Dangerous Facebook scam tugs at the heartstrings

A Facebook scam involving emotional and heartbreaking posts are taking your personal data and putting your computer security at risk. These "like-farming" scams will post pictures of children with cancer or ones who are in desperate need of medical attention, and say that Facebook will donate money with a certain amount of likes, shares, and comments. The scammers that use these tactics will take advantage of the user's interaction as a gateway to collect and sell personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned about the scam back in 2015, but it has since resurfaced. The BBB said that once the page creators collect enough likes and shares, they may strip the page to promote other things, such as a product they will receive commissions for selling. Facebook warns people to watch out for post that claim someone has a serious disease and needs money for surgery, claim that Facebook has decided to help and donate money in exchange for likes and shares, or ask the user to comment "Amen."