Payment scams

Payment scams (also referred to as purchase scams) may impersonate or claim to be a legitimate vendor, online marketplace or user in order to trick you into sending money (often via online instant payment services), stealing your financial information or clicking on a dangerous link.

Be wary of emails claiming there was an issue with your checkout, and never click on a link if you don't recognize it. Check any emails or messages you get for spelling errors, fake brands or absurd offers. And if you're not sure whether an email is real, you can always double-check your payment history directly in your Facebook settings or with your financial services provider.

Investment scams

Investment scams typically promise returns from a low-risk investment opportunity and often advertise a quick return on investment. They will request immediate payment or an initial investment in order to secure the highest return possible.

Always conduct due diligence when seeking to invest and ensure you’re investing with a reputable and known financial institution. Trading commodities, foreign exchange, cryptocurrency or stocks is a highly regulated practice and you should always check with your local financial regulator regarding the status of the financial entity.

Gambling Scams

Gambling scams use false advertising to promote fake gambling or betting products and steal your financial information. They often promise "free" bets or real money for signing up to encourage you to click. Independently verify any gambling sites before you use them, and make sure that you stick to ones you know and trust.

Romance Scams

Romance scams often use fake social media profiles to create trust and build a fake relationship with you in order to eventually steal your financial information or deceive you into sending money. Protect yourself by making sure that you don't send any of your personal information too soon. Beware of anyone asking for money who you don't know in the real world and be suspicious of any request for money online.

These requests may present themselves after building trust over time and could come in the form of a gift card, money transfer or physical cash. They may often appear genuine such as a claim of sudden change in financial circumstances, medical emergency or day-to-day expenses such as money for Wi-Fi access or travel. Stop and think before sending money, and if you don't know the person in the real world, think again.

User support scams

Scammers may send you a credible looking email or a social media message to offer customer support by pretending to work for a company like Meta. They often claim that you need to urgently log in to your account because there is an issue. They'd then send you a phishing link to a site that looks legitimate and require you to put in your login, password and even a two-factor authentication code. Once you give them this information, they take over your account and may use it to scam others or run fraudulent ads.

Celebrity Impersonation

Fraudsters often impersonate celebrities or other public figures in order to lure you to scam sites. Be wary of clicking on any links that you don't recognize or of unexpected messages. If your favorite celebrity reaches out to you personally or is promoting something that seems too good to be true, be cautious. Public figures and celebrities typically have accounts that are verified with a distinctive blue verification mark to help you recognize the legitimate account.

Government benefits and services impersonation

Scammers often impersonate government services or bodies in order to steal your personal and financial information. Scammers will make lucrative cash offers, for example by claiming you have won a sweepstakes, lottery windfall, an unclaimed inheritance or qualify for a government grant. These offers are usually conditional on payments being made up front in return for promised money, which will never be received. Be vigilant with offers of cash or money via unsolicited messages or friend requests. Remember: Real government agencies or officials will never ask for any sensitive information like PINs or passwords.