Free iPhone scam on Facebook

A new scam is tempting users to click on links on Facebook profiles to claim a free iPhone. [7 October 2010]

If users click on the link, they allow scammers access to the personal information on their profile. It also posts a message to the victim’s profile, which could be:

Free iPhone 4 Facebook scam“Anyone want my old phone? Claimed my free iPhone today, so happy lol.. If anyone else wants one go here: [link]”

or

“Just testing Facebook for iPhone out :P Received my free iPhone today, so happy lol.. If anyone else wants one go here: [link]”.

These messages spread the scam message further, increasing the number of people at risk of becoming victims.

Don’t fall for Facebook scams

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never click on links that you can’t verify. Action Fraud is also reminding Facebook users that ‘liking’ unverified Facebook pages and allowing access to personal information via social networking websites like Facebook can result in identity theft and fraud.

Anyone aware of scammers operating on Facebook should report it directly to Facebook, using the 'report' links near the content. Anyone who has lost money as a result of fraud taking place online, or via any other medium, can report it to Action Fraud.

Read more about the free iPhone Facebook scam on Sophos’ website.

Please note: Action Fraud is not responsible for the content on external websites.

To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.

See also:

Scam LinkedIn emails

Facebook scam - 10 things adults never tell their kids

Shocking hidden message in Coca Cola logo - Facebook scam