Targets: Facebook Users
The Story:
Within seconds, you find links after links being posted on your wall. You try to remove them one at the time, but it just keep on coming.
Just then, you received an email that looks like an official email from Facebook, "Your Facebook account has been hacked and you need to reset the password". It also directs you to a link to reset your password.
Immediately, you proceed with the reset by entering your personal informations.
Minutes later, you received a text message, like the one above, or one with a similar message.
"Gmail ID# 611287: Your account has been hacked. We need to call you to verify your account. Text back with "READY" when you are ready to receive this call".
"Google user #411287: your account has been hacked. Text back "SEND CODE" When you are ready to receive your reactivate number."
"Google ID #54273: Your account has been hacked. Text back "YES" to reactivate".
"Your Gmail has been compromised by hackers. We need to call to verify your identity. Reply to this message with 'READY' when you are ready to recieve the call."
Ready to verify your account, you quickly replied the message.
The Catch:
By "resetting" the password, you just provide the scammers with all the informations they need.
Upon replying the text message, you just subscribe to a premium text message service without your knowledge, which will charge you up to RM5.00 per message. In next one or two months, the scammers will scam you into texting back and forth a few hundred times.
The Shield:
Ignore any email regarding hacked account from "Facebook"; they don't give a damn.
Ignore any text messages from "Facebook" requesting for a reply. A simple code authentication procedure will be sufficient.
Change your password periodically for further safeguard.
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