Facebook / Meta scams
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
Facebook scams include account hacking, fake profiles impersonating friends, phishing links in Messenger, and fraudulent ads. Scammers hack accounts and message the victim's friends asking for money or spreading malicious links. Facebook will never ask for your password via message or email.
With nearly 3 billion monthly users, Facebook is one of the most targeted platforms for scams. Beyond Marketplace fraud, scammers hack accounts to impersonate real users, create fake profiles to build trust, run phishing campaigns through Messenger, and promote fraudulent ads. Account takeover is especially damaging because scammers use your existing relationships to deceive your friends and family.
How Facebook / Meta scams work
- 1
Account takeover via phishing
You receive a message or email that looks like it's from Facebook saying your account will be disabled. You click the link and enter your login credentials on a fake page. The scammer now controls your account and messages your contacts.
- 2
Friend impersonation
A scammer creates a duplicate profile using a friend's name and photos, then sends you a friend request. Once connected, they message you with an urgent request for money or send a malicious link claiming "Is this you in this video?"
- 3
Messenger phishing links
A hacked account sends messages to friends with links like "Look who died" or "Is this your video?" Clicking the link leads to a fake Facebook login page or installs malware on your device.
- 4
Fraudulent Facebook ads
Scammers run paid ads promoting fake online stores, investment schemes, or celebrity-endorsed products. The ads lead to convincing websites that take your money and never deliver, or collect your payment information for fraud.
Warning signs
- A friend sends an unusual message asking for money or containing a suspicious link
- You receive a friend request from someone you're already friends with
- An email says your Facebook account will be disabled unless you click a link immediately
- You're tagged in a post with a link that says "OMG is this you?"
- A Facebook ad offers products at impossibly low prices or guaranteed investment returns
- You get locked out of your account and your friends report receiving strange messages from you
Examples
"Is this you in this video?" message from a friend
Your friend's hacked account sends you a Messenger message: "OMG is this you? ๐" with a link. The link takes you to a page that looks like Facebook asking you to log in to view the video. After entering your credentials, your account is also compromised and the same message is sent to all your contacts.
Fake Facebook account recovery email
An email from "Facebook Security" warns that someone tried to log into your account from Russia. It asks you to click "Secure My Account" to change your password. The link leads to a fake Facebook page that captures your current password and email.
What to do
- If your account was hacked, go to facebook.com/hacked to begin the recovery process.
- Change your password immediately from a trusted device and enable two-factor authentication.
- Review and remove any apps or sessions you don't recognize in Settings > Security and Login.
- Warn your friends that your account was compromised so they ignore suspicious messages.
- Report fake profiles, scam ads, and phishing messages directly through Facebook's reporting tools.
Report it to Facebook / Meta
Report the account or message in-app, and recover a stolen account at facebook.com/hacked.
Getting your money back
If your Facebook account is compromised, visit facebook.com/hacked immediately. Facebook will walk you through securing your account and reviewing recent activity. Enable two-factor authentication and remove unrecognized devices. If you lost money through a Facebook ad scam, dispute the charge with your credit card company and report to the FTC.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Facebook account was hacked?
Signs include friends receiving messages you didn't send, login alerts from unknown locations, posts you didn't make, or being unable to log in. Check Settings > Security and Login to see active sessions and log out of any you don't recognize.
Can I get my hacked Facebook account back?
Yes. Go to facebook.com/hacked and follow the recovery steps. You'll need access to the email or phone number on the account. If the scammer changed those, Facebook has an identity verification process where you can submit a photo ID.
Are Facebook ads regulated for scams?
Facebook reviews ads, but scammers constantly create new accounts and bypass filters. Be skeptical of ads offering deals that seem too good to be true. Research the company independently before purchasing from any Facebook ad.
Other companies scammers impersonate
Scams reuse their scripts across brands. If you were contacted about Facebook / Meta, these are the guides worth reading next.