Ever get surprised by new friend notifications, suspicious offers, or unwanted messages from accounts you don't know? If so, they're probably from spam accounts.

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Spam accounts use a variety of methods to try and get your attention. For example, they may pretend to be attractive person or use the LINE logo to appear like official accounts. 

These accounts often want you to click on a link to make you buy a product or sign up for a paid website. Make sure you never click any links sent by spam accounts!



Is this really a LINE official account? How to spot spam accounts

Sometimes spammers pretend to be legitimate LINE official accounts. While it may be difficult at first glance to know if a spam account is fake, a real LINE official account will always have a green badge next to its name.


If you come across a spam account, report it!

Dealing with spam accounts is simple: If you get a message from one, just tap Report and then Block to say goodbye to the spam account.

▶ What if you friend a spam account by mistake? 
 Spam accounts usually want you to click on a link to make you buy a product or sign up for a paid website. There's no harm if you happen to friend one by mistake. Just go ahead and report and block the spam account as usual.

Open the "V" menu in a chat, go to Settings, then tap Report. After reporting the account, you can block it as well.


What happens when you tap the Report button?

When you tap Report, LINE receives the last 10 messages the account sent to you as well as that account's info. We then review that received data to determine if the account really is a spam account and take appropriate action.

By not just blocking spam accounts, but reporting them too, you help us find spam account operators and keep them from spamming other users.


How do spam accounts reach you?

You may be wondering how strangers are able to friend you in the first place. Spam accounts have a few methods of getting in touch with you.

1. By randomly entering and trying phone numbers
2. By randomly entering and searching IDs
3. Your account may have been inadvertently shared by a friend or fellow group member

While it may feel like that spam accounts are specifically targeting you and know your personal info, in fact spammers typically target large groups of users indiscriminately and are just attempting to appeal to as many users as possible.


How to stay safe

If you ever get a spam message, make sure to report and block the spam account. You can also take extra measures to avoid spam messages if you believe it is necessary.

1. Keep users from automatically friending your account via your phone number
Settings > Friends > Disable the "Allow others to add me" setting

2. Keep users from friending your account via ID searches
Settings > Privacy > Disable the "Allow others to add me by ID" setting

3. Automatically reject messages not sent by your friends
Settings > Privacy > Enable the "Filter messages" setting

Feel free to use these settings to keep spam messages away.

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At LINE, we're working hard every day to make sure your LINE experience is the safest and most secure possible. Stay safe out there!