Facebook Scams: VHPD Learns Of Hacked Accounts

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The Vestavia Hills Police Department has received reports in the last few months of Facebook accounts being hacked and friends and family being asked for money fraudulently.

The VHPD reported via social media that people are receiving posts or private messages from people they know stating that" if you have an active bank account you can get $4500-$9500 in 20 seconds," and asking for bank account numbers.

"Their family/friends are messaging these individuals asking if it is legit, the scammer replies 'yes, what bank do you use I’ll have my people contact you,'" The statement from VHPD said. "Once they receive the banking information someone calls them from an Illinois number stating they are from that bank and need their username/password/account number to file for a grant. The scammer is logging into the members account, depositing funds via various ways, then telling the member to send these funds to them using Square Cash, Cash App, Walmart Pay, or Western Union."

Vestavia police say not to release any banking information over the telephone or via social media. "It is a good practice to do your banking in person or on your bank's website," the statement said.

Anyone who has experienced this scam is asked to contact the VHPD at 205-978-0140 .