BBB warning: Be careful of Facebook quizzes

By Mindy Eaton | Director of Communication & Marketing, BBBFebruary 6, 2019

BBB warning: Be careful of Facebook quizzes
Facebook quizzes can be lots of fun! You simply answer a few questions to find out what city you should live in or what TV show character you are most like. But are you revealing too much information? the Better Business Bureau serving Louisville, So... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Facebook quizzes can be lots of fun! You simply answer a few questions to find out what city you should live in or what TV show character you are most like. But are you revealing too much information? The Better Business Bureau serving Louisville, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky is warning consumers to be careful when answering and sharing these quizzes.

How the Scam Works

You see a fun quiz posted by your friend on your news feed. The quiz revealed what city your friend should live in or what TV show character they are most like. You click the link to take the quiz as well, but you end up sharing a lot more information than you thought. So, how do you tell the difference between harmless fun and a scammer gathering information?

What to watch out for:

• Privacy settings. If you haven't already, make sure to adjust your Facebook privacy settings to a level you are comfortable with. Take a look at your personal information that is visible to the public versus your friends.

• Check the source. Does the quiz come from a reliable, trustworthy source? Or does the quiz require that you grant a third-party application to access your Facebook profile? Granting this type of permission may give the application access to your personal data, like your workplace details, photos, and your location.

• Read the questions carefully. What types of questions is the quiz asking? Beware of common security questions, like your mother's maiden name, the name of your first pet, or the name of the street you grew up on. Scammers may use this information to access your other accounts.

For more consumer tips, visit bbb.org or call 1 (800) 388-2222.

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