. If she wants to attempt to teach safe surfing to the rest of the world, she will be very busy for the rest of her life... wallbash.gif flail.gif

Bottom line, no one needs to "hack" a FB account in order to send a Phishing email supposedly asking for  the recipient to become a "friend". Naturally, the original Phishing email is not available.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:

Offline kimmer

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 9086
    • View Profile
Bogus Facebook Friend Requests
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2014, 07:57:20 PM »
If it's legit, there will be an alert at FB. I'm guessing that it's a scam/phishing email. I second your recommendation to change password.

Offline Paddy

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 13797
    • View Profile
    • https://www.paddyduncan.com
Bogus Facebook Friend Requests
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2014, 08:55:22 PM »
Their Facebook accounts have been cloned (not hacked - their original accounts are still intact and fine). It's happened to two of my friends in the past 3 months and in both cases all the current friends got friend requests from the scammer. See: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/second-friend-r...k-warning.shtml

There is no need for anyone to change passwords, though the owner of the REAL FB account should notify FB to have the scammer's account removed. One more reason not to have anything much visible to non-friends on FB. dry.gif

Apparently it can also happen with some FB apps for Blackberry and possibly iPhone, though the solution for that seems to be updating the software.
« Last Edit: August 19, 2014, 08:57:14 PM by Paddy »
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Offline Xairbusdriver

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 26388
  • 27" iMac (mid-17), Big Sur, Mac mini, Catalina
    • View Profile
    • Mid-South Weather
Bogus Facebook Friend Requests
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2014, 10:01:20 PM »
Thanks for the link, forwarded it to my friend and suggested she send it on to hers, also!

Nothing is worse than a rotten phish!!!
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:

Offline Paddy

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 13797
    • View Profile
    • https://www.paddyduncan.com
Bogus Facebook Friend Requests
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2014, 12:00:51 AM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 19 2014, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the link, forwarded it to my friend and suggested she send it on to hers, also!

Nothing is worse than a rotten phish!!!


More useful info on how to make it more difficult for someone to clone your account (or not worthwhile) and how to report it etc. if it happens to you or someone you know.

http://facecrooks.com/Scam-Watch/Fake-Face...nd-Thieves.html
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13