Social Media Impostors – Is This You in the Video?

In today's email:

🎥 Fake Friend Alerts: How scammers hijack social media to target your family.

🔎 Red Flags Checklist: Quickly recognize impostor messages.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Action Plan: Simple tips tailored for each family member.

🎣 Safe Scrolling Guide: Avoid traps without losing the social fun.

"Is This You in the Video?" No, it's probably not.

Imagine this scenario: Your teen, Alex, receives a Facebook message from "Uncle Bob" saying, "OMG, is this you in this video?! 😂" Alex panics and nearly clicks. Hold on—it's likely a scam.

How This Scam Works

• The Message: Often sent via social media DMs like Facebook or Instagram, appearing to come from a friend or relative.

• The Trick: Clicking the link leads to fake login pages or malware downloads designed to steal credentials or infect devices.

• The Impact: Millions have lost personal data or money. The FTC reported over $1.2 billion lost to social media scams last year.

🚩 Red Flags to Spot Instantly

• Unexpected DMs asking you to view a video or photo

• Odd grammar or spelling errors

• Links from unknown or disguised websites

• Urgent or emotional messaging designed to trigger quick clicks

• Messages from contacts you rarely hear from

Family Impact & Action Plan

Social media scams capitalize on trust. When a message seemingly comes from someone familiar, it bypasses our usual skepticism. Often, scammers use hacked or cloned profiles to deceive you. Once your account is compromised, scammers can use your profile to perpetuate the scam, sending similar messages to your friends and family.

Protect Your Family: Step-by-Step

• Verify First: Always contact the sender outside of the original message—use a call, text, or different platform to confirm.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Protect your social accounts by enabling additional security measures.

• Educate Regularly: Frequently discuss online safety and new scams with your family, especially young members and seniors.

• Use Secure Devices: Regularly update software and antivirus programs to protect against malware and spyware.

Family Impact & Action Plan

• Child (under 12): Clearly instruct them to never interact with links or messages from unknown senders. Encourage open communication about any unusual online activity.

• Teenager (13–19): Teach them to pause before clicking, even on messages from friends, and always double-check through direct contact.

• Young Adult (20s): Stress the importance of skepticism towards any unexpected online interactions, especially involving sensitive information or login credentials.

• Middle-aged (30s–50s): Remind parents to maintain secure social media habits and remain vigilant against emotionally charged or urgent messages.

• Senior (60+): Support seniors by regularly reviewing basic cybersecurity practices and creating an environment where asking for help is easy and stigma-free.

Wrapping Up – Stay Safe, Stay Savvy

Social media connects us—but also exposes us to scams. Open dialogue with your family can ensure everyone's equipped to identify impostors and protect each other from cyber threats.

And hey, if you’re looking to level-up your family’s phishing detection skills in a super practical way, give HomePhish a try. It’s a friendly phishing simulation tool that lets you safely practice spotting scam emails before the real ones come around. Think of it like a vaccine for email scams – a little safe exposure can build a lot of immunity. HomePhish’s simulations are tailor-made for families, so everyone from teens to grandparents can learn by doing (and maybe share a laugh when someone falls for a fake scam in practice!). No pressure, no tech jargon – just a hands-on way to keep your household one step ahead of the cyber bad guys.