Facebook is asking users not to fall for scams that are being inundated on users’ timelines. Facebook will not ask anyone to pay a monthly subscription to protect their data. There is no need to repost any legal message that appears on your timeline. The most recent version of this scam reads like this…
As of September 28th , 2015 at 10:50p.m. Eastern standard time, I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and or its contents.
The hoax promises to exempt those who repost the legal sounding statement from Facebook’s Data Use Policy, a document that governs how Facebook may use its members’ data that they agree to when they sign up to use the service. However, of course, once approved, the contract cannot be altered by users.
The statement goes on to state that violation of privacy can be punished under the Uniform Commercial Code, a set of laws that govern commercial transactions in the US. However, the section cited in the message deals not with privacy but with contract terms that conflict with certain rights.
Another hoax says users can protect their privacy by purchasing a $5.99 month subscription to ensure that their posts stay private. It reads like this:
Now it’s official! It has been published in the media. Facebook has just released the entry price: $5.99 to keep the subscription of your status to be set to “private.” If you paste this message on your page, it will be offered free (I said paste not share) if not tomorrow, all your posts can become public.
Microsoft
Several of our customers have called asking about “Microsoft tech support” contacting them regarding errors on their computers. The fake company then asks for $699.00 to provide assistance and correct the errors. Unfortunately, one our customers paid the money with a credit card.
After two weeks, the fake company contacted our customer again stating that there had been a problem with the credit card transaction and that the customer needed to wire the $699.00 to them and promised to resolve the issues by making modifications to the computer.
Remember, if you are ever contacted by someone asking for money that you do not owe concerning your computer or online activity, ask them to hold while you contact Frankenstein Computers to ask about the issue.
Frankenstein Computers has been taking care of our happy clients since 1999. We specialize in affordable IT Support, Cyber Security, IT Service, IT Security, Office 365, Cloud, VOIP, SPAM, Wireless, Network Design, MAC repair, PC Repair, Virus Removal, remote support, web design and much more. Check out what our clients have to say about us on Yelp!