Meta Under Fire for Not Stopping Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

If you’ve ever bought something on Facebook Marketplace or clicked a shopping ad on Instagram, you’re far from alone. Millions of people use Meta’s platforms every day to find deals, second-hand goods, and products from small sellers. But a growing number of those transactions end in disappointment—or outright theft. And now, Dutch regulators are publicly saying that Meta is not doing enough to stop it.

Here’s what the criticism is about, and—more importantly—how you can protect yourself right now.

What happened

In May 2026, Dutch authorities—specifically the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM)—called out Meta for what they described as insufficient action against online shopping scams on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shopping. According to the NL Times report, the regulator said Meta has been too slow to respond to fraudulent listings, does not vet sellers or advertisers thoroughly enough, and has not put adequate safeguards in place to prevent non-delivery scams and fake storefronts.

This is not an isolated complaint. A month earlier, Dutch banks had publicly urged Meta, along with TikTok and Google, to step up their fight against a surge in online fraud. The banking sector sees the fallout: stolen money often ends up being disputed through bank chargebacks, and consumers lose trust in digital payments. The ACM’s statement signals that regulators in Europe are growing impatient with the platforms’ self-policing efforts.

While Meta has made some changes over the years—such as introducing purchase protection for certain transactions—the Dutch authorities argue these measures remain patchy and insufficient. The criticism aligns with a broader pattern: similar concerns have been raised in the UK, Australia, and the United States.

Why it matters for everyday shoppers

The immediate takeaway is that the responsibility for staying safe on Meta’s platforms still falls largely on you, the buyer. Even as regulators push for better enforcement, fixes take time, and new scam tactics emerge faster than platforms can update their policies.

The most common scams on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shopping include:

  • Fake listings: Sellers post photos of items they don’t actually own, collect payment, and disappear.
  • Phishing via Messenger: Scammers send messages with links that look like payment pages but are designed to steal your login or credit card details.
  • Impersonator ads: Ads that look like they come from a trusted brand but redirect to a fraudulent checkout page.
  • Non-delivery scams: You pay, you never receive the product, and the seller blocks you.

Because Meta’s seller vetting is minimal—often just a Facebook profile with no identity verification—anyone can set up shop. Scammers exploit this by quickly creating new accounts after being reported.

What you can do now to protect yourself

Regulatory pressure may eventually push Meta to do more, but until then, your best defense is a set of practical habits. Here are steps you can take before handing over any money:

  1. Use in-app payment whenever possible. Facebook Marketplace offers a “checkout on Facebook” option that provides Purchase Protection for eligible items. This means Meta will cover you if the item never arrives or is not as described. Avoid wiring money, using Venmo, or sending payment via services that don’t offer buyer protection.

  2. Check the seller’s history and profile. Look at when the account was created. A profile made two weeks ago with no friends and a single listing is a major red flag. Also look for reviews from other buyers—though keep in mind that scam sellers can fabricate positive feedback.

  3. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true. If a brand-new iPhone is listed at half the retail price, there’s almost always a catch. Scammers rely on the lure of a bargain to override your caution.

  4. Request real photos, not stock images. Ask the seller to send a photo of the item with a hand-written note or a specific object in the frame. A legitimate seller will usually comply; a scammer will make excuses.

  5. Communicate within the platform. Keep all conversations on Facebook Messenger or Instagram DMs. If a seller pressures you to move to email, WhatsApp, or text, that’s a warning sign.

  6. Report suspicious listings. Use the “Report” button on any ad that seems fraudulent. It may feel like a drop in the bucket, but aggregated reports can help regulators and the platform identify patterns faster.

  7. Consider local pickup if possible. Meeting in person and inspecting the item before paying is still the safest route. Choose a public location, ideally during daylight, and bring a friend if you can.

The bottom line

The Dutch regulator’s criticism is a clear signal that Meta’s current approach to fraud prevention is not working as well as it should. Whether that leads to real changes within weeks or years remains unclear. For now, the safest path for consumers is to treat every transaction on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram Shopping with healthy skepticism, and to use the limited protections that exist—like in-app checkout—whenever possible.

Staying informed about the risks helps, but the real protection comes from building habits that make it harder for scammers to succeed. No platform will ever be completely free of bad actors, but you can make yourself a much harder target.

Sources

  • “Meta not doing nearly enough to combat online shopping scams, Dutch authorities say” – NL Times, May 18, 2026.
  • “Dutch banks urge Meta, TikTok and Google to fight online fraud surge” – NL Times, April 28, 2026.