Facebook users beware – there is a new phishing scam making the rounds that tries to trick you into handing over your login credentials. Scammers are sending Facebook page admins fraudulent messages claiming that their account is about to be blocked due to violations of Facebook’s terms of service. If you receive one of these messages, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Read on to learn more about how this scam works and what you should do if you are targeted.
Overview of the Scam
This phishing campaign targets Facebook page admins with an alarming message stating that their account or page is about to be banned for violating Facebook’s Community Guidelines. The message claims that if the recipient believes this is an error, they can submit a review request within 24 hours through a link provided in the message. If no action is taken, the message claims the account will be permanently disabled.
Of course, this is not actually a message from Facebook, but rather a scam designed to steal login credentials and take over Facebook accounts. The scam message is typically sent via Facebook Messenger to page admins. The language and formatting used closely resembles official Facebook communications, making the message seem legitimate on the surface.
Once users click on the phishing link, they are redirected to a fake Facebook login page that clones the real Facebook website. On this scam website, users are prompted to enter their Facebook login email and password to supposedly submit an appeal and unlock their account. However, in reality, any information entered is sent directly to the scammers behind the phishing attack.
Armed with stolen Facebook credentials, attackers can gain full access to compromised accounts. They often use these hijacked accounts to spread more phishing links or spam to the victim’s friends list. Stolen accounts can also be used to post clickbait links and scammy ads, which allows scammers to generate fraudulent revenue. Even worse, access to a page admin account gives scammers control over any linked Facebook Pages the victim manages. This allows them to post dangerous malware or inappropriate content under the guise of a legitimate Facebook Page.
Overall, this scam is quite devious, as it takes advantage of users’ fear of losing access to their account. The carefully crafted message tricks targets into handing over their login info without thinking twice. All it takes is entering your password once into the fake login page, and your account security is compromised. That’s why it’s critical that Facebook users learn to recognize and avoid this scam.
How the Scam Works
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of exactly how the “Your Account Will Be Blocked” Facebook scam operates:
1. Scammers Send Phishing Message
The scam campaign begins with scammers acquiring or purchasing lists of Facebook user IDs connected to page admin accounts. They target these page admin accounts because compromised pages can be abused to spread more scam links.
Using this list of target accounts, scammers craft a phishing message warning that the user’s Facebook account or page is about to be blocked for policy violations. The message is made to look like official communication from Facebook Support. The scam message will typically say that the account will be permanently disabled within 24 hours unless the recipient appeals by clicking a provided link.
2. Victim Clicks Link to Fake Facebook Site
If the recipient is fooled into thinking the message is real, they will likely click the link out of panic about losing their account. The phishing link redirects to a fake Facebook login page that mimics the design of the real Facebook site. This helps reinforce the illusion that they are on a legitimate Facebook support page.
3. User Attempts Login to Fake Page
On the fake Facebook page, victims are prompted to login to their account by entering their Facebook email and password. This is supposedly to submit an appeal and unlock the account before it is disabled. Unfortunately, any login credentials entered are sent directly to the scammers to be used however they want.
4. Scammers Gain Access to Compromised Accounts
Once scammers have successfully phished the victim’s login info, they gain full access to the compromised Facebook account. With this access, the scammers are free to leverage the account however they please.
They typically start by using the account to send more of the same phishing scam messages to the victim’s friends and network. This allows them to phish even more accounts and grow their scam. They may also post questionable links, content, and spam using the victim’s profile or any linked Pages they now control.
5. Account Owner Loses Control
Meanwhile, the real account owner will find they are locked out of their own Facebook account. With the scammers now controlling it, they have no way to regain access. The only option is to go through Facebook’s account recovery process. However, this can be difficult, especially if the scammers change login details like the password or linked email.
Overall, this scam succeeds by taking advantage of people’s fear of losing their social media presence. The threatening message triggers an emotional response that overrides logical skepticism about the legitimacy of the links and sites. Before they know it, victims have handed over the keys to their account to scammers.
What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam
If you inadvertently clicked on a “Your Account Will Be Blocked” Facebook phishing link and entered your login credentials, here are the steps you should take right away:
- Change your Facebook password immediately. This locks the scammers out and prevents further access to your account. Use a strong, unique password that isn’t used on any other sites.
- Turn on login approvals. Under Facebook settings, enable login approvals, which require you to enter a security code sent to your phone on every login attempt. This adds an extra layer of security.
- Check privacy settings. Review all your privacy and account settings to see if the scammers changed anything. Revert any unknown changes.
- Remove unknown apps or browsers. Check for any unfamiliar apps or browsers linked to your Facebook account that the scammers may have added and remove them.
- Review recent posts and messages. Scan your recent Facebook activity for any spam, inappropriate posts, or phishing links shared from your account while compromised. Delete these.
- Warn friends and followers. Let your Facebook friends know your account was compromised in case they received any suspicious messages during the hijack.
- Run antivirus software. Run a scan using updated antivirus software to check for any malware that may have been installed during the phishing attack.
- Contact Facebook. Use Facebook’s account recovery options to report the hack. You may need to submit ID to prove account ownership if login details were changed.
- Monitor activity. Keep a close eye on your Facebook account over the next few weeks to spot any unusual behavior that could indicate further misuse.
Catching and addressing a Facebook phishing attack quickly can help limit the damage. But move fast, or the scammers may do lasting harm to your account reputation or security before you regain control.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. A quick way to check is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free, one of the most trusted malware removal tools available. If you only visited a scam page and didn’t download or install anything, this scan is optional.
The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:
- Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
- Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
- Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
- Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for
👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The scan usually takes 5 to 20 minutes.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan
You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.
If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
When the scan is done, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.
Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
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Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Remove the detected apps.
When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
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Restart your phone.
When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
- Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.
- Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
- Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
- On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
- If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.
Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites
No scan can prove a device is completely clean, so it helps to block threats before they reach you. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
👉 Download AdGuard and browse safely
The Bottom Line
The “Your Account Will Be Blocked” phishing scam targeting Facebook users is on the rise. Scammers send fake violation warnings telling recipients to click a link to avoid an account blocking. The link leads to a convincing but fake Facebook login page designed to steal credentials. Armed with a victim’s username and password, scammers can take over accounts and use them to spread more scams.
If you receive an unsolicited message about your Facebook account being disabled, exercise extreme caution. Do not click any links or provide personal information. Check Facebook directly to verify an account violation before taking any action. Be very wary of links promising to resolve account issues, as they are likely phishing attempts. Avoiding traps like this requires always thinking twice before clicking. With awareness and vigilance, Facebook users can protect their accounts from these insidious phishing scams.
FAQ
Is this Facebook blocking message real or a scam?
This is a scam. Facebook does not send out messages threatening to disable accounts and directing users to appeal via questionable links. Any message claiming your account is about to be blocked is likely a phishing scam.
How do I report a Facebook phishing scam?
Forward the scam message to phish@fb.com. You can also report phishing posts by clicking the three dots in the top right corner and selecting “Find support or report post.”
What happens if scammers take over my Facebook account?
They may post spam links or inappropriate content, message your friends with more scams, access personal info in your profile, and link unfamiliar apps or browsers. Move quickly to change your password and secure the account.
Can I get my account back if I entered my Facebook login on a scam page?
Yes, you can recover your account by resetting the password and following Facebook’s hacked account process. But act fast before they change login details or do more damage.
How can I improve Facebook security to avoid scams?
Turn on login approvals, use strong unique passwords, remove unrecognized linked apps, be wary of suspicious messages/links, and enable Facebook protective features like two-factor authentication. Avoid clicking questionable links, even if they seem to come from friends. And never provide your login info unless on the real Facebook website.
What are signs of a Facebook phishing scam page?
Fake Facebook pages used for phishing may have a slightly different URL, missing verification checkmarks, spelling errors, or different fonts/formatting. The page may ask you to log in or enter personal info in a way that the real Facebook would not. Always check the URL and closely examine any login page.
Should I click Facebook appeal links to unlock my account?
No, any links claiming your account is disabled and offering an appeal process are scams trying to phish your password. Facebook does not disable accounts without notice and provide links for appeals. If your account is ever disabled, log into Facebook directly to submit an appeal.
What precautions can Facebook Page admins take against phishing?
Use strong unique passwords, limit admin roles, be extra cautious of odd messages, avoid clicking unverified links, secure accounts with two-factor authentication, monitor activity logs for unauthorized access, and contact Facebook if you suspect your account has been compromised.
Will Facebook compensate me if my account is hacked due to a phishing scam?
No, Facebook is not liable for damages caused by phishing scams or account hijacking. All users are responsible for properly securing their own accounts and avoiding phishing links. Make sure to follow Facebook security best practices.
In summary, be vigilant against any Facebook message that seems suspicious. Look out for scam warning signs, enable protective account features, and think twice before clicking links or entering login credentials. With proper precautions, you can protect your Facebook account and avoid surrendering it to phishing scammers.
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