How to identify scams like "We've Disabled Your Facebook Account"

What is "We've Disabled Your Facebook Account"?

We have inspected the site and discovered that it is a scam involving a fake Facebook alert. The goal is to deceive unsuspecting visitors into calling the provided number (contacting scammers). Such deceptive schemes are known as technical support scams. They should be avoided and ignored.

"We've Disabled Your Facebook Account" in detail

At first, the site displays a fake message claiming that the user's Facebook account has been disabled for security reasons, suggesting it may have been compromised or violated community standards, and instructs the user to appeal the suspension. After interacting with this deceptive message, another one appears.

The second message claims that Windows Defender has disabled the computer and instructs the user to call Microsoft Windows Support at the provided toll‑free number (+1‑888‑714‑6121) to unlock it. This is a tech support scam, which tries to trick users into believing their computer or account is blocked or compromised.

The fake alert/message urges the user to call a provided phone number for "help" or "support". Once contacted, scammers typically try to steal personal information (e.g., credit card details or login credentials), distribute malware, or demand payment for fake services (or products).

When scammers seek to deliver malware through such scams, they commonly use remote administration tools to do so. Two examples of such scams are UltraViewer and TeamViewer scams.

Similar scams in general

Scams like this use fake warnings to scare users into taking immediate action. They ask users to call a phone number, where scammers try to steal personal info or money, or distribute malware. Sometimes remote access tools are used to take control of the device. The safest action is to ignore these messages and never share personal or financial information.

More examples of similar scams are "Microsoft Has Temporarily Suspended Your Account", "Error_Code: GUI45WGV0001", and "Microsoft Account Locked".

How did I open a scam website?

Scam websites are often accessed via notifications from untrustworthy web pages, ads displayed by adware, or ads, links, and similar content on dubious sites. Deceptive emails containing links or attachments can also be used to trick users into opening fraudulent websites.

Additionally, scams can be promoted using rogue advertising networks. In most cases, these networks are used by torrent, adult, illegal movie streaming, and similar platforms. Sometimes, users can be directed to scams via unwanted browser extensions.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Avoid interacting with emails or messages from unknown senders, especially if they are unexpwcted, irrelevant, and have links or attachments. Do not click on suspicious ads or links encountered on dubious sites, and block notification requests from untrustworthy websites.

Only get apps or programs from official websites or trusted stores. Also, keep your device secure by using reliable antivirus software and regularly updating your operating system and applications. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "We've Disabled Your Facebook Account" pop-up scam (GIF):

Text in the first message (fake Facebook alert):

facebook

We've Disabled Your Facebook Account as a Security Precaution.
It May Have Been Compromised.
Accounts That Violate Our Community Standards or Terms of Service May Be Suspended.

Appeal The Suspension

Text in the second message (fake Windows Defender alert):

Windows Defender Security Has Disabled Your Computer.
Please Contact Microsoft Windows Support To Unlock Your Computer.
Toll Free -+1-888-714-6121

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is We've Disabled Your Facebook Account tech support scam?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

A pop-up scam is a type of online fraud where fake messages or windows appear on a website, often warning that your computer is infected, your account is at risk, you have won a prize, etc.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

These pop-ups try to trick you into clicking a link, calling a phone number, or downloading software, which can steal personal information, install malware, or demand money.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Scam websites are often reached through suspicious notifications, ads, links, or emails that trick users into clicking them. They can also be promoted via rogue ad networks, commonly found on torrent, adult, or illegal streaming sites, and sometimes through unwanted browser extensions.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner is built to scan all websites you visit and identify any that are malicious. It also detects sites that deliver pop-up scams, alerting you right away and blocking access to them.