In short
Meta says it will never ask for your password in an email or Facebook message, and Instagram says it will never send you a direct message about your account. Instagram contacts you about your account through the Emails from Instagram section in your settings.
Most common fake: Direct messages claiming your account will be banned or has broken copyright rules.
Safest check: On Instagram, check the Emails from Instagram section in your settings, which is the only place for genuine account messages from Instagram.
What Meta (Facebook and Instagram) says
Meta says it will never ask for your password in an email or Facebook message, and Instagram says it will never send you a direct message about your account. Instagram contacts you about your account through the Emails from Instagram section in your settings. Source: Meta
Common fake Meta (Facebook and Instagram) messages
- Direct messages claiming your account will be banned or has broken copyright rules
- Messages saying your photos are being shared elsewhere, with a link to log in
- Fake celebrity endorsements and giveaways in ads that lead to scam websites
- Fake customer support pages pretending to represent well known companies
- Suspicious job offers and cryptocurrency investment pitches in messages
Meta (Facebook and Instagram)'s real web addresses
Genuine Meta (Facebook and Instagram) links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: facebook.com is real, but facebook-support-center.com or facebook.com.account-check.top are not.
- facebook.com
- instagram.com
- facebookmail.com
Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. Learn how to read a web address.
How to check a Meta (Facebook and Instagram) message safely
- On Instagram, check the Emails from Instagram section in your settings, which is the only place for genuine account messages from Instagram
- For Facebook, check that an email came from facebookmail.com and compare it with the recent emails listed in your Security and Login settings
- Open the Facebook or Instagram app yourself instead of tapping links in messages
How to report a fake Meta (Facebook and Instagram) message
- Report the message, post or profile inside Instagram (tap the three dots, or press and hold a message) and block the account. Official details on about.fb.com
- Report suspicious ads and scam content with the in-app reporting tools on Facebook and Instagram. Official details on about.fb.com
Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. See the worldwide list.
If you clicked, paid or shared details
Act quickly. It makes a difference.
- If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card.
- If you entered a password, change it on the real Meta (Facebook and Instagram) website or app and turn on two-step verification.
- Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account".
- Report the scam, then delete the message.
More help: Phishing links and fake login pages and what to do after a scam.
Questions people ask
Does Meta (Facebook and Instagram) send messages asking for payment or personal details?
Meta says it will never ask for your password in an email or Facebook message, and Instagram says it will never send you a direct message about your account. Instagram contacts you about your account through the Emails from Instagram section in your settings.
How can I check if a Meta (Facebook and Instagram) message is real?
On Instagram, check the Emails from Instagram section in your settings, which is the only place for genuine account messages from Instagram. For Facebook, check that an email came from facebookmail.com and compare it with the recent emails listed in your Security and Login settings. Open the Facebook or Instagram app yourself instead of tapping links in messages.
How do I report a fake Meta (Facebook and Instagram) message?
Report the message, post or profile inside Instagram (tap the three dots, or press and hold a message) and block the account. Report suspicious ads and scam content with the in-app reporting tools on Facebook and Instagram.
I clicked a link in a fake Meta (Facebook and Instagram) message. What should I do?
Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it.
Official sources and further reading
We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies.