How to Spot a Dodgy Contact
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become integral to our daily interactions. However, they also serve as fertile grounds for dodgy contacts who might engage in scams, phishing, or other malicious activities. Being able to spot these dodgy contacts is crucial for maintaining your online safety. Here’s a guide to help you spot these dodgy contacts and make an informed decision on whether to interact with them or not.
Warnings flags
If the profile picture has no image or if there is a generic image in the profile picture then that should be cause for concern. A reverse image search can be used to determine whether the image came from another source. If there is a limited amount of content or if there are any inconsistencies in the profile information, that should lead you to question who is behind the account. A legitimate profile usually has a history of posts, photos, and interactions that are consistent over time.
Friend and follower Analysis
A legitimate account will have regular or somewhat regular interactions with their friends and family and will have mutual friends on Facebook. Accounts that seemingly have no interaction with other accounts and who have no mutuals should be considered suspicious and you should be wary of these accounts that reach out with a friend request.
Unsolicited Contact
You should remain alert when you receive any messages that are requesting for you to provide your personal information, passwords and any financial information. If you receive a message claiming to be from Facebook then you should go and check the email linked to your Facebook account and check to see if you’ve gotten an email regarding the message and if not, then it most likely isn’t Facebook. You should also be cautious of clicking on any links that are sent to you, these links could be part of a phishing scam and by clicking on that link you may be granting them access to your information.
Unverified Account
Accounts that are verified prove the legitimacy of the user and it ensures that everyone knows that the verified account is who they say they are. Unverified accounts that pose as other brands can be easily discredited by checking if they have a verification badge and by checking if there are other brands with the same name already verified. This would prove that they are fake accounts and that they have malicious intent.
If something feels off about an account, it often is. Trust your instincts. If you are unsure about a contact, it’s better to remain cautious and to not connect with them. It’s important to stay vigilant on your social media accounts. Regularly updating your privacy settings and being selective about who you connect with, can significantly reduce the risk of encountering these users. Remember, if a profile seems dodgy, do not connect with them. Stay safe and keep your personal information secure.
