Facebook friend request warning message is fake

MIAMI – If you’re a frequent Facebook user, chances are at least one of your friends has sent you a message warning you not to accept a friend request from Jayden K. Smith.

There’s no need to forward the message or be concerned about a friend request from Mr. Smith because the message is a hoax.

If you haven't received the fake warning yet, consider yourself lucky. But, here's what to look for:

"Please tell all the contacts in your messenger list not to accept Jayden K. Smith friendship request. He is a hacker and has the system connected to your Facebook account. If one of your contacts accepts it, you will also be hacked, so make sure that all your friends know it. Thanks. Forwarded as received. Hold your finger down on the message. At the bottom in the middle it will say forward. Hit that then click on the names of those in your list and it will send to them."

The message isn’t entirely new. In fact, several versions of it have circulated on social media for years.
People may think they’re helping their friends by forwarding the message, but in reality, they are only perpetuating the hoax (and probably annoying their more savvy friends in the process).

The fact-checking website Snopes says “Accepting a Facebook friend request from a stranger will not provide hackers with access to your computer and online accounts.’’

While "friending" someone won't give them the ability to hack into your account, it is still recommended that you not accept friend requests from people you don’t know because you are giving them access to whatever personal pictures and information you may post.

While the hoax message isn't exactly helping any of your friends, the fake message has provided fodder for snarky Twitter users which could at least give them a laugh: