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Stay Safe on Facebook
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Spam Notifications Targeting Facebook Advertiser.

Facebook Advertisers are facing an increase in Spam Notifications through Messenger.

How to Stay Safe

If you’re a business that runs ads on Facebook, you may have noticed an alarming increase in spam notifications that appear to come directly from Facebook. These messages often use official-looking language, branding, and even call themselves “Facebook.” At first glance, they can seem legitimate, but be warned: they are part of a growing scam campaign targeting businesses and advertisers on Facebook.

Facebook Phishing

In this blog, we’ll explore how these scams work, what to look out for, and how to protect your business from falling victim to fraudulent messages.

The Anatomy of the Scam

The scam typically starts with a notification that appears either in your inbox or on your Facebook Business page. The message will often claim there is an issue with your ad account, such as suspicious activity, ad disapproval, or the threat of a ban. These are exactly the types of things a business running ads on Facebook would want to resolve immediately, making these messages very convincing. The scammers rely on this urgency to get you to act without thinking. They might use common terms that Facebook would use, like “Your account is at risk” or “Action needed to prevent ad suspension.” The message will often include a link, directing you to a page that looks exactly like a Facebook login or support portal. If you fall for the trap and enter your credentials, the scammers now have access to your account.

Why It’s a Scam

The crucial thing to remember is Facebook does not directly message you through in-platform notifications or direct messages for account-related issues. Facebook will only reach out to advertisers or businesses via email, and they only use specific email addresses.

Here are some of the legitimate domains Facebook uses:

  • @facebookmail.com
  • @go.facebookmail.com
  • @mail.instagram.com
  • @business.fb.com
  • @marketing.facebook.com
  • @support.facebook.com

If you receive any message that claims to be from Facebook but doesn’t come from these domains, you are likely dealing with a scam.

How to Spot a Scam Notification

Even with the best preventative measures, scammers continue to get more sophisticated. However, here are some signs to look out for:

Suspicious Email Addresses or URLs: Scammers often use email addresses or URLs that are very close to the real thing, but with slight alterations. For example, you may receive an email from something like @facebook-support.com instead of @support.facebook.com. Always double-check the email domain.

Urgency or Threats: Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency. Messages like “Your account will be disabled in 24 hours if you don’t act” are red flags. Facebook typically does not send such aggressive warnings.

Asks for Personal Information: Facebook will never ask for your login details, passwords, or other sensitive information via messages or notifications.

Unsolicited Links: If a notification includes a suspicious link or asks you to log in or provide account information via a webpage, do not click the link. Always navigate directly to the Facebook Business Manager or your account settings to verify any issues.

How Facebook Actually Contacts You

Facebook contacts businesses through email using specific, verified addresses. You can trust messages from the following domains:

@facebookmail.com

@go.facebookmail.com

@mail.instagram.com

@business.fb.com

@marketing.facebook.com

@support.facebook.com

These are the only domains you should trust for official communication. If you are ever in doubt about a notification or message, never click the link. Instead, log into your account directly or check your Account Quality by visiting www.facebook.com/accountquality.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you’ve received a suspicious message or believe you’ve fallen victim to a phishing scam, act quickly to protect your business. Here’s what you can do:

    Change Your Passwords: If you suspect your account details have been compromised, change your passwords immediately. This is the first step in regaining control of your account.

    Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security can prevent scammers from accessing your account even if they’ve obtained your password. You can enable 2FA through Facebook’s security settings. This ensures that only someone with access to your mobile device can log into your account.

    Report the Scam: If you’ve identified a phishing message, report it to Facebook. Go to the suspicious message or email, and use the reporting tools to alert Facebook of the fraudulent activity. This helps Facebook take action against these scams and protect other businesses.

    Check Account Activity: Review your recent account activity to ensure no unauthorised changes were made. In your Facebook Business Manager, you can check ad performance, payment methods, and account settings to spot anything unusual.

    Visit Account Quality: If you ever receive a notification claiming there’s an issue with your ads or account, check it directly by visiting www.facebook.com/accountquality. This page will show you if there are any legitimate issues with your account.

    Prevention Tips

    To avoid falling victim to these scams, consider the following tips:

    Always verify the sender’s email address: Only trust emails from the verified domains mentioned earlier, such as @facebookmail.com or @support.facebook.com. Anything outside of these domains is likely fraudulent.

    Don’t click on suspicious links: If you receive a message claiming to be from Facebook that asks you to click a link, don’t. Instead, manually navigate to Facebook or your Business Manager to check for any issues.

    Keep your security settings updated: Make sure your account is secured with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Regularly review and update your security settings.

    Train your team: If multiple people have access to your Facebook business account, ensure they are aware of these scams and know how to identify phishing attempts.

    Final Thoughts

    The increase in spam notifications and scams targeting Facebook advertisers is an unfortunate reality, but with vigilance and proper security measures, you can protect your business. Always be cautious of urgent messages, verify the sender’s email, and never click suspicious links. If you’re ever in doubt, navigate directly to www.facebook.com/accountquality to verify any legitimate issues. Staying informed and proactive is the best defense against these scams. By following these steps, you can keep your Facebook business account safe and focus on what matters most—growing your business through effective

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