By Chelsea Meyer
    B103 Rockford
    Rock River Current newsletter

    ROCKFORD — Scams on Facebook have been common lately, not just nationally but right here in the Stateline area.

    This can happen when people create fake accounts or hack into existing Facebook accounts or pages that you’ve liked.

    These skilled scammers then use these fake or compromised accounts to trick you into giving them money or sharing your personal information.

    One Rockford woman lost access to her Facebook, Cash App and had money stolen from her bank account. Now she’s warning others to take precaution when sending information online, even if you think that person is your friend.

    Catie McGuire said she received a message from her friend on Facebook asking her if she wanted to make some extra money flipping $100 into $1,500 or $300 into $3,500 via Cash App.

    “I didn’t trust the message, but I got an email from Cash App asking me to update my accounts. I have had Cash App on my phone but never used it for two years. Like maybe one time used it. So I stupidly responded to the email ‘updating’ my debit card and email and phone number,” McGuire said. “They asked me to send a video saying it was real and trust the process. A couple hours later my entire bank account was drained.”

    Related: Better Business Bureau warns of back-to-school scams

    The scammers who hacked her Facebook took more than $1,000 from McGuire’s debit card that was linked to her Cash App. The money was turned into Bitcoin and transferred out of her account. She was then locked out of her Cash App, Facebook and messenger.

    “I see them trying to do the same thing to all my friends and family. It has really caused me a lot of stress and anxiety and heartache,” McGuire said. “It sucks that we have to be so paranoid and weary of anything received online anymore. You can’t trust anyone.”

    McGuire also warns others to be very careful and mindful about what information you are putting out there.

    “People are so smart at scamming these days, everything looks so real,” she said. “I said to my friend the other day if these people worked hard at a real job like they do at scamming, they would be millionaires. Check and double check who and where gets your personal and banking info.”

    BBB scam warning

    The Better Business Bureau says there are several scams circulating on social media that aim to get access to your Cash App, Venmo or other bank info. The organization offers tips on how you can prevent your account from getting hacked. You can see that advice HERE.


    This article is by Chelsea Meyer. She can be reached at chelsea@b103fm.com

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