The growth of Facebook, alongside the rise in online bots and AI computers, means that users need to be more careful than ever of scam accounts and fake profiles.
From potentially fake interactions with Marketplace buyers and sellers, to conversations and messages from scam and fake accounts, the rise of bot technology means that not only are fake users rife, but they are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
That’s why we thought it was important to not just highlight the dangers of these fake accounts, but also share some of the hallmarks of a fake profile so that you know what to look out for.
Why Are Fake Accounts Dangerous?
Fake accounts can hide bots or real scam artists and will often use the account to try and extract personal information, money, or even financial details.
Countless users have fallen foul of Marketplace scams, with other common scams including those posting as a friend in need of financial aid, and even long term catfish relationships.
The first step in protecting yourself from these kinds of dangers is to recognise the signs of a fake account. So, without further ado, here are some of the signs to look out for…
Signs of a Fake Facebook Profile
No Profile Photo
If a user doesn’t have a profile photo or is hiding behind a cartoon or a landscape rather than a photo, then proceed with caution.
To make matters more challenging however, you should also be aware of accounts with an exceptionally attractive profile photo that looks like it shows a model. Fake accounts will often hide behind disarming photos that make them look trustworthy.
No Friends
One of the biggest and most obvious indicators of a fake account is a lack of friends.
Of course, you could argue that the user is new to Facebook and so hasn’t built up a bank of friends yet. However, if you receive a friend request from someone with no friends, who you don’t seem to know or recognise, proceed with caution as there’s a high chance that the profile is fake.
No Activity
Just like in the point above, a lack of Facebook activity hints at a fake profile with no real or genuine interactions.
The timelines of fake accounts will often give little to no insight into the life behind the account – mainly because there isn’t one!
Check the Personal Information
A good indicator of a fake profile comes when you peel back the layers of personal information on the account.
Check things like the birthday, the address or location of the profile user, and other details. If the information is super generic, for example a birthday on 1st January and a main city as the location, then the chances are that the profile is fake.
Do They Send Unsolicited Messages?
The aim of any fake profile is usually to try and get something out of real users. This will often mean that they send messages without waiting for you to accept their friend request – or send a message as soon as you accept the request, if you do.
What to Do if You Come Across a Fake Profile
If you think you’ve spotted a fake profile on Facebook, our advice is to ignore the friend request and then report the profile.
If they appear to be impersonating someone who you know, or are using someone else’s information, you can report the profile as impersonating a real user. This will send the account to Facebook moderators who can then look into the profile and will take action if it appears to be fake. The more users do this and report a fake account, the faster it will be dealt with.
We hope this not only helps to keep you safe on Facebook, but also puts you at ease when it comes to dealing with unfamiliar and potentially fake account holders.
