(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment would like to remind all residents about the Facebook prize scam after a concerned resident contacted police.
Scammers are increasingly using Facebook as a means of communication to target potential victims. The OPP are warning all residents to be on the lookout for unsolicited Facebook messages claiming you’ve won a prize.
Any solicitation advising consumers that they have won or have a chance to win something but are required to purchase something first or pay an advance fee, such as taxes or delivery charges to receive the prize is a SCAM.
How the scam works
Consumers receive a message on Facebook that may or may not appear to be from a distant relative or family friend. The scammer sends out mass email messages claiming they saw the consumer’s name on a list as a prize winner in a lottery or sweepstakes. A fee is requested up front but no winnings are ever received.
How to protect yourself
Never send money up front on the promise of a prize, lottery or sweepstake.
Scammers are notorious for requesting money to be sent by a money service provider.
Never accept a friend request, engage in a chat or respond to a message from an unknown person.
Protect your profile. Change all privacy setting to “Friendsâ€Â. This will allow only people you know and trust to search and access your profile page.
Should you receive a suspicious message from a family member or friend, confirm the message through an outside source not associated to Facebook, by a telephone call, text message or email.
Report any suspicious messages to Facebook Security at www.facebook.com/report.