Scammed on Facebook Marketplace: What Should I Do in the First Hour?

Paid a scammer on Facebook Marketplace? What to do in the first hour: contact your bank, report the seller, save evidence and report to police.

Md Shariar Shanaz ShuvonMd Shariar Shanaz ShuvonFounder & CEO, AwareXone
2 min read
Cover card with a payment card and report flag, for the first hour after a Marketplace scam.
Short answer

If you've been scammed on Facebook Marketplace, call your bank or payment provider immediately to try to stop or reverse the payment, then report the seller and listing to Facebook. Save screenshots of chats, the listing and payment proof. Report to the police: Report Fraud in the UK, ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US, or 997 in Malaysia.

Summary
  • Call your bank first; speed matters.
  • Report the seller and listing in Marketplace.
  • Screenshot chats and payment details.
  • Report to police or your national fraud service.
  • Watch for recovery scammers afterwards.
Table of contents4 sections
  1. 01What should I do right now?
  2. 02Where do I report?
  3. 03What common mistakes should I avoid?
  4. 04When should I ask an expert before I act?

The first hour matters most. Here's a checklist.

Last checked: 29 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide.

#What should I do right now?

  1. Call your bank or card issuer.
  2. Screenshot the chat, profile and listing.
  3. Report the seller in Marketplace.
  4. Report to police or your fraud service.
  5. Change passwords if you shared any details.

#Where do I report?

CountryReport to
UKReport Fraud (0300 123 2040)
USReportFraud.ftc.gov and IC3
MalaysiaNSRC 997, then police
SingaporeScamShield or police
AustraliaReportCyber and your bank

Related guides: Forgot Your Messenger PIN? Can You Restore Encrypted Chats?.

#What common mistakes should I avoid?

  • Waiting before calling the bank.
  • Deleting the chat.
  • Paying a 'recovery agent'.
  • Sending more money to 'unlock' a refund.

#When should I ask an expert before I act?

Ask for help before you appeal if the account matters to your income, your business or your memories, if you have already had one appeal rejected, or if you cannot tell whether the problem is a bug, a restriction or a hack. That is where most avoidable losses happen.

AwareXone has solved 1,300+ cases and works only through official platform processes. Support is available 24 hours, every day. We never ask for your password, login codes or backup codes, and we never name our clients. Request a free case review or message us on WhatsApp. Malaysian cases are priced in MYR; other markets are quoted in USD after review.

AwareXone is independent and not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or Threads. Recovery work is best-effort and the platform makes the final decision.

Will Facebook refund me?
Usually not for off-platform payments.
Can the bank reverse it?
Sometimes, if you act fast.
The seller blocked me. What now?
Report from the listing link and to police.
Someone offers to recover my money?
That's usually a second scam.
Can AwareXone check my case before I appeal?
Yes. AwareXone offers a free case review. Send us what you see on screen and what you have already tried, and an expert will tell you whether to appeal, wait or take another route. We never ask for your password or codes.

Official sources

More free guides on the same kind of problem.