Beware of Facebook Messages Claiming Your Page Is Disabled

Beware of Facebook Messages. Facebook’s users should stay on high alert for deceptive Facebook messages posing as official Facebook communications, falsely stating that their accounts have been disabled.

I have seen a couple of these deceptive messages recently, prompting me to write this article.

The Deceptive Tactic

“Hellо (name of your business), Your Business Page Has Been Disabled. We are constantly updating our Meta Privacy Policy and Terms of Service We have temporarily suspended your page because someone told us that you violated our terms and conditions of service. View details here: (malicious link)
Meta Security Team.”

OR

“We have detected a breach of our Facebook Community Standards on your page. Your page has been deactivated due to violations of Facebook’s Terms of Service. If you disagree with this decision, you can request a review and submit an appeal by clicking the link below.”

Some of the messages and emails claim that immediate action must be taken within 24 hours to prevent the permanent deletion of the account. This tactic uses the pressure factor to coerce individuals into taking action.

These deceitful messages employ a common strategy: creating a sense of urgency, a favorite tactic among scammers. Messages that imply wrongdoing, rule violations, or imminent financial consequences are more likely to manipulate their recipients successfully.

This sense of urgency urges individuals to click on the provided link, which redirects them to a fraudulent Facebook page. Once there, visitors are prompted to supply various personal details, including, but not limited to:

  • Login Email
  • Name
  • Phone number

When the submit button is clicked, passwords are inadvertently revealed. Unless extra security measures, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), are in place, the recipient of the phishing email is likely to lose control of their account.

Recommended Steps

While emails of this nature can be unsettling, it is advisable to remain composed and scrutinize the information, regardless of the email’s claims. In this situation, the email asserts that your Facebook account has been disabled. However, this claim can be easily disproven.

Instead of relying on the links in the email, simply access Facebook directly and verify the status of your account.

If your account has indeed been deactivated, logging in will be impossible, and you will be redirected to a message explaining the situation. If you believe your account was unjustly deactivated, you can challenge this decision by contacting Facebook.

In any case, a quick examination will confirm whether the email’s content is legitimate, as your account’s functionality will be readily apparent.

To help you spot these scams, here are some other indicators to watch out for:

How to Recognize a Scam

  1. Not a Genuine Communication from Facebook: Upon closer inspection, you might notice that you have been tagged in a post instead of receiving a legitimate notification. The name of the account tagging you is presented as if it is a notification, which is a sign of deception.
  2. Being Tagged: Authentic notifications from Facebook or Meta will appear in a standard notification window, conveying information like account status. You will not be tagged in these types of notifications.
  3. Typos, Incorrect Grammar, and Awkward Language: Regardless of the platform (social media, text, or email), the presence of typos, spelling mistakes, and poor grammar is a significant red flag that you might be targeted by a scammer.
  4. Sense of Urgency: Scammers often use urgency as a manipulation tactic. If you notice language that pressures you to make quick decisions or click hastily, be cautious. These tactics aim to prevent you from thoroughly considering the situation.
  5. Suspicious Links: Authentic notifications from Facebook typically include buttons that prompt users to take specific actions, rather than embedded links. Examine links very closely and consider avoiding clicking them as a rule. Scammers often use links that resemble legitimate ones but have minor alterations, such as inverted letters, to deceive at first glance.

Here are more steps to safeguard yourself from phishing attempts:

  • Approach emails with skepticism, especially those concerning logins, suspensions, disabled accounts, or urgent matters.
  • Disregard links; instead, visit sites directly and log in through your usual method.

If you enjoyed this article “Beware of Facebook Messages Claiming Your Page Is Disabled”, please share it on your social media platforms.

Mary Ann Hill
Website Designer
www.imswebsites.com