What to do first
Don’t click, reply or pay. Screenshot the ad or Page, copy the URL, and note the date and any payment method requested. If you’ve already paid, contact your bank or card provider right away; reports to Facebook don’t refund money.
Step 1: Report the scam ad
On the ad, tap the three dots and choose Report ad, then choose the option for misleading or scam content and follow the prompts. Report each ad you see; they can differ even when the same advertiser runs them.
Step 2: Report a Page pretending to be you or your business
Open the fake Page, tap or click the options below the cover photo, choose Report Page and select that it’s pretending to be someone or something else. Facebook’s help page gives separate steps for people and for businesses.
Step 3: Use brand tools if you qualify
Businesses enrolled in Meta’s Brand Rights Protection can search and report scam ads and impersonation through that tool. Check whether your business is eligible in the Meta Business Help Center.
Step 4: Warn people the right way
Post a clear notice on your genuine Page with your real contact details and website. Don’t name individuals or share the scammer’s personal information. Link to Facebook’s reporting page so customers can report too.
What to save before you report
- Screenshots showing the ad or Page, with the date visible.
- The URL of the Page and of any website the ad sends people to.
- The name of the advertiser (shown in the ad’s three-dot menu or the Page transparency section).
- Payment details, order numbers and messages if anyone was scammed.
Keep these in one folder. They’re useful for Facebook, your bank and, if money was lost, your local police or consumer protection agency.
What not to do
- Don’t arrange mass reports from friends. Reports are assessed against the rules, not counted like votes.
- Don’t contact the scammer or pretend to buy.
- Don’t publish personal details about a suspected scammer.
If it keeps coming back
Keep a log of each Page, URL and date. If new copies appear after you’ve reported one, repeat the process with the new URL and add the previous reports to your notes. Meta doesn’t publish a timeline for removals.
Official sources
- Facebook Help: Report a profile or Page pretending to be you or someone else
- Meta Scam Protection Center
- Facebook Help Center
Meta and Snap update their help pages and flows often. Always follow the wording on your own screen and the current official Help Center. Unbanz is an independent service and is not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat.