Money scams on Facebook: fake giveaways, hacked friends and investment tips
Quick answer
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.
- Comes by
- Social media, Text, Website
- Pretends to be
- Last updated
How it works
The FTC describes a pattern that shows up again and again on social media. Scammers impersonate real winners or offer "free money", then ask for a fee for "taxes", "shipping and handling" or "processing" before the prize arrives. Anyone who asks you to pay such a fee to get a prize is a scammer.
Another version looks like it comes from someone you trust. A friend's account posts screenshots of bank balances and says they can teach you to make money quickly with little to no risk. The FTC says that's likely an investment scam: there are no guaranteed returns and no investments without risk. The friend's account may have been hijacked, or the profile may be a copy.
Whatever the story, the payment request is the giveaway. Scammers push gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps, and add urgency or threats such as losing your account.
Red flags
- A prize or "free money" that requires you to pay a fee first
- A friend who suddenly posts about making quick money with little or no risk
- Screenshots of bank balances or big payouts used as proof
- Only gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps accepted
- Pressure to act now, or a threat that you'll lose your account
- A message from a friend asking for money that you can't confirm another way
Example message
Hey, did you see this? I turned a small amount into a lot of money last week with a program I found. I can show you how, just message me. Send a small starting amount here: [link].
What to do
- 1
Stop and verify the person another way
If a friend's message asks for money or pushes an investment, call or text them outside Facebook. Messages can come from hacked accounts.
- 2
Don't pay a fee to claim a prize
Real prizes don't cost money to receive. Don't send gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment-app transfers to someone who asked for one.
- 3
Report it on Facebook
Use Report post on a post. On a profile, tap the three dots under the cover photo and choose Find support or report profile. In Messenger, open the person's name and choose Something's Wrong. Take a screenshot first.
- 4
If you paid, contact your bank or card provider now
Ask them to dispute or stop the payment, and save receipts and screenshots. Tell the friend whose account was copied or hijacked, so they can warn others.
- 5
If you shared a password or card details, lock things down
Change your Facebook password and any account where you reused it, turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your statements. Our guide on what to do after a data breach has the steps.
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 pick targets from public profiles, friend lists and leaked data, then use real names and details to sound credible. Your phone number, address and email are often listed together on people-search sites, and they show up in breaches. Serus finds where your details are listed and removes them, and alerts you when your data appears in a breach, so scammers have less to build a story with.
More Facebook scams
Frequently asked
My friend messaged me about making money on Facebook. Is it real?
Treat it as a scam until you've confirmed it by phone. The FTC says a friend suddenly posting about quick, low-risk money is likely an investment scam, and the account may have been hijacked.
Is it normal to pay a fee to receive a prize?
No. The FTC says anyone who asks you to pay a fee for taxes, shipping and handling, or processing to get a prize is a scammer.
Should I forward a scam text too?
If it came by text, you can forward it to 7726 (SPAM) so your carrier can look into it, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
I already paid. What now?
Contact your bank or card provider right away to dispute the charge, then report it to the FTC and IC3. Quick action gives you the best chance of stopping a transfer.
Sources
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/05/free-money-social-media-nah-its-scam
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/can-you-spot-investment-scam-social-media
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/slow-your-scroll-spot-avoid-social-media-giveaway-scams
- facebook.com/fb-answers/how-to-report-scams-online/
- facebook.com/help/messenger-app/1674717642789671
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