In today’s digital age, maintaining a strong online presence is often a full-time job. Social media channels are a vital communications medium for brands, associations and governments alike. However, the importance and accessibility of these accounts are attracting more and more scammers.
Recently, there has been an alarming rise in the number of spam messages targeting Facebook pages – including Martin Waymire and our clients – which can be scary and concerning.
What They Look Like
Incoming messages to brand Facebook pages appear to be coming from Facebook itself, or a department within the social media giant.
Messages include:
- Immediate threat of account termination
- Vague description of account issue
- Easy “fix it” option for users
- Link that is not a Facebook URL
- Final threat of account termination
- Sign-off that aims to be official
Besides the message displayed here, you may see spammers sending termination threats based on alleged copyright infringement, ad spending limits or, like here, general termination.
Guarding Your Brand and Peace of Mind
To protect your brand and your peace of mind, social media managers should consider implementing these best practices:
- Team Training: Ensure that your social media team is well-informed about the existence of these spam messages and can spot them quickly.
- Healthy Skepticism: Approach unsolicited messages with skepticism. If anything feels amiss, refrain from engaging with the sender and avoid clicking any links included in the message.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enhance your Facebook Page’s security by enabling 2FA. This extra layer of protection helps thwart unauthorized access by sending a code to an authorized email or cell phone number of an account admin.
- Prompt Reporting: If you encounter a spam message, don’t hesitate to report it to Facebook. Their systems are designed to investigate and address malicious accounts.
- Regular Security Check-ins: Regularly review and update your Page’s security settings to ensure you’re safeguarded against potential threats.
Just like with email spam and phishing attacks, it’s important to be certain of the authenticity of the sender and message you are receiving.
If you ever have questions, feel free to reach out to anyone on the Martin Waymire team. Our social media experts can help ensure that the images you use, the advertising you place and the content you post adhere to copyright laws, social media platform rules and general best practices.
