ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Got a Message Promising a Government Grant? You Might Want to Verify the Source

A recent surge in online scams exploits Facebook Messenger, tricking users into believing their friends have received government grants
PUBLISHED JAN 30, 2024
Facebook logo | Getty Images | Photo by Chesnot
Facebook logo | Getty Images | Photo by Chesnot
Social networking site Facebook is displayed on a laptop screen | Getty Images | Photo by Dan Kitwood
Social networking site Facebook is displayed on a laptop screen | Getty Images | Photo by Dan Kitwood

Social media has become a hub for people to interact freely and for strangers to become friends, but it has also opened up avenues for scammers lurking around in the digital world to target unsuspecting victims and rob them. The threat has been highlighted once again by the discovery of a new scam involving Facebook Messenger, which is manipulating the trust people have in their friends, leading to potential financial losses. This scam falsely promises government grants to unsuspecting users, leveraging the credibility gained from hacked accounts of known individuals.

The scam begins innocuously with a message, seemingly from a friend on Facebook, claiming the receipt of a substantial government grant. The victim, recognizing the sender as a friend, is more likely to trust the message. The scammer, masquerading as the friend, then encourages the recipient to apply for this non-existent grant, promising substantial financial aid.

One of the many targeted using this tactic was a York County resident named Barbara, who reported receiving such a message, which promised her a $100,000 check from the government, but only after she paid a $500 fee for delivery and taxes. This fee to be paid upfront is enough to raise an alarm, as genuine government grants do not operate in this manner. But the temptation of a massive payout and the message coming from a known account, prevents the victim from spotting this obvious red flag.

As opposed to the claims made in these fake messages, the government does not distribute grants casually to individuals for personal expenses. Legitimate government grants involve a formal application process and are earmarked for specific purposes, usually linked to community projects, research, or education. The scam targets individuals who are unaware of these facts, and exploits their trust as well as hope for financial aid.

Social networking site Facebook | Getty Images | Photo by Dan Kitwood
Social networking site Facebook | Getty Images | Photo by Dan Kitwood

The scam is orchestrated through hacked Facebook accounts, and messages, while seemingly from a friend, are composed and sent by scammers. If you receive such a message, it's crucial to understand that you are not in immediate danger unless you respond or engage with the scammer. The best course of action is to ignore the message and reach out to your friend through other means, not related to Facebook, to inform them of the potential hack. Affected individuals should change their Facebook passwords immediately and review their account security settings.

This scam highlights the need for heightened vigilance in the digital age, especially on social media platforms where personal connections are used as a veil for fraudulent activities. Users are advised to be skeptical of any unexpected financial opportunities presented via social media, irrespective of the source. Regularly updating passwords, using two-factor authentication, and educating oneself on the nature of online scams are critical steps in safeguarding against such deceitful tactics.

In conclusion, this Facebook Messenger scam serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of online fraud, and highlights the importance of staying informed and cautious.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The painting and a note from the renowned artist, Hovsep Pushman left the expert in awe.
9 hours ago
Banking on a bad guess made by his opponent, Ryan Burkett guessed the correct answer and took home a massive win.
11 hours ago
The World War II era sketch was given to the guest's father by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman.
14 hours ago
The contestant, Madison, hit the jackpot with less than a second remaining in the 'Race Game.'
1 day ago
Both the contestant and fans believed he stood no real chance of solving the Bonus Round puzzle.
2 days ago
The spooky item was a great find for the pawn shop, but the asking price was too high for Corey Harrison to cut a deal.
3 days ago
Despite saying that the item was worth a small fortune, the expert was confident about its future.
3 days ago
Harrison almost blew the deal for the gold & diamond encrusted ring over $3,000.
4 days ago
Insulted by her refusal to partner up, Kevin O'Leary told Lori Greiner, 'Do not screw with Mr Wonderful...'
4 days ago
The witty host reminded everyone that he’s never afraid to deliver the perfect clap back.
5 days ago
TikToker Madilynn Cameron alleged she was asked her to get a membership to use the self checkout facility at Walmart.
5 days ago
The toy train set from the Lionel company turned out to be a invaluable treasure.
5 days ago
The pawn shop boss, Rick Harrison wasted no time to get the mummy authenticated.
5 days ago
The elderly guest was visibly shaken to learn the value of her prized family heirloom.
5 days ago
In an Instagram post, Drew Goldfarb got candid about his big win, friends he made along the way, and things he learnt.
5 days ago
Ken Jennings accidentally let a curse slip and spoiled a clue — and the goof-up made it to air unedited.
6 days ago
The expert admitted that the item wasn't the most appealing thing to appraise.
6 days ago
'Dad had a good day digging,' expert Christian Beadman told the guest after revealing the value of the sculpture.
6 days ago
The guest brought in a rare Alexander Calder sculpture, but she wasn't prepared for the jaw-dropping appraisal.
6 days ago
Cuban, who initially refused to make an offer, jumped back into the competition.
7 days ago