Beware of Social Media Phishing Scams: How to Protect Yourself

If you’ve received a message claiming that your Facebook or Instagram account is about to be suspended or deleted due to a trademark violation, policy breach, or copyright infringement, you’re not alone. These messages often look official and urgent, making many business owners panic and click the provided link without thinking twice.

Unfortunately, these messages are usually phishing scams, designed to steal your login credentials or personal information. At Simple Website Creations® we’ve seen an increase in these scams and want to help you identify and avoid them before they cause any damage.

How These Scams Work

Scammers impersonate Meta (Facebook & Instagram’s parent company) and send alarming messages stating that your account is at risk. Here’s what they typically look like:

• A fake warning claiming that your account is violating Facebook’s policies or trademark rules.
• A sense of urgency—the message will say you must act immediately or risk losing your account.
• A link to 'file an appeal'—this link usually redirects to a fraudulent website designed to look like Facebook’s login page.
• Requests for personal information—scammers may ask for your login credentials, payment details, or other sensitive information.

Example of a Phishing Message:

Subject: Important Notice From Meta

Your Facebook page is scheduled to be permanently removed due to violating our trademark rights.

We made this decision after careful consideration and in compliance with our intellectual property protection policies. If you believe this is a misunderstanding, we ask you to submit a complaint so we can review it before removing the page from Facebook.

Request of Review: FAKE-LINK-HERE. com

Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated.

At first glance, this message seems legitimate, but if you take a closer look, there are red flags that give away the scam.

How to Spot a Social Media Phishing Scam

• Check the sender – Official Meta messages come from emails ending in @facebook.com or @meta.com. If the email is from a random address, it is most likely a scam.
• Inspect the link before clicking – If the URL isn’t a legitimate Facebook or Instagram website, DO NOT CLICK IT.
• Beware of urgent threats – Meta doesn’t delete accounts without notice. If a message is pressuring you to act immediately, be suspicious.
• Go directly to your account – Instead of clicking a link, log into your Facebook or Instagram account and check for official notifications.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This extra layer of security helps prevent unauthorized access to your account.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

• Do NOT click on any links.
• Do NOT provide any personal or login information.
• Report the message to Facebook or Instagram through their official Help Center.
• Delete the message
• Still unsure if it’s real? Reach out to us, and we’ll help you figure it out.

Protect Your Business & Stay Secure

As phishing scams become more advanced, it’s essential to stay cautious and informed. If you ever receive a message that seems off, take a moment to verify it before taking action.

Not sure if a message is legitimate? Please reach to us and we’ll help you determine if it’s real or fake.

Simple Website Creations® is a digital marketing agency that can help you with numerous digital marketing projects such as websites, social media marketing, Droid & iOs application development, and more.  Please give us a call at 218-297-1500 (Ext. 1) or Contact Us today to get started!