Facebook Community Group Scams Are on the Rise and Could Put You at Risk of Losing Money

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Don’t trust everything you read online. Some scammers are targeting Facebook community groups. Find out what to watch out for so you don’t fall victim. 

Many people use social media sites and apps regularly. Apps like Facebook make it easier to stay in touch with friends and family. But when using these digital platforms, it’s essential to be aware of potential scams so you don’t put yourself at risk of losing your hard-earned money.

Unfortunately, online fraudsters constantly find new ways to exploit people for their own gain. If you’re not careful, you could fall for a costly scam that drains your bank account. Here are some of the ways scammers are targeting users who belong to Facebook community groups.

Fake posts about lost or injured pets

One of the more common ways that scammers are trying to trick people is by making fake posts about lost or injured pets. The poster will include photos and details about the pretend pet to tug at the heartstrings of Facebook users and get them to share the post with their network.

But once the post gets more traction after being reshared, the poster will edit the original post. They will update the post with entirely different content and will include scammy text and suspicious links in hopes that users will be tricked into parting ways with their money.

These posts have become more frequent in recent months and often appear in local groups. Before you share posts about lost or injured pets on social media, take a few extra moments to determine if the post is legitimate or not. The last thing you want to do is spread misinformation that causes well-meaning social media users to get scammed.

As an animal lover, I’ve previously shared posts like these, assuming they were real. I now know to do more thorough research before sharing them. This scam is a good reminder that not everything we see online is factual. It’s always best to double-check before sharing anything.

Posts from users pretending to be contractors

Unsurprisingly, many people look to community groups on social media for contractor recommendations. Whether they need a new roof, their walls painted, or a plumbing fix, getting recommendations from other neighbors can be a great way to avoid problem businesses.

In addition to community members sharing their recommendations, some business owners promote their services in these groups. Before messaging a potential contractor or clicking on a link, ensure it was posted by a legitimate professional — otherwise, you may get scammed.

I’ve noticed more posts from Facebook users pretending to be general contractors. These posts usually include a personal story about how they recently took steps to start a business and that they’re looking for new customers to give them a try. But the users aren’t legitimate contractors.

Usually, the posts are lengthy and include a phone number from an area code that is not local. I’ve also noticed they’re from users who joined within the last few days. Luckily, I’ve seen them get deleted quickly by group moderators. But I still want to warn others so they don’t get conned.

It pays to practice extra caution on social media

The last thing you want to do is end up with a fraudulent credit card charge due to falling for an online scam. When using social media platforms like Facebook, it’s necessary to practice extra caution. Fraudsters are developing new and elaborate ways to trick users like you. If you’re not careful, your personal finances could be impacted.

Review all posts carefully before sharing them with others. If you’re considering hiring someone on social media, review their profile to ensure they’re an actual human. Be wary if the user doesn’t have a profile photo, it’s a brand-new account, or their messages seem scammy. Above all else, remember to trust your gut, especially when you’re online.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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