Social media scams are on the rise across the United Kingdom, with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp being the platforms most commonly exploited by fraudsters. According to UK Finance, British victims lost over £1.2 billion to fraud in 2023, with a significant proportion originating from social media platforms. This guide explains how to report scams on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in the UK, what steps to take if you have been scammed, and how to protect yourself from the most common fraud tactics targeting British users.
Most Common Social Media Scams in the UK (2025)
Facebook Marketplace Scams
Facebook Marketplace fraud is one of the fastest-growing scam types in the UK. Common tactics include sellers advertising items that do not exist, buyers sending fake payment confirmations, deposit scams for rental properties, vehicle sale fraud where cars are advertised well below market value, and phishing messages sent through Marketplace chat. The UK’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau reported a 40% increase in Marketplace-related fraud complaints in 2024.
The “Hi Mum” WhatsApp Scam
This scam has cost UK families millions of pounds. The scammer sends a WhatsApp message pretending to be your child, claiming they have a new phone number and urgently need money for a bill, deposit, or emergency. The message typically begins with “Hi mum” or “Hi dad” and escalates quickly with emotional pressure. In 2024, UK victims lost an average of £1,950 each to this scam.
Instagram Investment Scams
Fraudsters hack genuine Instagram accounts or create convincing fake profiles and post stories about incredible investment returns — often related to cryptocurrency or forex trading. They use the trust and credibility of the hacked account to lure followers into sending money. UK users aged 18-34 are the primary targets of these scams.
Romance Scams on Facebook
Romance fraud through Facebook remains one of the most financially devastating scam types in the UK. Criminals create fake profiles, build emotional relationships over weeks or months, and then request money for fabricated emergencies, travel costs, or business ventures. UK victims of romance fraud lost an average of £8,000 each in 2024.
Phishing and Account Takeover
Phishing attacks targeting UK social media users come in many forms: fake emails pretending to be from Facebook or Instagram, messages claiming your account will be deleted unless you verify your details, fake “copyright infringement” notifications, and login pages that look identical to real Facebook or Instagram pages but steal your credentials.
How to Report a Scam on Facebook (UK)
1 Report the profile or page: Go to the scammer’s profile, tap the three dots (⋯), and select “Find support or report.” Choose “Scams” or “Fraud” as the reason.
2 Report the content: If it is a specific post, ad, or listing, tap the three dots on that content and select “Report.” Follow the prompts to categorise it as a scam.
3 Report Marketplace fraud: Open the Marketplace listing, tap the three dots, and report it. If you made a purchase through Facebook checkout, go to your order and click “Get Help with Order.”
4 Block the scammer: After reporting, block the account to prevent further contact.
5 Report to Action Fraud: Visit actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 to make an official police report.
How to Report a Scam on Instagram (UK)
1 Report the account: Go to the scammer’s profile, tap the three dots (⋯), and select “Report.” Choose “It’s posting content that shouldn’t be on Instagram” → “Scam or fraud.”
2 Report a DM: Open the message, tap and hold the specific message, and select “Report.” Alternatively, tap the profile name at the top of the chat and select “Report.”
3 Report sponsored content: Tap the three dots on the sponsored post and select “Report Ad.” Scam ads violate Instagram’s advertising policies.
4 Report to Action Fraud with screenshots of the scam account, messages, and any payment evidence.
How to Report a Scam on WhatsApp (UK)
1 Report within WhatsApp: Open the chat with the scammer, tap the contact name/number at the top, scroll down, and tap “Report.” This sends the last 5 messages (including media) to WhatsApp for review.
2 Forward to 7726: Forward the scam message to 7726, the UK’s official spam reporting number operated by Ofcom. This works for SMS and can be used to report the phone number.
3 Block the number: Tap the contact name, scroll down, and select “Block.”
4 Report to Action Fraud with all available evidence.
What to Do If You Have Been Scammed (UK Step-by-Step)
1 Contact your bank immediately. Call the fraud helpline on the back of your debit or credit card. If you paid via bank transfer, your bank may be able to recover the funds through the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code — many UK banks are signatories.
2 Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. You will receive a crime reference number which you need for your bank claim.
3 Report on the platform (Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp) using the steps above.
4 Secure your accounts. Change passwords on all accounts that may have been compromised. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere.
5 Check for identity theft. If you shared personal documents or details, contact the three UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
6 Report to the ICO if personal data was compromised — ico.org.uk
UK Organisations That Can Help
| Organisation | Contact | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Action Fraud | 0300 123 2040 / actionfraud.police.uk | Official UK fraud reporting |
| Citizens Advice | 0800 144 8848 / citizensadvice.org.uk | Free advice on scams and consumer rights |
| Financial Ombudsman Service | 0800 023 4567 / financial-ombudsman.org.uk | Disputes with banks over fraud claims |
| Victim Support | 0808 168 9111 / victimsupport.org.uk | Emotional support for fraud victims |
| National Cyber Security Centre | ncsc.gov.uk | Cyber security guidance |
| Trading Standards | Via Citizens Advice | Consumer protection and enforcement |
| 7726 (Spam Reporting) | Forward messages to 7726 | Report spam texts and calls to Ofcom |
How to Protect Yourself from Social Media Scams
Prevention is always better than cure. UK users can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to social media scams by following these practices: never send money to someone you have only met online, be suspicious of any deal that seems too good to be true (especially on Facebook Marketplace), verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a family member by calling their known number, never click on links in unsolicited messages even if they appear to come from Facebook or Instagram, enable two-factor authentication on all your social media accounts, use unique strong passwords for each platform, keep your apps updated to benefit from the latest security patches, be cautious about sharing personal information in public posts, and report suspicious activity immediately rather than ignoring it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp refund me if I am scammed?
The platforms themselves do not typically provide refunds. However, if you made a purchase through Facebook checkout and it qualifies for Purchase Protection, you may be able to get a refund. For all other scams, your best route to recovering money is through your bank’s fraud department and Action Fraud.
Can the police trace a scammer through social media?
Yes, UK police can request information from Meta about accounts used in criminal activity. However, prosecution depends on many factors including whether the scammer is based in the UK. Always report to Action Fraud as they coordinate with law enforcement nationally.
What is the “Hi Mum” scam and how do I spot it?
The “Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad” scam involves a message from an unknown number claiming to be your child with a new phone. They urgently request money via bank transfer. Always verify by calling your child on their known number. Genuine family members will not mind you checking.