Most Dangerous Facebook Scams Of 2025 – Don’t Get Trapped!

Facebook has become so ingrained in the lives of many that billions in the world are now interlinked. From being a place where people maintain friendships and find new interests to even running small businesses, Facebook has become home to a breeding ground for scams. Sadly, these schemes are becoming more common as there is a steady uptick in the number targeting seemingly unsuspecting users.

From fake giveaways and deceptive marketplace listings to sophisticated phishing schemes and identity theft, the variety and volume of Facebook scams can be overwhelming. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and vigilance when using the site. Understanding how these scams work, recognizing their warning signs and knowing how to protect yourself are essential skills in the modern digital age.

This article will give you the information and tools you need to stay safe from the ever-evolving world of Facebook scams.

Quick Guide To Facebook Scams And How To Avoid Them

➤ How Do Facebook Scams Trick You?

➤ Spotting Facebook Scams: The Red Flags You Can’t-Miss

➤ Stay Safe: How To Avoid Facebook Scams

➤ Reporting Facebook Scams: A Simple Guide

➤ Got Scammed On Facebook? Here’s What To Do

What Is Facebook Scam?

Facebook scams refer to any deceptive or fraudulent plan executed on the Facebook site with the primary aim of defrauding users. Such scams take advantage of the features of the site and the natural faith users have in their online relationships.

How do Scammers Work?

Scammers use Facebook’s messaging, groups, Marketplace and advertisements to dupe people.  Their intentions are to get personal details, ask for money or send malicious links.  They may also imitate original accounts or make completely fake ones to earn trust.

The scams found on Facebook vary and are regularly changing.  They include common prize giveaways and counterfeit coupons, sophisticated money scams and marriage scams. Keeping up-to-date with all these different scams is important if one is going to protect him or herself.

How Do Facebook Scams Work?

Scammers use various psychological and scientific tactics to plot their scams. Let’s understand how it works.

Mechanics of Scams

Scams on Facebook are usually based on a blend of technical manoeuvres and psychological trickery. Scammers utilize the features and trust of the platform to meet their objectives.

Social Engineering Tactics Used by Scammers

Scammers masterfully manipulate the psychology and emotions of people. Scammers make victims feel a sense of urgency (“Act now!”), greed (false winnings) or sympathy (false charities). This is referred to as social engineering.

Spoofing

Spoofing involves impersonating somebody else. Scammers could use phony email addresses or set up fake profiles to mislead you. This is a primary element of the Facebook friend request scam, in which a scammer copies a friend’s profile and invites you as a new friend.

Creating Malware

Occasionally, scammers attempt to put malicious software onto your computer. They may send links that, when opened, download the malware. Malware can pilfer your information or harm your computer.

Hacked/Cloned Accounts

Scammers typically hack existing Facebook accounts or set up cloned accounts (near-duplicate accounts). They use the accounts to send messages to the victim’s friends, requesting money or sending dangerous links.

2FA Codes

A giant red flag is when someone requests your two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. Authorized services never request them directly. Providing a scammer with your 2FA code gives them access to your account. This is one of the more common schemes with hacked or cloned accounts.

The 20 Latest Facebook Scams

Let’s break down the different Facebook scams types, organized for simplicity:

Financial Scams

They’re intended to steal money or financial data.

→ Marketplace Scams: They’re all about scamming on Facebook Marketplace. Broken item sale scams use selling defective products

→ PayPal/Cash App scams: Fake payment methods

→ Rental scams: Post false properties

→ Cash App Scams: They promise phony “free money” or incentives using Cash App, frequently requesting users to send money first

→ Romance Scams: Scammers create false relationships to trick victims into sending money. They take advantage of emotions and tend to make up elaborate tales

→ Fake Fundraisers: These scams take advantage of tragedies or invent false illnesses to make donations. Impersonation of medical fundraisers is an especially heartless example

→ Donation Scams: Similar to fake fundraisers, such scams may not be linked to a specific cause but nonetheless try to fool people into giving to phony charities

→ Accounts Promoting Cryptocurrency Investment Scams: Scammers sell false cryptocurrency investments, making unrealistic promises. These tend to be pump-and-dump schemes or Ponzi schemes

→ Facebook Giveaway Scams: These scams provide bogus prizes but ask victims to pay for “shipping” or “taxes,” never providing the prize

→ Ticket Scams: Scammers sell bogus or overcharged tickets to events, concerts or flights

→ Puppy Scams: Scammers post adorable puppies but ask for payment upfront without ever providing the pet

Deception Scams

These scams trick users into clicking links, sharing information, or doing other things.

→ Facebook Messenger Scams: Spammers pretend to be friends or relatives on Messenger to send a bad link or ask for money

→ Cloned Accounts: Impostors set up nearly exact replicas of legitimate profiles to mislead the victim’s friends and relatives

→ Fake Prizes/Giveaways: These scams trap users with free prizes, in many cases demanding them to answer surveys or disclose personal details

→ Fake Coupon Codes: Scammers provide spurious coupons for well-known stores or products to deceive users into accessing malicious websites

→ “Is this you in this video?” Scams: These scams employ clickbait titles to mislead users into tapping on links that redirect to malware or phishing sites

Data Harvesting Scams

These scams target collecting personal information from users.

→ Facebook Quiz Scams: They guarantee entertaining results but are set up to steal personal information that can be sold or used to commit identity theft

→ Fake Job Offers: Criminals create bogus job postings in order to obtain resumes and personal details from employment seekers

Facebook Marketplace Scam

→ Broken item Sale Scams: Vendors on sites such as Facebook Marketplace deliberately sell broken or non-working items, falsely describing their condition in order to cheat buyers

→ Spoofing Attacks: Hackers impersonate another person or entity, frequently by using a fake email address, website or social media account, in order to deceive victims into divulging information or doing something detrimental

Recognizing Facebook Scam: Spotting The Red Flags

Knowing how to identify Facebook scams is vital to remaining secure. Various scams have certain red flags associated with them. Following are some essential things to keep an eye on:

Unrealistic Offers or Facebook Giveaway Scams

If an offer, giveaway or prize seems too good to be true, then it most likely is. These are used by scammers to entice you. Use common sense are you going to believe you won a high-end car that you never had a drawing for?

Clickbait Scams

Shocking or provocative headlines with tempting content that forces you to click without even considering it. Avoid them since they mostly refer to harmful sites. “Is this you in this video?” is one such typical example.

Requests for Personal Information

Never give sensitive information such as passwords, banking details or your Social Security number to someone you don’t completely trust. Legitimate companies will not ask for it through Facebook most of the time.

Suspicious Links

Be very wary of clicking links, particularly shortened links or if they appear new. Try hovering over the link before clicking to view the real website URL.

Poor Grammar and Spelling

Not always a sure indicator, but poor grammar and spelling may be an indication that something is not right. Scammers tend to be less meticulous in their writing.

Pressure Tactics

Scammers tend to attempt to instil a sense of urgency, rushing you into action before you can think. Don’t be swayed. Take your time and be wary.

Requests to Move Off Facebook

Be highly wary if someone requests that you move the conversation off Facebook to email, WhatsApp or another site. This is a common tactic that scammers use to stay undetected.

How To Avoid Facebook Scams: Protecting Yourself

If you get a weird message from a “friend” on Messenger, their account could have been hacked. Always confirm directly with your friend via another means. When it comes to fundraisers, always vet the charity before giving. Being safe on Facebook means being proactive.

Here’s how to do it:

Tips to Protect yourself from Scams on Facebook

Follow these tips to ensure your safety:

Be Skeptical

Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Don’t believe everything you’re told. If something doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t.

Verify Information

Always check the validity of offers and requests. Research to ensure that the company or individual you are dealing with exists.

Keep Your Personal Data Safe

Never give out sensitive information to anyone that you do not know and have confidence in. This also includes passwords, bank account numbers and your Social Security number.

Be Careful with Links

Be extremely cautious when clicking on links. Hold your mouse pointer over links before you click and look at the true website address. Never click on short or unknown URLs.

Use Strong Passwords and Turn on 2FA

Use strong, different passwords for your Facebook account and all your other online accounts. Turn on two-factor authentication wherever you can. This provides an additional layer of protection.

Keep Your Software Up to Date

Keep your devices and software up to date. Software updates frequently contain security patches that shield you from malware.

Watch out for Friend Invites

Only accept friend requests from individuals who you know from the real world. Avoid accepting friend invitations from duplicate accounts.

Investigate Before Giving Money

In case you consider donating to charity, research it first. Ensure that it is a credible charity.

Notify Facebook of Suspect Activity

If something does not appear right on Facebook, report it. Alerting Facebook about scams protects fellow users.

Your privacy and security should always be the first priority that’s why it is necessary to follow these steps to protect yourself from being scammed. You can also learn more about safeguarding your data here.

How To Report A Scam On Facebook And Marketplace

Reporting scams is how Facebook takes action and saves other users from scams. This is how:

How do you report scam on Facebook?

Following these steps, you can report a scam on Facebook:

→ Locate the Post/Profile/Message: Look for the post, profile, message or ad in relation to the scam

→ Search for the Three Dots: All posts, profiles and messages have three dots (a menu icon) nearby. Click on them

→ Choose “Report Post/Profile/Message”: Pick the button that says “Report Post,” “Report Profile” or “Report Message”

→ Select the Reason: Pick the reason that best fits the scam. Facebook will have some options, like “Fake profile,” “Spam,” “Scam” or “Harassment”

→ Include More Details (If Possible): Facebook might ask for additional information. Be as precise as you can. This helps them look into it better

→ Submit the Report: Hit the last “Submit” or “Report” button

How to report a Scam on Facebook Marketplace?

Follow these steps to report scam:

→ Go to the Listing: Navigate to the Marketplace listing you suspect is a scam

→ Find the Seller’s Profile: Tap on the seller’s name or profile picture to visit their profile page

→ Report the Seller: Search for the three dots or a “Report” button on the seller’s profile page

→ Choose a Reason: Pick the reason for reporting, e.g. “Fake profile,” “Scam” or “Item not as described”

→ Provide Details: Explain the scam in as much detail as you can. Add any screenshots or messages that are applicable

→ Submit the Report: Hit the “Submit” or “Report” button

What To Do If You Get Scammed On Facebook

Being a victim of scamming can be an upsetting experience. Here are the steps you should follow:

→ Report the Scam Immediately: Report the scam to Facebook as above. This helps to protect others and enables Facebook to investigate

→ Contact Your Bank/Financial Institution: If you provided any financial data or transferred money to the scammer, call your bank or credit card company immediately. They can potentially stop payments or take other protective actions

→ Change Your Passwords: Update your Facebook password and the passwords for any other online accounts, particularly if you believe the scammer has accessed your data. Use strong, unique passwords

→ Inform Your Friends and Family: Share the information about the scam with your friends and family. This will save them from being scammed by the same individual

→ Gather Evidence: Save any evidence of the scam that you might have, including screenshots of the messages or transactions. This information will come in handy if you are to pursue any further action

→ Consider Taking Legal Action: If you have lost a lot of money or have been a victim of identity theft, you might consider speaking with an attorney to explore your legal options

→ Report to the FTC (in the US): In the US, you can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This assists the FTC in monitoring scams and taking action against scammers

→ Be Patient: It may take time to resolve the issues caused by a scam. Be patient with yourself and with the organizations you are working with

Report and recovery are great, but the best protection is prevention. Keep staying vigilant and stay informed regarding current scams. By remaining vigilant and knowledgeable, you can limit your exposure to being a future target.

Is Facebook Protect A Scam?

There is usually confusion regarding Facebook Protect and some think it’s a scam. Let’s set the record straight: Facebook Protect is not a scam.

How To Protect Yourself From Scams On Facebook Using VPN?

Using a VPN against Facebook scams adds a valuable layer of security and privacy that can significantly reduce your risk. Here’s how:

→ Masking Your IP Address: A VPN covers up your actual IP address and it becomes more difficult for scammers to identify your location and activities online. It does not allow them to send location-based scams your way or profile you as a person based on your online behaviour

→ Securing Your Connection: VPNs encrypt your online traffic, safeguarding your information from interception by hackers or scammers on public Wi-Fi. This is particularly necessary when using Facebook on unsecured networks, as it keeps scammers from stealing your login details or other personal data

→ Selecting a Reliable VPN: Finding a reliable VPN service is important. Some good and well-known choices include:

1. NordVPN: NordVPN is one of the most notable choice known for its excellent security, speed and ease of use
2. ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is renowned for its reliability, speed and a large number of servers
3. CyberGhost: CyberGhost is suitable for beginners, featuring an easy interface and strong protection

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Facebook scams are an insidious danger, but if you know how they work and what the warning signs are, you can greatly minimize your risk. Being careful, guarding your personal data and being wary of suspicious offers are the most important things.

Using tools such as VPNs can provide an added layer of protection, but do not forget that awareness and caution are your greatest defences. By being aware and taking action, you can reap the rewards of Facebook while limiting the risks.