Facebook scams are not just annoying. Many of them are financially devastating, emotionally manipulative, and increasingly sophisticated. Scammers now use cloned accounts, AI-generated images, and stolen personal data to make fraud feel real and urgent.
What makes these scams dangerous is not how obvious they are, but how believable they’ve become.
Meta estimates that its systems display approximately 15 billion deceptive advertisements annually. The company also has internal data that estimates that fraudulent advertising generates about $7 billion per year for Meta. However, the company projects that potentially 10% of total gross ad revenue ($16 billion in 2024) could be generated by fraudulent ads, prohibited products, and other scams.
Here are 14 Facebook scams to watch out for so you don’t become a victim.
Facebook is owned by Meta, but scammers often impersonate both.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook scams rely on urgency, emotion, and trust to bypass rational decision-making
- Many scams come from hacked or cloned accounts, not strangers
- Requests for money, gift cards, crypto, or login codes are major red flags
- Scammers increasingly use AI, look-alike websites, and fake platforms
- Awareness and verification are the strongest defenses
1. Charity and Donation Scams
Charity and donation scams exploit goodwill, especially during disasters, medical emergencies, or humanitarian crises. Scammers create fake charity pages, fake medical fundraisers, or fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns that appear legitimate. These scams often rely on emotional stories and urgent language to pressure victims into making quick donations, sometimes requesting cryptocurrency payments or directing victims to PayPal scams and look-alike websites that mimic real charities.
Before donating, always verify organizations using trusted resources such as the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar. Never donate directly through social media links without independently confirming the charity, as many fake websites are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate ones.
2. Cloned and Hacked Accounts
Cloned and hacked accounts are used to impersonate people you trust. Scammers duplicate profiles using stolen photos and personal details or take over real accounts through malware links, phishing, or leaked data from the dark web. Once inside, they send messages asking for money, sharing fake contests or giveaways, or requesting sensitive personal information.
Victims are often tricked into sharing two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, allowing full account takeover. Some scams escalate to Facebook Live fraud, where scammers broadcast fake emergencies to pressure friends into sending money. These attacks frequently lead to identity theft and spread rapidly through trusted networks.
3. Fake Coupons and Discount Offers
Fake coupons and discount offers lure users with massive savings from what appear to be official companies. These scams rely on fake ads, coupon codes, or links to fake stores or suspicious e-commerce websites. Clicking these links may install malware, redirect to bogus apps, or steal payment details through payment apps or gift card requests.
In many cases, victims receive a counterfeit item or nothing at all. Legitimate brands rarely distribute extreme discounts through unsolicited social media ads or messages.
4. Fake Prizes and Giveaways
Fake prizes and giveaways claim you’ve won a lottery, contest, or exclusive promotion. These messages often arrive via direct Facebook messages, fake Facebook pages, or spoofed company pages using fake company names. Victims are asked to pay processing or advance fees or submit gift card requests before receiving the prize.
Some scams redirect users to external websites or survey scams designed to collect personal information. Real giveaways do not require payment or the submission of sensitive data to claim winnings.
5. Impersonation and Spoofing Attacks
Impersonation and spoofing attacks involve scammers posing as trusted individuals, brands, or organizations. This includes fake friend requests, fake profiles posing as people you know, or fake brand accounts that mimic real companies. Some scams even impersonate celebrities or well-known figures to gain credibility.
Fake celebrity endorsements (e.g., Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Cathie Wood) account for a high share of deceptive ads, which typically direct users to WhatsApp groups where they can participate in pump-and-dump schemes. As of the last available information, social media accounts for approximately 50% of reported contacts related to investment scams.
Victims may encounter spoofing attacks where scammers pretend to be Facebook itself, claiming account violations or urgent security issues. These attacks are designed to trick users into revealing login credentials or sending money.
6. Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams
Investment and cryptocurrency scams promise high returns with little or no risk. These scams may involve fake cryptocurrency exchanges, underpriced luxury items tied to crypto payments, or long-term manipulation tactics such as the pig butchering scam, in which trust is built over time before funds are drained.
Often, scammers ask victims for their personal information or encourage them to invest in enticing investment opportunities that involve bitcoin or other volatile assets. Legitimate investing never guarantees profits and never pressures immediate action.
7. Job and Employment Scams
Job and employment scams target people seeking flexible or work-from-home opportunities. Scammers pose as recruiters offering a high-paying job opportunity with exceptional benefits. Victims are asked to provide personal information, including a Social Security number, or to pay upfront fees for training or equipment.
These bogus job scams often result in online security breaches or identity theft. Legitimate employers do not ask for money or sensitive data before hiring.
8. Loan and Financial Assistance Scams
Loan and financial assistance scams offer instant loans, low interest rates, or “free money” from government programs. Victims are asked for banking details, requested personal information, or required to pay upfront fees before funds are released.
Many of these scams impersonate licensed financial services providers and rely on suspicious transactions to drain accounts. Legitimate lenders never require advance fees to issue loans.
9. Malware and Suspicious Links
Malware and suspicious link scams spread malicious software through videos, fake alerts, or sensational messages, such as “Is this you?” video link scams. Clicking a bogus link can install malware, redirect to a fraudulent website, or trigger phishing emails.
Using antivirus software, a VPN, and tools like a link checker can reduce risk. Avoid clicking links from unexpected sources, even if they appear to come from friends.
10. Marketplace and Shopping Scams
Marketplace scams involve fake buyers, sellers, or listings offering underpriced luxury items, rentals, pets, or tickets. Common variations include puppy scams, rental scams, and ticket scams, in which victims are asked to send deposits or payments via payment app scams.
Some scammers request Google Voice codes or advertise fake “free” listings to harvest personal data. Once payment is sent, items are never delivered.
11. Phishing and Account Takeover Scams
Phishing and account-takeover scams use fake Facebook login pages, spoofed websites, and fake password-reset emails to steal login credentials. These scams often arrive via Facebook Messenger scams, phishing emails, or even Facebook quiz scams.
Once compromised, accounts are used to target friends and spread further scams. Enabling login alerts and two-factor authentication is critical.
12. Quiz and Survey Scams
Quiz and survey scams appear harmless but are designed to collect personal information, including answers to common security questions. Some fraudulent surveys also install malware or lead to identity fraud.
Even fun quizzes can harvest embarrassing or compromising information used later for account recovery attacks or sextortion.
13. Romance and Relationship Scams
Romance and relationship scams rely on emotional manipulation through fake profiles and online dating scams conducted over Facebook Messenger. Scammers build trust, then request money for a personal emergency, a plane ticket, or an investment opportunity.
These scams often escalate into sextortion scams, using explicit photos or threats to extract payments. Romance scams cause severe financial and emotional harm and are among the most damaging social engineering attacks.
14. Sextortion
These are among the most serious scams.
Scammers clone profiles or collect private images, often targeting teens. Scammers threaten victims with public exposure unless they make a payment. AI is increasingly used to fabricate explicit content.
These scams cause extreme psychological distress and should be reported immediately.
How to Protect Yourself on Facebook
When it comes to responding to and protecting yourself from Facebook scams, quick action matters.
- Start by locking down your account using Facebook privacy settings, enabling login alerts, setting a strong and unique password, and turning on two-factor authentication to prevent further access.
- Run a malware scan to remove any threats, and be cautious of phishing emails or messages that request login details.
- Use Facebook’s security checkup tool and report scammers to Facebook immediately so the platform can limit further harm.
- Consider filing a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if you suspect the exposure of personal or financial information.
The Bottom Line
Facebook scams have evolved into highly coordinated, emotionally manipulative operations.
According to internal Meta documents, approximately one-third of U.S. scams either begin or transit through Facebook platforms. Additionally, in the U.K., Facebook platforms account for 54% of all payment and fraud losses.
Knowing the most common scams gives you a real advantage. Awareness is not optional anymore. It is protection.
If a scam has targeted you or someone you know, or if it has damaged your online reputation, NewReputation can assist.
We assist with scam response, account recovery, and online reputation management so you can take control before scammers do.
West Virginia alumni with a background in marketing and sales for both established companies and startups.