How To Spot and Avoid the Latest Facebook Scams of 2024

What Are the Biggest Scams Happening on Facebook?

Social media has become a hotbed of scams and imposters — with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reporting that Americans lost nearly $1.5 billion to scams on social networking sites in 2023 alone [*].

But out of all of the social networks, Facebook has the biggest fraud problem. Over 62% of Facebook users encounter scams on a weekly basis [*]. 

From fake accounts to Marketplace scams and fraudulent giveaways, cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to scam people on Facebook. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the latest and most common Facebook scams, show you how to determine if you’re dealing with a scammer on Facebook, and explain what to do to keep your identity safe and your accounts secure. 

The 15 Latest Facebook Scams To Avoid in 2024

1. Fake prizes and giveaways
2. Charity scams and fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns
3. “I can’t believe he’s gone” posts
4. Scammy Marketplace buyers requesting Google Voice codes
5. Underpriced luxury or in-demand items on Marketplace
6. Sending “deposits” for items on Marketplace
7. Too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities
8. Romance and sextortion scams
9. Hacked or cloned friend accounts asking for 2FA codes
10. “Is this you?” video link scams
11. Facebook quiz scams
12. Offers of “free money” from government programs
13. Ads for phony items or fake e-commerce sites
14. Phishing emails or direct messages from Facebook’s team
15. Work-from-home and other fraudulent job offers

If you or your family members use Meta platforms, you need to know the tactics that scammers are using to target you.

Here are the 15 Facebook scams you need to know about in 2024:

1. Fake prizes and giveaways

Social media scams often involve something “free” — like a prize, giveaway, or gift card. In one common scam, fraudsters create a fake Facebook page for a familiar company, state lottery, or sweepstakes, and either post offers for free prizes or send victims direct Facebook messages (DMs) claiming they’ve won.

For example, scammers impersonated Mr. Beast — a wildly popular YouTuber with over two million followers — and ran Facebook ads claiming you would get $1,000.

But if you respond, you’ll be asked to provide personal data to “claim” your prize, such as your credit card numbers or banking details. You may even be pressured into paying fake fees or taxes before you can claim your prize.  

How to avoid fake giveaway scams on Facebook:

• Check the giveaway’s Facebook page. Many lottery scams are posted on profiles that look like official state lottery companies or fake company pages. But fraudulent accounts are easy to spot because they usually have a low follower count, poor-quality design, and nonsensical posts containing typos and grammatical errors.
• Don’t trust brand names — even if they’re verified. Some fraudsters use well-known company names to trick you into believing it’s a legitimate giveaway (for example, “Costco Customer Appreciation Giveaways”). Only engage if the giveaway is hosted on the company’s main brand page. If not, reach out to the company via its official customer support channels and ask if it’s legitimate. 
• You’re asked to pay an upfront fee to receive your prize. Do not get involved if anyone asks you to pay upfront fees for processing, taxes, or shipping. These requests are clear signs of a scam — real prizes are free!

💡 Related: How To Identify a Lottery Scam (12 Warning Signs) →

2. Charity scams and fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns

While many people have honest intentions to help victims of natural disasters, criminals see it as an opportunity for financial gain. 

Charity scams on Facebook prey on our natural desire to help others. Scammers can create duplicate websites and bogus GoFundMe campaigns to trick people into making donations.

How to avoid fake charity campaigns:

• Verify the organization. If you’d like to support a cause, first confirm that you are about to donate to a legitimate charity. You can verify organizations on the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance or sites like CharityNavigator.org.
• Research the organizers. Anyone can create a GoFundMe campaign. To check if a charity is bonafide, search the charity's name along with the words "complaints," "reviews," "ratings," and "scam." You can also research the person or organization that created the campaign to see if they’re legitimate.‍
• Avoid non-traditional payment methods. Stay clear of any charity that insists on payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps like Venmo and Zelle. Donations made via these methods are virtually impossible to refund if it’s a scam.

3. “I can’t believe he’s gone” posts

One of the latest Facebook scams starts with a post that reads, “I can’t believe he’s gone” or “I’ll miss him so much.” The post includes a video and is made to look like someone you know has passed away [*]. 

The goal is to trick people into clicking on the video link, which redirects to a fake Facebook login page. If you fall for this, you could unwittingly share your username and password with scammers — who will take over your account.

How to avoid these Facebook scams:

• Never click without reading. If you see emotionally charged posts, avoid engaging without reading them first. If you click on the video, you may be redirected to a bogus website or end up with malicious software on your device.
• Look for vague language and dramatic details. These posts mention some tragedy and stir up curiosity; but they leave out key details, like the supposed victim’s name. 
• Inspect the link. When you hold your mouse cursor over the link, it should be visible at the bottom of your browser. If it's obscured, or if the URL looks suspicious, it's a scam. You should avoid clicking — but if you do, do not share any information on the next page.

💡 Related: 12 Scams Targeting Seniors and Elderly Americans →

4. Scammy Marketplace buyers requesting Google Voice codes

Almost one in five users of Facebook Marketplace got scammed in 2023 — both buyers and sellers [*]. One of the most common Facebook Marketplace scams targeting sellers entails prospective buyers asking to send a “code” to verify that they’re dealing with a “real” seller.

In this scam, someone contacts you about an item for sale and asks for your phone number. Next, they ask to send a code to your phone. This is supposed to show them that you’re a legitimate seller — but in reality, it’s part of a Google Voice verification code scam that can give fraudsters control over your phone number. 

How to avoid fraudulent buyers on Facebook Marketplace:

• Never send two-factor authentication (2FA) codes or sensitive details to strangers over Facebook or in text messages. If someone contacts you about an item, your payment best options are cash or in-person transactions (in a safe location). 
• Ignore requests to move conversations off of Facebook Messenger. Marketplace scammers usually ask you to talk on another platform, like Discord or email. If you do this, Facebook won’t be able to investigate or help you get your money back.
• Never accept overpayment (extra money) or checks. Scam buyers may also ask to pay with a check or send you too much and ask you to “refund” the difference. In either case, their payment will bounce — leaving you in debt to your bank.

5. Underpriced luxury or in-demand items on Marketplace

Another Facebook Marketplace scam involves fraudsters posing as sellers and posting in-demand or luxury items at low prices to get your attention. These sellers almost always have a sob story to explain why they’re selling the item so cheaply — for example, to pay for a pet’s vet bill or because they’re in the military and have been dispatched overseas.

However, when you go to pay, the seller requests a deposit to “hold” the item or may even try to pressure you into paying for items via non-reversible methods, such as Zelle or Venmo. 

How to avoid scam buyers on Facebook Marketplace:

• Don’t trust deals that are too good to be true. There are deals to be found on Facebook Marketplace, but a too-cheap price is a warning sign of a scam. 
• Always meet in person (in a safe space) for online transactions. Anyone who won’t meet in person for an exchange is likely trying to scam you. Always ask to meet up at a location where you feel safe, such as a public place. If possible, bring a friend with you.
• If the buying process becomes too complicated — walk away. Scammers try to make uncommon situations sound common, such as a courier picking up cash and then shipping the item. If it sounds complicated, it’s most likely a scam. 

💡 Related: Facebook Messenger Scams: What Are They & How To Avoid Them →

6. Sending “deposits” for items on Marketplace

A recent Marketplace scam involves buyers offering to send a deposit to hold an item. If you accept, the buyer will send you a legitimate-looking link to “deposit” your money at your financial institution. 

But the whole thing is a scam. When you enter your financial information into the website, it goes straight to the scammers — giving them access to your bank account.

How to avoid the deposit scam on Facebook Marketplace:

• Don’t trust links sent from strangers. Almost all phishing scams involve malicious links. If someone sends you a link — especially to enter financial information — be cautious. 
• Always double-check the URL before entering information. Scammers create fake websites that mimic your bank’s login page. Make sure you’re on your bank’s official page before entering your account information and password. 
• Use a password manager or Safe Browsing tools. For total protection, use Safe Browsing tools to warn you of fake websites. A secure password manager can also keep you safe, as it won’t auto-enter your credentials on a fake site. 

7. Too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities (cryptocurrencies, etc.)

Investment fraud happens when con artists convince targets that they can make a lot of money quickly from investments that involve little to no risk. Fraudsters trick victims into investing in various opportunities, including stocks, cryptocurrency, or real estate.

But despite the promise of high returns for a small initial investment, these online scams almost always end with huge losses for victims. The only people who profit are the fraudsters — who take all of their investors’ savings and then vanish.

How to avoid fake investment scams on Facebook:

• Ignore claims of “guaranteed” returns. There are no guaranteed investments — especially with volatile assets like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Every investment comes with risks, so don’t believe any hype about high returns.
• Beware of strange offers from friends and followers. If someone in your network suddenly starts sending messages about investing in cryptocurrencies, their account could be hacked. Contact the person through another method to verify if they are actually controlling the profile. 
• Do your due diligence. The most successful people spend considerable time researching companies and learning to read market trends. If you aren't prepared to do the work, you're gambling with your savings — and the house always wins. 

💡 Related: How Can You Protect Yourself On Social Networking Sites? →

8. Romance and sextortion scams

Most romance scams occur entirely online, where new relationships lead to requests for money. Once fraudsters gain the trust of their targets, they use social engineering and emotional manipulation to persuade victims to send money.

Sextortion scams are a darker twist on romance scams, in which imposters convince their targets to send explicit photos or videos. If you do this, the fraudsters immediately demand that you send money — or else they will release the videos to all of your friends and family. 

How to identify and avoid these Facebook scams:

• Beware of excessive flattery. If a new online relationship is moving quickly or the other person is coming on strong, these are red flags. Scammers try to move fast so you’ll make snap decisions about money while caught up in the excitement of a new romance.
• Tighten your privacy practices. Facebook scams thrive because of the personal information available on social media platforms. Limit the personal details you share on Facebook — especially your phone number, address, and other details that could be used to create convincing scams.
• End contact with suspicious individuals. If a new Facebook friend has little information posted on their profile or refuses to do a video chat, you should question their genuine intentions. The safest thing to do is end all contact and block them online.

9. Hacked or cloned friend accounts asking for 2FA codes

Two-factor authentication (2FA) codes provide an additional security layer to keep hackers at bay. But con artists can deceive you into sharing 2FA codes by using a cloned account of a trusted person, like your friend or family member.

The supposed friend will tell you they’re getting their own 2FA code sent to your address — but it's actually for your account.

How to avoid getting scammed by a hacked or cloned account:

• Never share 2FA codes. If anyone asks to send their 2FA code to you, be careful — it’s most likely a scammer. Don’t give anyone your 2FA or one-time passwords for Facebook or any other online accounts.
• Call the person. If you receive a suspicious message about 2FA codes, call or message the person via a different platform to confirm if it’s a legitimate request.
• Change your account passwords. If you receive an email about a 2FA request and know it wasn't you who made the request, consider this a sign that someone is trying to access your account. Immediately update your password to something unique and complex.

💡 Related: How To Avoid Social Media Identity Theft →

10. “Is this you?” video link scams

One of the older Facebook scams still circulating starts with a message from someone in your network, which includes a video or link. The accompanying message asks, "Is this you?" or something similar. 

Like any phishing attack, clicking on the link will lead to a fraudulent website or malware download. In either case, you risk your account and personal identifiable information (PII) if you engage.

How to avoid these Facebook scams:

• Ignore suspicious messages. It's vital to resist the temptation to click on these links or videos. Instead, delete the message to ensure that you don't accidentally click on it later.
• Report the issue. These scam messages often come from the profiles of real people on your friends list because scammers have taken over their accounts. Your friend might not know, so it's best to contact them outside of Facebook (via telephone, email, etc.). Also, report the issue to Facebook to help stop the scammer from targeting others. 
• Use Safe Browsing tools. With digital security tools, you can automatically block scam messages and receive warnings about any suspicious pages.

11. Facebook quiz scams

You may think taking a Facebook quiz is fun, but many of the questions are actually common cybersecurity questions. 

For example, the quiz may ask you to share your name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name, email address, or phone number. With your guard down, you may unknowingly disclose sensitive information that compromises your online security.

How to avoid  falling victim to Facebook quiz scams:

• Stick to reputable companies. If you want to take a quiz on Facebook, only engage on trusted pages that provide a lot of reviews and proof of legitimacy. For example, Unilad or Buzzfeed would be safer than a random page that you see for the first time.
• Use unique password recovery questions. Although quizzes may include common security questions, using unique questions and answers for your online accounts is wise. That way, nobody can access your account if they know your mother's maiden name. 

💡 Related: What Data Do Cybercriminals Steal? (How To Protect Yours) →

12. Offers of “free money” from government programs

In this scam, you receive a direct message (DM) from someone you know on Facebook. The message explains that the government is giving away grants. For example, your friend may claim to have received thousands of dollars for COVID-19 relief. 

But a scammer has hacked your friend's account — and you'll be the next victim if you engage with their message.

How to avoid these Facebook scams:

• Ignore messages about government grants. The government doesn't contact people on Facebook to give away free money; any message you receive about this is a scam.
• Research government grants on official websites. If you need financial support, you can learn about bonafide programs from the government with your own research. Official government websites have a URL that ends in ".gov" and use "HTTPS" (not "HTTP").
• Report these Facebook scams. You should alert administrators to spam messages or compromised accounts before someone else falls victim.

13. Ads for phony items or fake e-commerce sites

Nearly 70% of all online shopping scams start on Facebook or Instagram [*]. In most cases, you first see a fake ad, tempting you with low-cost items. But if you click on the ad, you’ll either be taken to a fake store that steals your payment details, or you’ll pay for a counterfeit or low-quality item. 

How to spot fake e-commerce sites on Facebook:

• Extremely cheap (or even free) products. Scammers use cheap prices to lure victims. In some cases, the seller claims you only need to pay for shipping costs. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• Request for payment via gift cards. If you buy anything, always use Meta Pay (Facebook Pay) to ensure that you have purchase protection.
• Suspicious e-commerce websites. Many fraudulent sites are created quickly, so they may exhibit poor design, spelling, and functionality. 
• Check third-party reviews. A bogus site may include some reviews, but they are fake. To verify a store’s reputation, do a Google search of the company name and look at reviews on third–party sites like Trustpilot and HelpfulCrowd.

💡 Related: What To Do If Scammers Have Your Phone Number →

14. Phishing emails or direct messages from Facebook’s team

Fraudsters impersonate Facebook’s support team through phishing emails to steal your login information or allow the perpetrators to sneak malware onto your device. 

One scam informs people that their “account is being disabled.” In another variation, you may get direct messages from a page like “Facebook Security Monitor” claiming your account was breached, your payment has failed, or something requires immediate attention.

If you panic, you might click on the link or answer their questions, which could allow fraudsters to gain access to your account.

How to spot a Facebook phishing scam:

• Check the sender’s email address. You can click on the sender's "From" name to see where the email is coming from. All legitimate Facebook emails come from an official @Facebook.com email address. 
• Scrutinize the URL before entering your login credentials. Phishing emails usually contain links that direct you to fake Facebook login pages (or download malware onto your device). Hover over the links to see if the URL looks suspicious — for instance, it may include a close variation or strange domain, such as “faceb00k.com” or “Facebook. XYZ.” 
• Look out for urgency. Scammers try to get you to act quickly without thinking. Legitimate Facebook emails do not threaten users with an immediate ban or account deletion, so you should be skeptical about any messages that bear an urgent or pushy tone.

15. Work-from-home and other fraudulent job offers

As more people embrace the “working from home” lifestyle, fake job offers constitute a growing problem. 

The FTC reports that fake business opportunities cost Americans about $337 million in 2023, with the average victim losing $6,183 [*]. 

These Facebook scams often begin with a great job offer — enticing applicants to share onboarding information like Social Security numbers (SSNs) and bank account details. If you provide this data, it may be sold on the Dark Web.

How to spot a fake job scam:

• The perks and salary seem too good to be true. Scammers dangle high salaries and generous benefits packages to ensnare victims who are desperate to land good jobs. You should verify everything about a company and its typical salary range through a third-party review site, like Glassdoor.
• You’re asked to pay a fee to apply. Legitimate employers will never ask you for processing fees during a job application. If this happens to you, end all contact and block the person.
• ‍They don’t want to meet via video calls. If the prospective employer isn’t willing to have a video call with you, consider this a red flag. When you request one, take note if the employer becomes defensive or tries to pressure you by saying they’ll move on to the next candidate if you don’t accept immediately.

How to Protect Yourself From Scams on Facebook

With the anonymous nature of social media and over three billion users, Facebook is a breeding ground for scams. You must adopt a vigilant attitude to avoid the traps planted by social media cybercriminals.

Follow these nine steps to keep yourself safe on Facebook and other social networking sites:

• Use a strong and unique password for your Facebook account. Complex passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols can reduce the chance of account takeover fraud. If you can't log in, follow these steps to recover a hacked Facebook account. 
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). You can make your accounts more secure by adding a second authentication factor to the login process — like a fingerprint scan, push notification, or hardware security key. 
• Tighten your online privacy settings. Adjust your profile visibility and privacy settings to improve your social media security. Securing your profile and removing sensitive information will make you less likely to fall victim to fraud.
• Turn on Facebook’s login alerts to warn you of hacking. Login alerts notify you when someone logs in to your Facebook account from an unrecognized device, browser, or location. 
• Check your login and active session history for suspicious activity. Look for logins from locations you've never visited and actions you don't remember taking (such as liking posts, following new pages, or adding new friends). 
• Use Facebook’s “Security Checkup” tool to update your account privacy. This tool lets you review and add more security measures to your Facebook profile. You must log in to your account first to start the Security Checkup.
• Never click on suspicious links in Facebook DMs, emails, or texts. If you receive an unsolicited message with links and little context, it's best not to click. Even if the message appears to be from a friend, it could be the first step in a scam.
• Decline friend requests from people you don’t know (or anyone with whom you’re already friends). Accepting requests from strangers could put you at risk. If you receive a friend request from someone you’re already connected with on Facebook, it could be a fraudster using a cloned profile.
• Report scammers to Facebook. Reporting a scam allows Facebook to investigate and take the appropriate action, like removing the scammer’s profile or banning their account. 
• Monitor your identity and credit. If you think you have encountered any Facebook scams, keep an eye on your bank statements and credit reports for signs of fraud. Even small transactions are worth querying, as fraudsters may test the account before draining your savings or applying for a new credit card in your name.

For many of us, social media comprises a massive part of our daily lives — and Facebook may even be an integral part of your business. But the risks are undeniable. If you want a powerful way to protect your identity, online accounts, and finances against fraudsters, consider Identity Guard.

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