If your business is active on Facebook, odds are you’ve seen something sketchy land in your inbox or comment section. It might look official—or just a little weird—but it’s not coming from Meta. It’s a scam.
Here’s how to spot some of the most common Facebook fraud attempts—and what to do if you see one.
The “Meta Violation” Messenger Scam
You’ll see a message in your inbox that says something like:
Meta Platforms has detected a violation on your account. Please verify your page at the following link to avoid being disabled.
Looks official. Sometimes it even uses the Meta logo or a copy of Facebook’s color scheme.
Meta does not message you through Facebook Messenger about violations, bans, or page takedowns.
What You Should Do Instead:
- Don’t click anything.
- Check your Facebook Notifications to see if there’s a real alert.
- Log in to the email address connected to your account—if there’s a real issue, Meta will contact you there.
- Still unsure? Visit the official Meta Help Center.
If there’s no notification on your account, the message is fake. Block, report, and delete.
Comment Scams: “Hi There, I Love Your Page…”
Another scam tactic is subtle—but dangerous.
You might get a comment like:
“I saw your post and wanted to be friends.”
“You seem like a really nice person, check your inbox!”
“I love what you’re doing—message me!”
These accounts often:
- Use generic names like Bob, Roger, or Thomas
- Present themselves as veterans or retirees
- Have minimal or mismatched profile content
- Are run by bots or scammers trying to prey on your audience
What to Do When You See a Scam
If you get a fake message or sketchy comment:
- Don’t reply
- Block the user immediately
- Delete the comment or message from your page
- Report the account to Facebook as spam or scam behavior
Even better: let your audience know what to watch out for. Helping others avoid these traps builds trust.
Final Thought
It doesn’t matter how small your business is—scammers don’t care. They’ll target anyone they think might click.
A little extra caution goes a long way. If something feels off, it probably is.
Need help managing your Facebook, Instagram, or website?
Contact Solid Ground » — we help small businesses stay visible and secure online.