Stay Safe from Scams on Facebook

Facebook is the most popular social network in Vietnam, with over 86 million users, representing 83.8% of the population. Beyond being a social platform, Facebook has become an integral part of many Vietnamese people’s lives, used for sharing personal stories, connecting with friends, and even as an e-commerce platform. However, its popularity makes it an ideal environment for online scams.

Introduction

Fraud on Facebook is becoming increasingly sophisticated, causing significant financial and personal information losses to users. Common tactics include selling low-quality products, receiving payments without delivering goods, or tricking people into booking flights or resort stays. Recently, a woman lost over 1.1 billion VND when she booked a room at a resort in Ninh Binh through a fake Facebook page with a blue checkmark. This highlights the importance of recognizing and preventing fake Facebook pages.

Main Content

1. Understanding the Blue Checkmark Verification

The blue checkmark on Facebook, introduced by Meta (the parent company of Facebook), was originally used to verify accounts belonging to celebrities or major brands. However, since March 2023, Meta has launched Meta Verified, allowing any Facebook user to obtain a blue checkmark by paying a monthly fee. This has made the blue checkmark less reliable as a trust indicator.

2. Identifying Fake Facebook Pages

a. Checking Transparency

To check the transparency of a Facebook page, visit the page and click on “About,” then select “Page Transparency.” Here, you will find detailed information about the page’s creation date, name changes, and a list of administrators. If a page has a blue checkmark but frequently changes names or has unrelated administrators, it may be a fake page.

b. Checking Engagement Levels

Another way to identify fake Facebook pages is by examining the engagement levels on posts. Many fake pages use tools to inflate their engagement with fake likes and comments. You can check the list of accounts that have interacted with a post to determine if they are legitimate.

c. Be Wary of External Websites

When interacting with Facebook pages to make purchases or sign up for services, you may be directed to external websites to provide personal information or log in to your Facebook, email, or bank account. These could be phishing sites set up by hackers to steal personal data or hijack your accounts. Always carefully review the domain and protocol of any website before accessing it. Legitimate websites now use HTTPS to secure user data.

Conclusion

Fraud on Facebook is becoming more sophisticated and complex. To protect yourself from fake Facebook pages, carefully check the transparency of the page, examine engagement levels, and remain cautious when accessing external websites. Always be vigilant and never share personal information or log into your accounts on untrusted sites. By doing so, you can minimize risks and safeguard your personal information.

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