Not every “chain letter” that makes the rounds on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and CO can be classified as a hoax. Some of these are true, such as the report that has been shared again and again on Facebook for at least over 6 years, as is currently the case in May 2022.
We'll show you what the report is and how you can protect yourself from this scam.

It's about warning that Facebook accounts are being “hacked”. The chain letter as wording (sic!):
“New Scam – CLONED NOT HACKED!!!
Heads Up!! Almost every account is being cloned. Your picture and your name are used to create a “new” Facebook account. (They don't need your password to do this). They want your friends to add them to their accounts. Your friends will think that it's you and accept your request. From that point on they can write whatever they want under your name. I have NO plans to open a new account!! PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT A NEW FRIEND REQUEST FROM ME.(Copied) This is happening on Instagram and Facebook. Do not accept a request from me I'm not making another FB or Instagram page. Report it right away "
“ New Scam – CLONED NOT HACKED!!! Heads up!! Almost every account is cloned. Your picture and name will be used to create a “new” Facebook account. (You don't need a password for this). They want your friends to add them to their accounts. Your friends will think it's you and accept your request. From this point on, they can write whatever they want under your name.I have NO plans to open a new account!!PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT ANY NEW FRIEND REQUESTS FROM ME.(Copied) This happens on Instagram and Facebook. Don't accept any request from me, I won't make another FB or Instagram page. Report now”
Facebook identity theft
This warning can be taken seriously, because the “identity theft” scam (copied Facebook profiles) has been around for many years.
Fraudsters comb through the publicly available information on a Facebook profile and exploit it as best they can. With this information, they create a 1:1 copy of the profile and try to be added to the friends list by your friends renewed friend requests
This is how identity thieves operate
A fraudster creates a new Facebook identity with the same name and the previously used profile picture + cover photo .
The internet fraudster then visits the original profile and searches through the victim's entire friends list, who then receive another friend request . A majority of users accept these requests because they “know” each other.
If you confirm this request, the new friend will immediately send you a message requesting your own mobile phone number and the numerical codes, which will be received immediately afterwards. Absolute caution is required. These small and inconspicuous numerical codes are worth money! 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 to also contact supposed friends - be it via messenger or social networks. Never pass on payment or confirmation codes sent via SMS.
How can I protect myself? What should I do?
► Optimize your Facebook settings!
1. FIRST LOOK FOR A COPY OF YOUR ACCOUNT
Use Facebook SEARCH and search for your name. Your friends should also support you in the search, because the scammers usually block the ORIGINAL profile and so it may be that your profile exists twice but you cannot find it. If you or one of your friends have discovered a copy, REPORT the copied profile immediately.
2. HIDE YOUR FRIENDS LIST
Once an account has set its friends list to “Only me,” it is no longer of interest to internet fraudsters. To do this, click on “Friends” in your profile (under the cover photo). On the right side you will find these 3 dots in front of “…” and please edit your “privacy”. Set “Who can see your friends list?” to “Only me” here
3. IF POSSIBLE, NEVER POST “PUBLICLY”
EVERYONE doesn't always have to know everything. It's enough if your FRIENDS find out something. You can set the setting for this directly in the status post. This applies to pure text posts, but also photos and videos.
4. PLEASE ALSO MAKE THE FOLLOWING SETTINGS:
Content, contacts and searches
► Who can see your future posts: “Friends”
► Who can send friend requests: “Everyone” or “Friends of Friends”.
Our recommendation: “Friends of friends” ► Do you want other search engines to link to your timeline: REMOVE check mark, limit visibility
► Who can post to your timeline: “Friends”
► Do you want to check posts in which you have been tagged, before they appear on your profile? “Enabled”
► Who can see tagged posts: Our recommendation: “Friends”
► Who can see what others post on your timeline: Our recommendation: “Friends”
► User tagging suggestions: “Enabled”
► Combine your actions with ads: “ No one"
Support consumer advice centers!
Those affected and those seeking advice can also seek advice from one of the consumer .
In addition to personal consultations, which can be arranged for Saxony, for example, by calling the Saxony-wide appointment telephone number 0341-6962929 , email advice is also possible on the Saxony Consumer Center website.
Telephone advice is also guaranteed. All information about this can be found on our website: https://www.verbraucherzentrale-sachsen.de/telefonberatung
Further articles on the topic of “Facebook” can be found here.
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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 )

