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There is a phrase out in the ether of social media where it says; “Don’t let the haters get you down.” I like to say; “Don’t let the hackers get you down.”
A phenomenon has been growing slowly in intensity over the last few years and that is the sophistication and persistence of Social Media Hackers. Or the ‘Doom Patrol’ which, I am sure, is a movie or something.
They are the ‘Doom Patrol’ because that is what they do. Offer doom for you and your page and let you know it could be ‘shut down’ or ‘removed’ so you better click a link the messenger provides. You did this one thing, that is vague and arbitrary and you aren’t even sure what Facebook guideline you crossed.
You didn’t break any guidelines. It’s spam and a possible hacker trying to burrow their way into your backend so they can send you inappropriate content, annoying messages or take your account to sell it back to you.
I have to delete and report these messages constantly. Especially when an account I am running is getting a lot of attention and notice. Sometimes people pretend to be me (or the account I manage) and get people to click a link! This is very common across Tik Tok too where people pretend to be other users and they ‘Select a winner’.
How do you know if it is SPAM or a HACKER?
Across all social media platforms they have the same system for when you do violate a guideline. Which changes all the time, so this allows for hackers and spam to really optimize this scare tactic. The regular protocol a social media platform has is they take something away (your post, your abilities on the platform or suspend your page) and then let you know what you did. The notification will pop-up immediately once you open the app. THIS DOES NOT COME THROUGH YOUR DIRECT MESSAGES.
Which, think about it. If they are the actual social media platform hall monitors then why would they message you where it could get lost? No, they want you to know you messed up. They won’t leave any room for error.
Think of it like a lot of scams. One I had to deal with recently was a text telling me $300 is being withdrawn from my account. Well, when that much money is taken, I get a notification from my bank. So when I get those messages or emails, instead of clicking whatever link and panicking, I go to my bank account.
Look at that. All my money is there. I see no signs of anyone taking money or even the alleged transaction being processed.
The best way to heal from all these hackers and spam is simple; take a breath. Don’t react, just sit and go through this simple process I have applied to myself after getting scammed MULTIPLE times.
Take a breath and then re-read the message assuming it’s a trick
If it is a message through the app’s direct messaging system then disregard it.
If you want to make sure? Check to see if any of your content has actually been removed or flagged by the app.
If you are very worried this might be true, then re-read the community guidelines.
Finally, remember, you can rebuild. If you do get something taken away, you can do it again.
Side Note: This is why having multiple platforms is important so you have another way to update an engaged audience if your account is taken down. I know it may seem hard to find the followers again, but if your audience is engaged? Then they will be looking for you. So get back up and build again after you have taken a few more breaths.
Remember: Doom Patrol has no Control