Facebook scams: how to spot fake messages, Marketplace and friend requests
Quick answer
Facebook scams include fake friend requests, hacked-friend messages, Marketplace buyers and sellers who want payment outside Facebook, and warnings that your account will be disabled. Don't click or pay. Check with the person another way, and report it in Facebook and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Comes by
- Social media, Text, Email, Website, Ad
- Pretends to be
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers use Facebook because it shows them who your friends are and what you post. They want money, your login, or payment and card details.
Common versions:
- Fake or cloned friend requests. You get a request from someone you already know, or from a stranger who then messages you. The FTC says a message from a friend or family member may come from a hacked account, so don't answer requests for money or personal information without checking.
- Hacked-friend messages. A real friend's account is taken over and messages you with a link or a plea for money.
- Marketplace buyers and sellers. A seller offers a price that's too good, or a buyer sends a check or payment and asks for money back. The FTC warns against depositing a check for more than the asking price and against accepting payments from strangers. Facebook's Purchase Protection only applies to purchases made through Facebook checkout, not local pickup or peer-to-peer payments such as PayPal, Venmo or payments in Messenger.
- Fake account warnings. A message or email says your page will be deleted or disabled and gives a link to "appeal". The link steals your password.
- Investment and giveaway messages. The FTC says unexpected social media messages about investing are almost always scams.
- Recovery offers. After a scam, someone offers to get your account or money back for a fee.
Payment demands by gift card, crypto or wire are a strong sign of a scam.
Red flags
- A message from a friend asking for money or a code, especially if you can't reach them another way
- A Marketplace price far below normal, or a seller who wants payment outside Facebook
- A buyer who sends a check or payment for too much and asks you to send the difference back
- A warning that your account will be disabled with a link to "appeal"
- An unexpected message about an investment or a prize
- A request to pay by gift card, crypto, wire or a payment app
Example message
Is this you in this video?? [link]. Or: Hi, I'm interested in your listing. I'll send payment through [payment app] and my courier will pick it up, I just need your email to send the request.
What to do
- 1
Stop replying and don't click
Don't open the link or send money, a code or personal details. Block the account.
- 2
Check with the person another way
If a friend's account messaged you, call or text them on a number you already have. If their account is hacked, they should follow Facebook's steps to secure it.
- 3
Report it in Facebook
Report the profile, message or listing in the app. Facebook asks you to report suspected scams rather than respond.
- 4
If you paid, contact your bank or card issuer now
Say it was fraud and ask to stop or reverse the payment. If you used Facebook checkout, contact the seller first, then file a Purchase Protection claim with Facebook if it isn't resolved.
- 5
If you gave your password, secure the account
Change the Facebook password and any account that uses it, turn on two-factor authentication and check logged-in devices.
- 6
Ignore anyone offering to recover your money
Recovery offers after a scam are another scam.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers find targets from public profiles, but they also buy phone numbers, emails and home addresses from people-search sites and breach dumps, which lets them link a Facebook name to the rest of your life. Serus finds where your details are listed and removes them, and alerts you when your data turns up in a breach. See our guide on data brokers for how your data gets there.
Common Facebook scams
- Facebook Messenger scam A Messenger message asking for money, a code, your password or a click on a link is likely a scam, even if it comes from a friend's account. Don't reply or click. Check with the friend another way, report the chat in Messenger, and file at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if you lost money.
- Facebook money scam Anyone on Facebook who asks you to pay a fee to get a prize, or a friend who suddenly posts a way to make quick money with no risk, is almost certainly a scammer or a hijacked account. Don't pay. Call the friend, report the post, and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Facebook verification code scam Anyone who asks you for a verification code is a scammer. The code is only for you to log in. Don't share it, don't click links in messages claiming to be from Facebook, and report the message.
- Fake Facebook email scam A Facebook email that threatens to disable your account unless you click a link is likely phishing. Facebook says it won't ask for your password by email. Don't click, check the sender domain and report it to phish@fb.com.
- Messenger scam A Messenger message from a friend asking for money, or with a link to claim money, may come from a hacked account. Don't click or pay. Call your friend on a number you know, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Facebook Marketplace buyer scam A buyer who sends a check you must deposit before shipping, pushes you to be paid off-platform, or asks for a code or your details is a scammer. Don't deposit a check and send money back, and don't give out codes. Report the buyer to Facebook and the FTC.
- Facebook Marketplace scam Act fast. How you paid decides your options: call your bank or card issuer for a card payment, contact the payment app, and file a claim if you used Facebook checkout. Report it to the FTC and Facebook. Anyone offering to recover your money for a fee is running a second scam.
- Facebook Marketplace scam On Facebook Marketplace, scammers pose as buyers who send fake payment notices or ask for a refund of an "overpayment", and as sellers with too-good prices who want payment outside the platform. Meet locally, don't share verification codes, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Facebook Messenger code scam If a Facebook friend messages you asking for a code, they're probably not your friend. The FTC says anyone who asks for your verification code is a scammer. Don't send it, call your friend another way, report the message and block the sender.
- Facebook scam recovery If you got scammed on Facebook, act in this order: contact the bank or app you paid with, secure your account if it was hacked, then report the scam to Facebook and to the FTC (US) or Action Fraud (UK). The sooner you ask, the better the chance of getting money back.
Frequently asked
Is Facebook a scam?
No. Facebook is a real company, and scammers abuse it by posting fake listings and impersonating people. Facebook asks users to report suspected scams.
Does Facebook protect me if I get scammed on Marketplace?
Purchase Protection covers purchases made through Facebook checkout, not local pickup or peer-to-peer payments such as PayPal, Venmo or payments in Messenger. Check Facebook's current policy before you rely on it.
A friend asked me for money on Facebook. What now?
Call them on a number you already have. The FTC says a message from a friend's account may be from a hacker.
Where do I report a Facebook scam?
Report it in Facebook, then at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
Sources
- facebook.com/help/1674717642789671
- facebook.com/help/228307904608701
- meta.com/safety/scam-protection-center/marketplace-trust-safety/
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/friend-request-could-be-scammer
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/07/selling-stuff-online-heres-how-avoid-scam
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/06/unexpected-messages-social-media-about-investing-are-almost-always-scams
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