Attention, Meta Business Managers! Scammers are on the prowl, sending phishing emails disguised as official communications from the Meta for Business Legal Department. These emails typically claim your Facebook page is in violation of copyrighted material from a major company like Walt Disney Studios, and threaten to disable your page if you don’t take immediate action.
Here’s the catch: these emails are phishing attempts. Their goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link or downloading an attachment containing malware that could steal your login credentials or infect your device.
How to Spot a Phony Copyright Claim Email
- Free Email Domain. Legitimate emails from Meta will come from a “@facebook.com” or “@meta.com” address.A sender address ending in “@hotmail.fr” or any other free email domain (e.g., @gmail.com, @yahoo.com) is a red flag.
- Sense of Urgency. Phishing emails often create a sense of panic by threatening immediate account suspension.Meta will follow established procedures for copyright claims, which usually involve notifications within your Business Manager, not urgent emails.
- Suspicious Links or Attachments. Don’t click on any links or download attachments included in the email.
- Vague or Generic Information. The email might not mention the specific copyrighted material in question.
What to Do If You Receive a Phishing Email
- Do not click on any links or attachments.
- Report the email to Meta. You can forward the suspicious email to [email address removed].
- Check for copyright claims within Business Manager. Log in to your Business Manager and navigate to the “Support” section. Legitimate copyright claims will be displayed there.
How to Protect Yourself from Future Phishing Attempts
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your Meta accounts.
- Be Wary of Unsolicited Contact. Meta primarily communicates through notifications within your Business Manager, not unsolicited emails.
- Educate Yourself and Your Team. Regularly remind your team to be cautious of phishing attempts and how to identify them.
By staying vigilant and recognizing these red flags, you can protect your Meta page and your business from falling victim to a phishing scam.
QUICK TIP: When in doubt, don’t click! If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of an email claiming a copyright violation, contact Meta Support directly through official channels within your Business Manager.
Let’s work together to keep our Meta accounts safe!
P.S. Share this post with your fellow Meta Business Managers to help spread awareness and keep our online communities secure.