The Saxony Consumer Center is now also warning against fraud involving copied Facebook profiles
Ms. Riedel from Plauen is billed 120 euros by her mobile phone provider for a payment service she is unfamiliar with.
A few days ago, the lady only received another friend request from one of her Facebook friends.
Ms. Riedel confirmed the friendship and, when asked, gave her cell phone number to her supposed friend.
She then received several numerical codes via SMS sent to her cell phone, which she was supposed to pass on to her new (old) friend.
Thanks for the favor she did for her “friend,” an inflated cell phone bill.
Because when the number codes were passed on, the number combinations were redeemed at the expense of Ms. Riedel's mobile phone bill.
Ms. Riedel has fallen victim to a new scam on Facebook.
We warned in detail about this type of fraud back in 2014, which you can read here .
These copy a friend's profile. A new Facebook identity will be created with a name of the same name and the previously used profile picture. “The fraudsters can do this without any problems because the Facebook profile pictures are accessible to everyone. For example, a space is simply inserted into the name and a new, deceptively real Facebook user is created,” explains Arleen Becker from the Saxony Consumer Center.
After the registration process, friend requests are then sent to the real profile owner's friends.
If you confirm this, your new friend will immediately ask you for your mobile phone number and the numerical codes, which will be received immediately.
“Absolute caution is required. These small and inconspicuous numerical codes are worth money,” warns Arleen Becker.
By passing on the numerical codes, the fraudsters are able to redeem them at payment service providers and thereby charge the victim's cell phone bill. However, simply passing on your cell phone number does not result in a charge to your own cell phone bill.
In general, it is important never to pass on payment or confirmation codes sent via SMS to supposed friends - be it via messenger or social networks.
“But it's best if you simply ask the sender personally after receiving a new friend request. This is still the best way to clarify whether it is really a personal acquaintance or whether it is a hoax by fraudsters,” Becker continued.
A new request from the same person will only be considered if the friend has previously been independently removed from the friends list.
Those seeking advice can seek advice from the Saxony Consumer Advice Center.
Appointments for a personal consultation can be made from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the number of the Saxony-wide appointment telephone: 0341-6962929.
Notes:
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