Facebook scams and how to avoid them

Here’s how one common scam works. Someone on Facebook will contact you through instant messenger claiming you won a prize. For instance, the scammer will claim to be from Facebook, saying you’ve won a Facebook lottery. In order to receive your prize you’ll be required to give personal information, log-in information or even money. Facebook recommends if this occurs you don’t respond to the message and report it immediately. Facebook will never use messenger to contact you.

When browsing on social media sites, such as Facebook, your BBB offers these tips:

• Change your password frequently and make sure it is unique to the account you are using as well as your e-mail address’ password to ensure access cannot be obtained via the reset password form of the website.

• Limit the information you share on social media. Never give personal information to anyone in a post.

• Be sure your Facebook friends know when your profile is hijacked, so they don’t put themselves at risk by accepting a bogus friend request.

• Familiarize yourself with security and privacy settings and adjust yours accordingly.

• Visit the applications page of the social network and remove any apps you don’t recognize. If the account continues to behave erratically, consider revoking access to all applications.

• Be wary of any message saying you won something. It’s usually a scam.

• Make sure your computer, laptop, tablet and cell phone device has up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software.

Contact your local law enforcement agency if you feel you've been a victim. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) accepts online Internet crime complaints from either the victim or from a third party to the complainant, visit www.ic3.gov. Also, you can report a scam by contacting Facebook directly, visit www.facebook.com/help/167722253287296/.

Remember, your BBB can help protect you from being a Facebook scam victim. Check out questionable posts by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.