RCMP are warning of a scam currently circulating on social media involving fake posts of missing persons in hopes of gaining access to personal information.

The posts commonly circulate on local buy and sell Facebook pages and will often claim that there is a person missing from the area – usually a child, or a police officer.

Those types of fake posts are very common throughout North America say RCMP and have been appearing in buy and sell groups in this province as well.

One such post in the Placentia Buy & Sell suggests that a police officer is missing.

RCMP warn that every time that type of post is shared or if you comment on it, the scammer can gain access to your account information, including your friends list. Then the information can be used to clone an account or scam friends.

RCMP are advising Facebook users to report scam posts to Facebook by clicking on the three dots on the upper right hand of the post.

Valid missing persons information will be posted on legitimate law enforcement social media platforms by local police.