My friend online is acting odd. Could it be a scam?
Check with your friend through a separate contact you already have.
A friend can write in an odd way for many reasons. The message could also come from a copied or stolen account.
You do not need to accuse your friend or judge their writing. Check the request through a separate, known contact.
For example, a request for your sign-in code is not needed to help a friend. Keep that code private.
- Pause requests for money, gift card codes, links or account access.
- Call a number you saved before the strange message, or speak in person. Do not use a new number from that chat.
- Ask whether they sent that specific request. A familiar voice by itself is not enough.
- If you cannot reach them, leave the request on hold and try another known contact.
- If the account was taken over, tell your friend through the separate channel. They can use the platform's official recovery process.
Draft a kind message for a friend's known phone number: I got an odd request from their social account and want to check it. Use placeholders. Do not include a code, money transfer or accusation.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
Check the request, even when the account name and profile photo are familiar.
Sources and more help
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