I’m writing this because I’m ashamed to admit I got scammed recently, and it hit me hard. It happens more often than you’d think—maybe even to people you know but they’re too embarrassed to say. Funny, though, everyone I told about my experience went on to tell me their scammed story. It’s more prevalent than we realize. Scammers are clever, ruthless, and getting more sophisticated, especially on Facebook. If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. So here’s the deal: let’s talk about how these lowlifes operate and, more importantly, how you can protect yourself.
1. The “Two First Names” Trick
You ever notice those profiles with names like “John Michael” or “Lisa Anne”? That’s a classic scammer move. They use innocent-sounding names to make you think they’re trustworthy. But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll find:
• No real profile pictures (just stock photos or stolen ones).
• A timeline that barely exists or is filled with fake inspirational posts.
• A suspiciously recent “Joined Facebook” date.
Tip: If someone adds you out of nowhere and their profile looks off, don’t accept. No matter how nice they seem, you don’t owe them access to your world. In my case the profile was of a mom with her family. The only thing I found strange after I got scammed of course was that ‘her’ pictures were posted backwards for example her babies pics were at the top and pics of her kids as older were listed at the bottom. How did I not pick up on that?? UGH!!!
2. Fake Business Offers and “Too Good to Be True” Deals
Scammers love preying on people’s dreams and desperation. They’ll offer you a “business opportunity” that’s guaranteed to make you rich, or maybe they’ll claim you’ve won a giveaway. Spoiler alert: the only thing they’re giving away is your cash or info.
• They’ll ask you to pay upfront for “processing fees.”
• Or they’ll send you a fake check, make you deposit it, and then disappear before the bank realizes it’s bogus.
Tip: No real opportunity asks you for money to get started. And always verify businesses independently—don’t just trust a Facebook message. Here again, a friend bought into an online course and felt he had been scammed. He was in a bit of a depression because he paid a pretty penny for this course. He got caught up in the excitement of the presenter
3. “Your Friend Needs Help” Scams
One of the sneakiest scams is when they hack someone’s account and message you pretending to be your friend. It usually goes something like:
“Hey, I’m in trouble and need $200. Can you help me out? I’ll pay you back next week.”
They’re banking on your kindness—and your trust.
Tip: If a friend messages you asking for money, call them. Don’t send a dime until you’ve spoken to them directly. I know an elderly friend who got scammed like this. She actually saw the guy face to face and he conned her out of $2,000. She thought he was her husband’s nephew. Imagine how devastating it is to learn that you have been scammed out of that much money.
4. Fake Marketplace Listings
Scammers love Facebook Marketplace because it’s easy to prey on people looking for deals. They’ll post items for sale (cars, electronics, or even apartments) at crazy low prices, then ask for a deposit to “hold” the item. Once you send the money, poof—they’re gone.
Tip: Never send money before seeing an item in person. If it’s a big purchase, meet in a public place and bring a friend. I have a friend who bought an $800 part for his car…yep gone. Be careful! Again, another friend admitted to being scammed from the Facebook Marketplace for nearly $1,000. Man that just hurts in the gut doesn’t it?
5. Romance Scams: The Sweet Talk Hustle
This one’s tough because it preys on your emotions. They’ll slide into your DMs, charm you with sweet talk, and then start asking for money for an “emergency” or a “visa” to come see you.
• They might send stolen photos to make themselves look attractive.
• Their story will be overly dramatic but just believable enough.
Tip: If someone you’ve never met is asking for money, stop right there. Love doesn’t come with a price tag. Raise your hand if you can think of that friend who tells you about their “friend” in England, the other side of the US, or some other obscure place. We know your eyebrows and side eye were too hard to hide.
6. Impersonation Scams
Sometimes scammers will impersonate a company or even Facebook itself. They’ll send you a message saying your account has been compromised and ask for your login info to “fix” it. Once they have it, they’ll lock you out and use your account to scam others.
Tip: No legitimate company will ever ask for your password. If you get a weird message, go directly to the website (don’t click the link) and check your account yourself. Better yet, call the company directly. I repeat: DO NOT CLICK ANY LINKS!!!!
How to Protect Yourself on Facebook
- Tighten Your Privacy Settings: Make your profile visible only to friends. Limit who can send you friend requests.
- Think Before You Click: Don’t click on suspicious links, even if they come from a friend.
- Double-Check Profiles: Look for red flags like no photos, few friends, or inconsistent activity.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account. I’ll write more about this later.
- Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is.
Scammers Are Everywhere, but You’re Smarter
Getting scammed doesn’t make you stupid—it makes you human. These people are professional manipulators. The best thing we can do is share our stories, learn from each other, and stay vigilant. Don’t let embarrassment stop you from protecting someone else. If you have been scammed be sure to report to your bank account even if you don’t get your money back, report the account to your social media platform.
Stay sharp, stay safe, and let’s keep these scammers in check.