Family identity abuse is a growing threat, particularly fueled by the rise in the use of social media and messenger services. For two years now we have been reporting again and again about the scam on WhatsApp , in which fraudsters pose as family members.

What is Family Identity Abuse?


Family impersonation is a form of online fraud in which cybercriminals impersonate family members or close friends to obtain sensitive information or money. They often use fake email addresses, social media profiles or phone numbers that are deceptively similar to those of the real people. The scammers usually manipulate their victims with emotional stories in which they supposedly need help.

Dangers of family identity abuse


Family identity abuse can cause both financial and emotional harm. The following dangers are particularly relevant:

a) Financial loss: Victims are often persuaded to transfer money to the fraudsters, for example under the pretext that a family member is in need. This can lead to significant financial losses.

b) Identity theft: Family identity abuse can also allow fraudsters to obtain sensitive personal information that they can use for identity theft. This can have far-reaching consequences, such as credit fraud or creating fake accounts in the victim's name.

c) Emotional damage: Victims of family identity abuse are often traumatized because they feel betrayed and betrayed. This can lead to distrust of other people and the Internet in general.

How family identity abuse can happen


There are several ways in which cybercriminals can commit family identity abuse:

a) Phishing emails: Scammers often send fake emails claiming to be from family members asking for money or personal information. These emails can look deceptively real and are often difficult to distinguish from real messages.

b) Social media profiles: Fraudsters can create fake profiles on social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram that resemble those of real people. They use these profiles to send friend requests or messages asking for help.

c) Telephone calls: Another method is so-called “vishing” (voice phishing), in which fraudsters call their victims and pretend to be family members or friends. They use manipulated phone numbers that are similar to those of real people to increase their credibility.

d) Hacking and data theft: In some cases, cybercriminals also use stolen or hacked data to impersonate family members or friends. For example, they may break into email accounts or steal contact lists to make their fraud attempts appear more credible.

Tips for users


To protect themselves from family identity abuse, users should take the following preventive measures:

a) Check communication: For suspicious messages or calls, you should always check the identity of the sender or caller, for example by calling back or sending a separate message to the real person.

b) Do not make hasty decisions: Victims should not allow themselves to be pressured into making quick decisions, especially when it comes to transferring money or sharing personal information.

c) Use strong passwords: To minimize the risk of hacking and data theft, users should use strong passwords and change them regularly. The use of two-factor authentication is also recommended.

d) Be careful with friend requests: Users should examine friend requests on social media critically and not accept them too quickly, especially if they do not know the person personally.

e) Limit information on the Internet: To reduce the risk of family identity abuse, one should be careful not to reveal too much personal information on the Internet. This also includes checking and adjusting privacy settings on social media.

f) Report suspicious activity: If you suspect family impersonation or other fraud attempts, you should immediately report them to the relevant authorities or platforms to protect other potential victims.


Conclusion: Family identity abuse is a serious threat that can cause both financial and emotional harm. However, by understanding the mechanisms behind family identity abuse and taking preventive measures, users can minimize their risk and effectively protect themselves from this type of fraud. Vigilance and a healthy distrust of suspicious attempts at communication are crucial in order to avoid becoming a victim of family identity abuse.

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )