Report to Facebook / Meta
Last updated March 17, 2026
The short answer
Report fake profiles, scam ads, phishing messages, and hacked accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp
Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. You can report scams, fake profiles, and suspicious messages on any of these platforms. If your account was hacked, Facebook has a dedicated recovery page at facebook.com/hacked. Reporting helps Meta remove scam accounts and protect other users.
What they handle
- Fake profiles impersonating real people or companies
- Scam ads and misleading advertisements
- Phishing messages in Messenger, Instagram DMs, or WhatsApp
- Hacked Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp accounts
- Facebook Marketplace scams (fake listings, non-delivery)
- Romance scams and catfishing across Meta platforms
How to file a report
- 1
Report a profile, page, or post on Facebook
Click the three-dot menu on the profile, page, or post. Select "Find support or report" and follow the prompts. Choose "Scam or fraud" as the reason.
- 2
Report a scam on Instagram
On the profile or post, tap the three-dot menu and select "Report." Choose "It's a scam" or "Fraud or scam." For DMs, open the conversation, tap the name at the top, and select "Report."
- 3
Report on WhatsApp
Open the chat, tap the contact name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Report." You can also block and report at the same time.
- 4
Recover a hacked account
Go to facebook.com/hacked and follow the steps. Facebook will walk you through securing your account, changing your password, and reviewing recent activity.
- 5
Report a Marketplace scam
Go to the listing or conversation, click the three-dot menu, and select "Report." If you made a purchase, also contact your payment provider to dispute the charge.
What you'll need
- The URL or username of the fake profile or scam page
- Screenshots of scam messages, fake listings, or suspicious ads
- Details about what happened and when
- Any payment information or receipts if money was exchanged
- Your account email and phone number (for hacked account recovery)
What to expect
Meta reviews reports and may remove content or accounts that violate their policies. You'll usually get a notification about the outcome within a few days, though some reviews take longer. For hacked accounts, facebook.com/hacked walks you through recovery step by step. Meta won't recover money lost in scams, so contact your bank or payment provider separately for that.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recover a hacked Facebook account?
Go to facebook.com/hacked right away. Facebook will guide you through verifying your identity, changing your password, and reviewing recent login activity. Enable two-factor authentication once you regain access to prevent it from happening again.
Does reporting a scam on Facebook actually do anything?
Yes. Meta uses reports to take down fake profiles, scam pages, and fraudulent ads. The more people who report the same account, the faster it gets removed. Your report also helps Meta's automated systems learn to catch similar scams.
Can I report a scam on Instagram and WhatsApp the same way?
The process is similar on all Meta platforms. On Instagram, tap the three-dot menu on a profile or post and select "Report." On WhatsApp, open the chat, tap the contact name, and select "Report." Each platform has its own reporting flow, but they all feed into Meta's review system.
Company guides this covers
Reporting works better when you know which scam you were hit by. These are the company guides this reporting route covers.