Overwhelmed With Spam Messages on Facebook?

Have you noticed an increase in notifications or email messages coming from “Facebook” or “Facebook support” informing you that your business page is getting shut down for various reasons? You’re not alone. More and more businesses and individuals are receiving these types of messages from accounts claiming to be related to Facebook. 



Although spam messages can be unsettling, it’s essential not to panic. Taking swift action and avoiding common scams can help protect your account and prevent future spam attacks. In this article, we’ll break down what spam messages on Facebook entail, how to spot fake Facebook messages, and what steps to take after you’ve received them. 

What Are Spam Messages?

The term “spam” refers to content that misleads users to drive engagement or aims to deceive users into revealing sensitive information. Spam publication and distribution occur through various means, whether automated via bots or scripts or coordinated by a malicious actor who uses multiple accounts to disseminate deceptive content. 

Social media spam comes in many forms, including direct messages on Facebook Messenger, comments on posts, fake reviews, or emails claiming to be Facebook-related. In its help documentation, Facebook states that spam may include sending bulk messages, excessively posting images or links to people’s timelines, and sending friend requests to strangers. 

Such content can spread when someone clicks an unsafe link that appears to be legitimate, potentially causing the installation of malicious software. From there, hackers may gain access to users’ Facebook profiles or business pages and use them to send spam to other accounts. 

In some cases, hackers may take over admin rights to your page or ad account. Worse, they may gain access to financial accounts and personally identifiable information such as names, birthdates, and more. Moreover, spam originating from a Facebook page can cause reputational harm — whether due to fake reviews or spam messages shared from your page.

How to Spot a Spam Message

Spam attacks are becoming increasingly common on social media. In a survey by cybersecurity firm Lookout, 80% of respondents said they encountered social media scams at least once a month, with 34% seeing scams daily. 

According to Statista, Facebook removed 1.6 billion pieces of spam in the first quarter of 2023. Although that’s a decrease from 1.8 billion pieces in the last quarter of 2022, we at Optimize Digital Marketing would like to see that number drop even further. 

Decreasing spam starts with knowing how to spot fake and malicious content. Below are some red flags to watch out for while browsing Facebook or managing your business page.

• Timing: One of the hallmarks of spam messages is their urgency. They often create a sense of impending doom, making you believe you must take immediate action to prevent your page from being shut down. 
• Grammatical and spelling errors: Spam messages tend to contain improper grammar and spelling. Watch for misspellings, awkward or confusing language, incorrect punctuation, and other telltale signs that the content did not come from a legitimate source.
• Links: Often, spam messages contain links they ask you to follow to clear up purported “issues.” Whatever you do, do not click these links. They may trigger the installation of malware, reveal private information, or launch a chain of spam posts originating from your page.
• Emails: Along with posting links in social media posts or direct messages, scammers might send malicious links via email. Facebook notes that scammers may create fake emails that appear to come from Facebook. These messages often attempt to lure users to click links within the emails. For example, phishing emails may contain fake notifications about Facebook events or messages, false claims that you violated Facebook's Community Standards or advertising standards, urgent requests to take action, or dubious alerts about winning a prize. 

Spam Examples

If you see any messages that look like the ones below, proceed with caution. They are likely spam.

How to Know Whether a Facebook Message Is Legitimate

Identifying spam is one thing, but how do you know whether a Facebook message is legitimate? Here are a few guidelines to help you weed out real messages from scams and protect yourself online: 

• If an email or a notification claiming to be from Facebook asks for your password, it’s likely spam. Facebook will never ask for your password in an email or send you a password as an email attachment.
• If you get an email from someone claiming to be from Facebook or Meta, you can take steps to verify the person’s identity. Check if the email contains “notification@facebookmail.com,” “noreply@facebookmail.com,” “@business.fb.com,” or another email address that Facebook has identified as being safe.
• Even if a message comes from a seemingly legitimate source, be aware that cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attacks. Advancements in technology, increasing access to personal information online, and social engineering all contribute to more significant cyberattack risks. Ironically, anti-phishing technologies themselves can inspire hackers to get even sneakier as they learn new ways to bypass these tools.

What to Do When You Get Spammed

You’re not powerless if you get spammed. You can take several steps to remove the spam, block the sender, and safeguard your page from future attacks.

Report Spam

You are probably not the only person who received the spam. Reporting spam to Facebook helps the platform remove unsafe accounts and prevent hackers from taking advantage of Facebook users.

Facebook offers numerous ways to report abusive content, typically via a three-dot drop-down menu located near the content. From profiles and specific posts to photos, videos, messages, and comments, every piece of content includes reporting options. 

Block Spammers

If someone repeatedly posts spam comments or sends you spam messages, we suggest deleting or blocking them. Again, use the reporting tools near the profile or content you want to delete or block. 

See this link for additional information on page-specific actions you can take to block, unblock, and report spam messages.

Take Steps Now to Protect Your Page

As technology advances, so do the tactics employed by scammers and spammers. It's vital to remain vigilant in the face of Facebook spam messages, posts, and emails. By recognizing the telltale signs and taking appropriate action, you can safeguard your personal information and business page against online scammers. 

Reporting spam messages and blocking malicious accounts not only safeguards you but also contributes to a safer online community for all users. Within that space, you can connect authentically with your target audience through engaging content that helps generate more traffic, leads, and sales. 

If you want to learn more about safeguarding your online presence, consider seeking professional assistance. Optimize Digital Marketing offers comprehensive solutions to enhance your social media platform security and grow your business online. 

Schedule your free consultation today to explore strategies to strengthen your page’s security and thrive on social media and other digital spaces. We’ll take care of your presence online so you can be present offline.