The very popular social media platform, Facebook, is great for staying In touch with loved ones, seeing what’s on in the community and of course, sharing what you made for dinner last night.  It must also be used with caution. Here is the experience of one user.

Recently I was ‘tagged’ in a post on Facebook.  You have likely seen the ‘Comment, Share and like our page to be entered into a Prize draw,’ but this particular one was for a sought after PlayStation 5.

Normally I don’t bother with these types of things but I thought hey – got to be in it to win it!

So I commented and shared which is fine, but I couldn’t see the like page Icon, it just said Join.The link was to a company that wasn’t even local, and I’d never heard of them.

Almost Instantly after clicking, I was pulled to an external page where it asked for Name, Address, Date of birth and contact Number, which was all based around the PlayStation 5 Competition. Suddenly I was getting pop-up messages all over the place on my screen, but I managed to get out and sort it out without a major issue.  I dread the day when my own kids are old enough to be going online without me watching their every move. These tempting and amazing things will definitely attract attention.

That’s where I stopped. It dawned on me that many users would have continued to enter their details without thinking. These details can be used by scammers and not necessarily in the next few days but maybe in 2 or 3 months time when you will have forgotten all about the PlayStation that you never won.

Also, with enough personal information gathered you could be a victim of Identity Theft.

I recommend that you update your privacy Settings… only add and accept true friends and family and only like and share local pages and charities that you know are legit.

Don’t give a random person across the world access to you photos and information by accepting their friend request, and don’t fill in any personal details on any website, even if it looks legit.  It costs nothing to ask someone for a second opinion. 

Message to you all if you want to like and share for competitions for amazing things only use local ones that we know really exist and never ask for personal information many family and friends of mine have now been warned – spread the word

Stay safe and watch funny cat videos instead.

If you are worried support is available from the Orkney Scam Action Group on Facebook, if you need help or advice do not hesitate to contact them.

You can also find them on Twitter: @Orkneyscams

OSAG includes:

• Police Scotland
• Orkney Islands Council Trading Standards
• Age Scotland Orkney
• the Citizens Advice Bureau
• the National Farmers Union
• The Business Gateway