CrimeLocal newsNews

How to spot a fake Facebook account

Fake account holders create theses platforms to gain wealth or romance.

Facebook is a social networking site with over a billion people, but some of these people do not have the best interests of other users at heart.

Malicious users might try and get your information, steal your identity or destroy your reputation.

Watch Nev get duped by fake account:

According to social media expert Sthembiso Sithole, people created fake Facebook accounts to mislead other users. Alternatively they were obsessed with the fake person whom they were pretending to be.

He said most of these people created fake accounts to benefit either from wealth or romance.

Rekord offers the following tips to spot a fake Facebook account:

– If a person seems too perfect and their facial features or profile picture have been retouched, their Facebook account could be fake. Drag the profile picture onto Google‘s search field. Google will either give an exact match or offer pictures similar to the original.

– Be alert if the profile describes a personality that is too good to be true.

– Check the amount of followers or friends listed on the account and if you have any mutual friends.

– Check if the account has any tags from other “friends” as this might also be a hint whether it is a false account.

– Run a background check on the name and information provided on the account. If the account claims the person attended a certain university or works as a CEO at an international company, you may be able to find mentions on their achievements or sites listed.

Be cautious when sending personal information or images online, ‘Fraudsters’ are using Facebook to fish for men to blackmail.

Also read:

Tips against smash-and-grab crimes

Tips against driveway hijackings

Tips to keep children safe when travelling

Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East

Rekord North

Rekord Centurion

Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Support local journalism

Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from Rekord in Google News and Top Stories.

Back to top button