The Digital Neighborhood Watch Needs You
The internet and social media sites have given scammers, hackers, and nefarious actors a new space to try to take advantage of unwitting and unsuspecting people, and your help is needed to stop it. We will focus primarily on Facebook and Instagram but the same tips should apply to most sites.
Reading between the lines
Ads blend right into your post feed. It's sometimes difficult to tell if you're looking at an ad or a post from a friend. One way to identify advertisements is to check below the profile name on the post for “Sponsored." On Facebook, you can even gain a better understanding of an ad by clicking the three dots in the upper-right of the post and selecting, ”Why am I seeing this ad?” Looking at this will give you insight into what these sites know about you in the first place.
How to report suspicious posts and ads
If you believe the post or ad to be suspicious, offensive, a scam, or even fake news, you can report it for review. Click the three dots in the upper-right of the post and select 'Report Ad' and follow the on-screen options.
How to report a profile or fake person
Spammers know that they can spam you for free if you accept their friend request first. Based on your bio and interests, these spammers can set up profiles that look enticing. For example, let's say you’re an avid outdoors person. The profile photo of the person sending you a friend request might be a hiker or bicyclist, or they could play on your political ideals. If you don’t know the person, don’t accept their friend request. You can also report that profile for review. Without accepting the friend request, go to their profile page. In the upper-right of their profile click on the three dots, select 'Report', and follow the on-screen steps.We all need to work together to improve our community. Join the digital neighborhood watch by reporting suspicious activity online when you see it.
More information
Facebook: How to Report ThingsNY Times: When You See Something (Fake), Say Something