How to Spot and Avoid Shopping Scams on Facebook and Instagram Right Now

If you’ve bought or sold anything on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that scams are everywhere. Dutch authorities recently made that official: after an investigation, they concluded that Meta isn’t doing nearly enough to protect users from online shopping fraud. For shoppers, that means the responsibility falls back on you. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—how to keep your money safe.

What the Dutch authorities actually said

On May 18, 2026, the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) and other regulators released findings that Meta’s anti-scam measures on its platforms are insufficient. The report noted that scam listings, fake seller profiles, and payment fraud remain widespread on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shopping, and that Meta hasn’t implemented effective screening or takedown processes. This isn’t an isolated view: earlier in April, Dutch banks publicly urged Meta, TikTok, and Google to step up their fight against a surge in online fraud. The consistent message from regulators is that platforms aren’t doing their share, and consumers are left exposed.

Why this matters for anyone shopping on Meta platforms

Marketplace and Instagram Shopping are convenient, but they are also a feeding ground for scammers. Unlike eBay or Amazon, Meta doesn’t process payments or offer strong buyer protection by default. Sellers can create accounts with minimal verification and vanish after taking your money. According to the Dutch authorities, the number of reported shopping scams on these platforms has climbed sharply over the past two years, and most victims never get their money back. If you shop on these sites, you are essentially relying on the honesty of strangers—and on your own ability to spot a trap.

What readers can do: a practical checklist

You don’t need to stop using Facebook or Instagram, but you do need to treat every transaction with skepticism. Here are concrete steps you can take right now:

Pay only through methods with buyer protection. Never use wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps like Cash App or Venmo without seller protection. PayPal Goods and Services is a safe bet because it offers dispute resolution. Credit cards also give you chargeback rights. If a seller pressures you to pay outside the platform, that’s a major red flag.

Check the seller’s profile thoroughly. Look for: how long the account has existed, whether they have mutual friends, and whether they have posted other items for sale. A brand-new account with no other activity and a single high-value listing is suspicious. Reverse image search the listing photos—scammers often steal images from other sites.

Watch for too-good-to-be-true prices. If an item is priced at a fraction of its normal value, ask yourself why. Common scam lures include luxury bags, electronics, and concert tickets at unrealistic discounts. If it’s a “friend” offering a deal on behalf of someone else, or the seller claims they’re urgently moving, proceed carefully.

Keep all communication and payment on the platform. Meta offers some protection for transactions done through its built-in checkout on Instagram Shopping, but not for Marketplace. When a seller asks you to message them on WhatsApp or text, they are trying to get off Meta’s radar so you can’t report them. Stay on the platform’s messaging system and take screenshots of everything.

Enable purchase protection alerts where available. Some European banks now offer fraud alerts linked to social media transactions, and a few payment services let you flag risky purchases. Check your bank’s settings.

If you get scammed, act fast. Report the seller to Meta (use the “Report” button on the listing and profile). File a complaint with your local consumer protection agency or police cybercrime unit. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to attempt a chargeback. The sooner you act, the better your chances.

Additional context from the news

The Dutch banks’ joint call in April for Meta, TikTok, and Google to combat fraud highlighted that social media platforms are becoming the primary vector for online shopping scams. Meanwhile, the European Commission flagged broader concerns in May about data-driven fraud profiling, warning it could lead to discrimination. These developments show that regulators are watching, but progress is slow. Until platforms implement stronger identity verification and payment protections, consumers have to rely on the old rule: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Sources

  • NL Times, “Meta not doing nearly enough to combat online shopping scams, Dutch authorities say” (May 18, 2026)
  • NL Times, “Dutch banks urge Meta, TikTok and Google to fight online fraud surge” (April 28, 2026)
  • NL Times, “Commission cites discrimination risks in data-driven fraud profiling, urges a halt” (May 8, 2026)