FACEBOOK GETTY <\/p>\n
Facebook users should be on the lookout for a new scam that involves stealing your identity. <\/p>\n
Using a process known as \"cloning\", cybercriminals copy your name and profile pictures in order to set-up a brand-new but from the outside, identical Facebook account. <\/p>\n
To make their cloned account appear as real as possible, scammers will even replicate your personal information and past status updates. <\/p>\n
When the fake account is finished, the online criminals impersonate you and send friend requests to your friends and family. <\/p>\n
The scam works because your nearest and dearest assume the Facebook account is genuine, and trust they are talking to you. <\/p>\n
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A worrying number of users have reported false Facebook accounts asking for money after building up a level of trust and even engaging in conversations while pretending to be the true account holder. <\/p>\n
While cloning is more sophisticated than some traditional online scams, the techniques used by these online scammers to fleece friends and family out of money can be a little rudimentary. <\/p>\n
Some users have reported incidents of these cloned accounts claiming to have received a $50 million grant from the US government and they want to share the news on how others can receive the same. <\/p>\n
One of the people whos account has been cloned for such uses is Yvonne Allen. <\/p>\n
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Facebook is the number one app. Every second 20,000 people are on Facebook <\/p>\n
She told American media: I get upset because this is about the third time this has happened. <\/p>\n
I didnt receive anything. If they want to send me $50 million, Ill take it.\" <\/p>\n
Maybe theyre trying to get you to send them money, however other scammers are trying to do something a little more nefarious and thats steal your identity, Danielle Hatfield, owner of web hosting service Experience Farm warned. <\/p>\n
When they finally get around to the scam of maybe asking for money, your friends and family will fall for it. <\/p>\n
Its advised that Facebook users who believe theyre being targeted by what they suspect is a false account should simply search the social network to see if theyre already friends with the person theyre getting additional friend requests from. <\/p>\n
Another way to protect yourself from Facebook cloning is to ensure your privacy settings are cranked up to 10 and only your approved friends can see your account. <\/p>\n
Last month, aFacebook scam started doing the rounds claiming the social network was about to start charging users. <\/p>\n
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The rest is here: <\/p>\n
Facebook scam lets hackers clone your account and STEAL money ... - Express.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FACEBOOK GETTY Facebook users should be on the lookout for a new scam that involves stealing your identity. Using a process known as \"cloning\", cybercriminals copy your name and profile pictures in order to set-up a brand-new but from the outside, identical Facebook account Continue reading