Glenmont man’s Facebook friend out $880 after hacking scam
A Glenmont man’s Facebook account was hacked during the holidays. His Facebook friend fell for the scammer’s tricks. Now she’s out $880.
The man’s post said he was selling six Buffalo Bills season tickets. However, he wasn’t the one who posted it.
Both parties wanted to remain anonymous for this 13Investigates report, but wanted our viewers to be aware of this scam as we get closer to the Super Bowl.
Facebook even alerted him in an email that someone logged into his account near Jacksonville, Florida. The attempts to secure his account didn’t work, the hacker still got through. That’s when the posts started popping up.
The Slingerlands woman sent a direct message to the person, who she thought was her Facebook friend. She said she was interested in buying those tickets. She first sent $380 through Apple Cash, then another $500. She was then asked to send $300 more for a parking pass and a ticket transfer fee. That’s when she got curious.
The woman told 13Investigates there were red flags at every turn, but still trusted it because she thought it was her Facebook friend.
She also called the Buffalo Bills ticket box office, who told her they never charge for a ticket transfer. That’s when the woman called Bethlehem Police, and filed a police report.
The man then got a visit from an officer at his Glenmont home. He told police his account was hacked, and he got text messages from various friends asking about those supposed Buffalo Bills tickets. He told them he’s not selling anything. The man apologized for the incident happening and the officer left.
The man told 13Investigates he reported the hack to the Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General’s Office. The woman is now disputing $880 with her bank.
After several attempts to reach Facebook about this scam, the company has not returned calls or emails to 13Investigates.
If you find yourself in this, report it to authorities, and fight the charge.