Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are widely used for communication, business, and entertainment. However, scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick users into giving up their account credentials. One such scam involves fake policy violation messages that claim your page has violated Meta’s guidelines. These messages often come with a Final Notice warning and a malicious link, attempting to steal your account access.
How the Scam Works
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Receiving a Fake Notice
- You receive a message or a comment on your post stating:"Final Notice: Policy Violation. Your page has been found in violation of Meta’s terms. If you do not take action within 24 hours, your page will be permanently deleted."
- The message looks professional and includes a Meta Compliance Team signature, making it seem legitimate.
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Clicking on the Link
- The message contains a malicious link, claiming to take you to an appeal form.
- Once you click, it redirects you to a fake website that looks similar to Facebook’s official page.
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Request to Enter Cookies ID & UID
- The website instructs you to open Inspect Element in Chrome and find your Cookies & User ID (UID) from the Application tab.
- Then, it asks you to copy and paste these values into the website.
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Account Gets Hacked
- Once you submit the details, hackers gain full access to your Facebook account.
- They can steal personal data, lock you out, or misuse your account for scams, fraud, or illegal activities.
How to Identify & Avoid the Scam
- Meta Never Asks for Cookies or UID
- Facebook and Instagram never ask users to provide Cookies ID, UID, or any confidential details.
- Check the Link Carefully
- Official Meta URLs end with facebook.com or instagram.com.
- Avoid clicking on links with suspicious domains like fb-secure.com, meta-policy.com, etc.
- Verify Messages on Your Facebook Account
- If Meta has any issues with your page, you will receive an official notification in your Facebook Support Inbox, not in comments or messages.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Always use 2FA for added security to prevent unauthorized logins.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen for the Scam?
- Immediately Change Your Password
- Go to Settings > Security > Change Password.
- Revoke Unauthorized Sessions
- Log out of all devices from the Facebook Security and Login settings.
- Report to Facebook
- Visit Facebook’s official support page and report your hacked account.
- Monitor Your Account for Unusual Activity
- If you notice unknown posts or messages, secure your account and inform your contacts.
Cybercriminals are becoming more advanced in their tactics, and fake Meta policy violation scams are one of their latest tricks. Always stay vigilant, never share Cookies ID or UID, and report suspicious messages immediately. Awareness and caution are the best defenses against such frauds. Stay safe online!
