08/16/2026
⚠️SCAM ALERT: There's a common scam on Facebook that preys on your emotions...
It starts with a heartbreaking post about an injured pet, a missing child, or an elderly person. You want to help, so you share the post. But once you do, the scammer changes the original post to something deceptive, like a contest, a product promotion or something much worse.
To combat these spam posts, always verify the source. If a post comes from a buy-and-sell group or a sketchy website, it's likely a scam.
Genuine posts will have consistent updates, a contact number, a name, and a police agency to contact. Another red flag is if comments are turned off.
If in doubt, research the original poster. Many scammers have newly created Facebook accounts and block comments to avoid being exposed. Always verify before sharing and encourage others to do the same.
Report suspicious posts and educate others about the risks of sharing unverified information. By staying vigilant, we can help prevent misinformation and ensure real alerts get the attention they deserve.