Scammers Exploit Instagram Account Suspensions: A Small Business Owner’s Experience
Molly Kelly, a 33-year-old proprietor of a spray tan business in Perth, recently experienced a distressing episode after Meta (formerly Facebook) mistakenly suspended both her personal and business Instagram and Facebook accounts. Kelly described the turmoil as overwhelming, impacting her ability to sleep and eat after she abruptly discovered her accounts had been suspended on July 6, without any prior warning.
Kelly is one among several users who have reportedly suffered similar fates at the hands of Meta’s automated moderation technology. Upon receiving an email from Meta alleging a breach of community guidelines concerning "child sexual exploitation, abuse and nudity," Kelly felt a mix of disbelief and disgust, as her account primarily contained images of fully clothed adults. In an attempt to resolve the situation, she promptly appealed the suspension, only to receive a conclusive email less than two hours later stating that her appeal was denied and her accounts would be permanently disabled.
With limited options to resolve the issue directly through Meta, Kelly turned to TikTok to share her plight. This decision led to an influx of messages from purported "experts" claiming they could assist in restoring her accounts. In her vulnerable state, she acknowledged engaging with multiple individuals, paying $110 to the first contact who professed to be affiliated with Meta. Despite warnings from PayPal about the transaction potentially being fraudulent, Kelly proceeded, trusting the man’s assurances of legitimacy.
Her situation took a dire turn when the supposed Meta employee requested further payments to acquire a “software code,” raising alarm bells for Kelly. Realising she had fallen prey to a scam, anxiety surged as he threatened to permanently delete her accounts. Despite refusing to comply, she was subsequently scammed for $300 by another alleged helper, only to be met with more demands for payment. Across several attempts, a total of $620 was lost during her desperate efforts to recover her accounts.
Kelly’s experience is not isolated. Kellie Johnson, who owns a wearable heat pack business, also encountered scammers after her own accounts were suspended. Realising the potential deception, she consulted AI technology for advice, which confirmed her suspicions of a scam. This highlights a worrying trend among small business owners, many of whom are left vulnerable when their social media accounts become inaccessible.
According to Kathy Sundstrom from IDCARE, small business owners’ reliance on social media for promotion places them at significant risk of exploitation by scammers. She warns that nearly all individuals and organisations that claim to restore Meta accounts for a fee are likely fraudulent, especially those who reach out via social media platforms.
Sundstrom further elucidates the tactics employed by scammers, which often include phony communication asserting account suspension and urging users to click links for reinstatement. The danger here lies in inadvertently providing personal credentials to criminals, who can subsequently hijack accounts for illicit activities, such as spreading malware or engaging in fraudulent advertising, including investment scams.
IDCARE statistics reveal alarming figures, showing over 3,600 instances of social media account compromises and 1,900 cases of unauthorised access reported within a recent 12-month period. These incidents underline the growing risk for business owners who often lack the resources to combat such attacks.
In a turn of events, Kelly’s accounts were reinstated after 16 days. However, the impact of the suspension was profound, causing significant financial strain. As her appointment bookings dwindled, Kelly found herself applying for jobs amidst the anxiety of maintaining her livelihood, compounded by the costs of living and recent financial commitments, including a mortgage and a new vehicle.
Despite having reported the scam incidents to social media platforms, Kelly continues to receive unsolicited messages from various accounts, further aggravating her situation. The juxtaposition of honest businesses facing unwarranted suspensions while scammers thrive on the platform illustrates the deeper flaws within Meta’s security and moderation processes.
As a precautionary measure, small business owners who fall victim to scams are encouraged to seek support from organisations like IDCARE, ensuring that they are better equipped to navigate the complexities of social media security.
In summary, Kelly’s story is a cautionary tale of how small businesses, reliant on social media for their operations, can easily become targets for scammers, particularly in times of crisis. The importance of vigilance and skepticism in dealing with the plethora of individuals claiming they can assist in such matters cannot be overstated.
