Online scams and phishing attempts have become all too prevalent these days with technological advancement making it easier for scammers to target people around the globe. One such Facebook Messenger scam that has attracted widespread public attention is called “Who Died Look in an Accident”, where fraudsters claim someone you know has died in an accident claiming you never knew about. We provide herein an in-depth guide of “Who Died Look in an Accident”, how it operates and how to prevent falling prey to it.
Understanding Who Died in an Accident Scams
“Who Died Look in an Accident” scams are attempts by fraudsters to acquire sensitive data about you through social engineering tactics. Scammers use Facebook Messenger messages purporting that someone from their acquaintance died in an accident before sending links supposedly providing news reports, yet are actually malware that will infiltrate devices and gain personal details of its recipients.
Once you click on a link, you will be taken to an illegitimate Facebook login page in which scammers ask for your login credentials in exchange for which they could potentially exploit or sell off your account for malicious use or sell on dark web.
How to Stay Out of Scams
To protect oneself against scammers’ who claim “Who Died in an Accident”, it’s wise to exercise extreme prudence when making purchases online or via retail outlets. Here are a few precautions you should keep in mind:
Be wary of Unsolicited Messages: If an unsolicited message purporting that someone you know has passed, take caution before opening any links provided in it. Be cautious before clicking through.
Examine the Source of a Link: When browsing any links, take note of their source. If it seems dubious or has other irregularities, avoid clicking it altogether.
Install Antivirus Software: For optimal device protection from malicious threats and infections, be sure to utilize antivirus software on all of your devices.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Your Facebook Account: Add another layer of security by activating two-factor authentication for your Facebook account.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you come across any suspicious behavior on Facebook, report it immediately.
Conclusion
Online scams and phishing attempts have become all too prevalent, necessitating us all to remain wary when using social networks like Facebook Messenger. One such scam, known as the “Who Died Look in an Accident”, targets victims through unsolicited messages with links. Before clicking any unsolicited links it’s wise to verify their source first before following them. Ensure antivirus software protection on devices you own as well as two-factor authentication on Facebook accounts are in place before reporting suspicious activity immediately to Facebook.
Staying vigilant and cautious online is key to avoiding online scams; hopefully this article has given you insight into the “Who Died in an Accident” scam and provided ways of preventing yourself from falling prey to it.
