Stay safe online with these simple checks.
As businesses grow their online presence, cybercriminals constantly look for ways to take advantage, especially by sending emails that look almost identical to legitimate messages from companies like Meta, PayPal, Microsoft, or your bank.
Recently, I experienced one of the most common scams myself.
My Experience: A “Meta” Email That Wasn’t Meta
Every time I boost a Facebook or Instagram post using Meta Ads, the following day I often receive an email claiming:
“Your ad is restricted. Your Meta account risks being disabled.”
The email looks very real same logo, same branding, and even the same writing style.
One day, one of my ads was actually delayed and, without thinking, I clicked the link. It took me to a form asking for my details. While filling it out, a thought hit me:
“Doesn’t Meta already have this information?”
That’s when I realised I had clicked a phishing link.
I immediately closed it and luckily avoided giving away my details.
This experience reminded me how easy it is to fall for scams, even when you think you know better.
How to Identify a Scam Email
Scammers are getting smarter, but a few small checks can protect you from 99% of fake emails.
✔️ 1. Check the REAL email address
Not the label (the name that appears), but the actual email address.
- Legit: notifications@meta.com
- Fake: account-security@meta-support.xyz
- Fake: meta.ads.review@gmail.com
Always look at the part after @. If the domain is not the official company URL — it’s a scam.
✔️ 2. Check the link before clicking
Hover over any button or link (on mobile hold your finger on it gently).
Check where it’s really going:
- Legit: https://www.meta.com/*
- Fake: https://meta-check-secure.com/*
- Fake: https://secure-login-review.info/*
- Fake: https://random-domain/ads-resolution
If the link does not take you to the official company website, do NOT click it.
✔️ 3. Be suspicious of urgent threats
Scammers LOVE pressure.
Look out for lines like:
- “Your account will be permanently suspended in 24 hours.”
- “Immediate action required!”
- “Your ad is restricted, click here to resolve.”
Legitimate companies rarely use fear-based wording.
✔️ 4. Ask yourself:
Would the company already have this information?
This one question saved me from entering sensitive data.
Meta, banks, and large companies already know your details.
They will never ask you to re-enter passwords, credit card numbers, or ID information via email.
✔️ 5. When in doubt — log in directly
Never use links in the email.
Instead:
- Open your browser
- Type the company’s official website manually
- Log in
- Check for any alerts
If nothing appears in your dashboard — the email was a scam.
🚫 What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email
🔒 1. Do NOT click links
Even one click can trigger malware or trackers.
🗑️ 2. Delete the email immediately
Don’t reply or engage.
🧹 3. Clear your browser cache (optional but safe)
🔐 4. Change your password if you accidentally clicked a scam link
Especially if you entered any details.
🛡️ 5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
This blocks most account-takeover attempts.
📣 6. Report the scam
Meta, Google, Microsoft, PayPal, and banks all have “Report phishing” departments.
💡 Final Advice
Cyber scammers are getting smarter — but staying safe is simple when you know what to look for.
- Always check the real sender address
- Always verify the website URL
- Think before you click
- Log in directly instead of using email links
If something feels off, it probably is.
Stay safe. Stay alert. And never let urgency force you into clicking too fast.
Ex – Scam email we received
