Quick answer
Meta’s warning signs: the match wants to leave Facebook Dating straight away for email or another messaging app, says they’re in love very quickly, plans to visit but cancels after “something bad happened”, or asks you to send money, gifts or gift cards, often for travel, medical bills, hotels or visas. Don’t reply: report and block them, and never send money. If you already have, contact your bank and local police right away. Keep chats inside Dating, keep identifying details private, and meet in public with your own way home.
Does this match what you see?
- A match you’ve never met asks for money, gifts or gift cards.
- They want to move to WhatsApp, email or another app almost immediately.
- They say they love you within days.
- They planned to visit, then something bad happened and they need help.
- They ask for your address, workplace, phone number or financial details.
iPhone & iPadAndroid
Facebook Dating is in the Facebook app for iPhone and Android. Meta’s safety advice applies wherever you chat or meet.
Why this happens: the possible causes
How romance scams on Dating usually work, according to Meta.
- Fake or compromised accountsCheck this first
Meta says scammers may use fake or compromised accounts to trick you into giving them money or personal information.
- Moving off DatingCheck this first
Meta lists wanting to leave Facebook Dating immediately for personal email or a messaging app as a warning sign.
- Fast feelings, then a crisisCheck this first
Meta’s signs include claiming to be in love very quickly, and planning to visit but cancelling because something bad happened, followed by a request for money.
- No background checksPossible
Meta says Facebook Dating doesn’t run criminal background checks or other screenings, and people may misrepresent themselves, including their gender or sexual orientation.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Has this person asked for money, gifts or gift cards, for any reason? Meta says that’s likely a scam. Don’t send anything.
- Have they pushed to move off Facebook Dating straight away?
- Are you keeping your last name, address, workplace and phone number out of your profile and chats?
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Know Meta’s warning signs
Meta lists these as common warning signs of a scammer on Facebook Dating.
- They want to leave Facebook Dating immediately and use personal email or a messaging app.
- They claim to be in love very quickly, to persuade you to keep talking.
- They plan to visit, then cancel because something bad happened.
- They ask you to wire money or send gifts or gift cards, often for travel, medical emergencies, hotel or hospital bills, or visas.
Meta’s rule of thumb: any online love interest who asks for money is likely a scammer.
Did it work? You can recognize the pattern before any money or personal details are involved.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Asked for money? Don’t reply: report and block
Meta says never to respond to requests to send money, wire transfers or donations, and to report the person instead of replying.
- Don’t send money, gift cards or gifts, however urgent or sad the story.
- Report the conversation: in the Facebook app, tap Menu, then Dating > Matches, open the conversation, tap Options (top right) > Report this conversation, choose a reason and follow the steps.
- Report a suggested match instead: open their Dating profile, tap Options > Report [name’s] profile, and follow the steps.
- Meta says it won’t let the person know you reported them.
- Block the profile: from Matches, tap their Dating profile picture > Options (top right) > Block [name] in Dating > Block.
- Blocking in Dating doesn’t block them on Facebook or Messenger, Meta says. If they’ve contacted you there too, block them on Facebook as well (profiles you block on Facebook are automatically blocked in Dating).
- Stop communicating with anyone who pressures or tricks you for financial information, as Meta advises.
Meta says it reviews up to the 100 most recent messages in a reported conversation, or up to 30 if the report comes from an account in the European Union. Meta’s steps say Menu is at the top left; on the Android phone we checked, it was at the top right.
Did it work? The person is reported and blocked, and no money has been sent.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 3: Already sent money? Act now
Meta says to contact your bank and local law enforcement right away if you think you sent money to a scammer. Speed matters.
- Call your bank or payment provider immediately, using the number on your card or their official app, and ask whether the payment can be stopped or recalled.
- Paid with gift cards? As general advice, contact the gift card company quickly with the card details and your receipt.
- Report it to local police.
- Report the fraud nationally: in the US to ReportFraud.ftc.gov (external site, opens in a new tab), in the UK to Action Fraud (external site, opens in a new tab), in Canada to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (external site, opens in a new tab), in Australia to Scamwatch (external site, opens in a new tab), and in EU countries through your country’s site listed on Europol’s Report cybercrime online (external site, opens in a new tab) page.
- Report the person on Facebook, and keep screenshots of the profile and messages.
- If you shared login codes or passwords, secure your account: see Facebook hacked.
Be wary of anyone who then offers to “recover” your money for a fee. That’s a second scam. See account recovery scams.
Did it work? Your bank and the police know, and the scammer is reported.
Did Fix 3 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 3. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 4: Keep identifying details out of your profile and chats
Meta says your Dating profile is visible to anyone on Dating, and advises keeping identifying information private.
- Remove your last name, email, home address, phone number, work address and financial information from your Dating profile, as Meta advises.
- Don’t share them in chats either.
- Report and block anyone who asks for this kind of information, or who seems suspicious.
- Keep conversations inside Facebook Dating until you know the person, as Meta recommends.
Did it work? Your Dating profile and chats contain no identifying details.
Did Fix 4 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 4. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Meeting in person: Meta’s safety tips
Meta says to take your time and really get to know someone before meeting. People may misrepresent themselves, and Dating doesn’t run background checks. When you do meet, Meta suggests:
- Tell someone your plans: a trusted friend or family member should know where you’re going and when you expect to be home. Consider a group or double date.
- Share your location with that person while you’re out.
- Meet and stay in public, where other people are around. Check out the place ahead of time if you can.
- Watch alcohol and substances, and keep your drink in your hand or in sight.
- Keep your phone charged and with you.
- Arrange your own transport there and back. Never agree to be picked up at home.
- Don’t feel obliged to share your home address or workplace.
Meta’s policy also says sexual conduct without consent violates the Dating Safety Policy and the law. For anyone affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, Meta points to Lila.help (external site, opens in a new tab), a global directory of support resources.
Meta’s rules for Dating profiles
Meta says everyone on Dating must follow its Community Standards. Its Dating rules also say:
- Don’t misrepresent your identity, by claiming or implying to be someone you’re not.
- Don’t mislead others about who you are or what you’re doing, including your name, age or location.
- Don’t sell, advertise or solicit goods or services.
- Photos that include a minor must clearly show an adult too. Photos of an unclothed minor are never allowed.
A profile that breaks these rules (for example, one selling something, or using someone else’s identity) is worth reporting: see Fix 2. If your own Dating profile was removed or restricted, check these rules first, then see Facebook Dating not showing.
Asked to verify your Dating profile?
Meta says it may ask users to verify their Dating profile to prevent impersonation or underage use. You must be at least 18 and have an account in good standing to use Dating. Dating is only available in some countries: for example, Meta’s list includes the US, Canada, the UK and most of the EU, but not Australia. See Facebook Dating not showing for the list and other reasons Dating may be missing.
Typical scam messages (examples, not real messages)
These are common patterns, written in our own words to match Meta’s warning signs. The details change; the shape stays the same.
“Let’s talk on WhatsApp instead, I’m hardly ever on here.”- What it usually means
- An early push to leave Dating.
- What to do
- Stay on Dating until you know them. Warning signs
“I was on my way to see you, but I’ve been robbed. Can you help with the ticket?”- What it usually means
- A cancelled visit followed by a money request.
- What to do
- Don’t send money. Report and block. Fix 2
“Please buy a gift card and send me the code.”- What it usually means
- Gift cards are a common way scammers take money.
- What to do
- Never send codes. Report and block. Fix 2
How to know it worked
- You haven’t sent money or personal details to anyone you met on Dating.
- Suspicious matches are reported and blocked.
- You know Meta’s safety tips before meeting anyone.
Still not working? Your next steps
- If money was sent, follow Fix 3 straight away.
- If someone is using your photos to create a fake profile, see Someone made a fake Facebook account of you.
- For scams on Marketplace, see Marketplace scams.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
- Facebook Help: Facebook Dating Safety PolicyFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Facebook Help: report something in Facebook DatingFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Facebook Help: keeping Facebook Dating safe (rules)Facebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Facebook Help: who can use Facebook DatingFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if someone on Facebook Dating is a scammer?
Meta’s warning signs: they want to leave Dating immediately, claim to be in love very quickly, plan to visit but cancel after something bad happens, or ask for money, gifts or gift cards. Meta says any online love interest who asks for money is likely a scammer.
What should I do if a match asks for money?
Don’t reply or send anything. Report and block them. Meta says to stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for financial information.
I sent money to someone from Facebook Dating. What now?
Contact your bank and local police right away, as Meta advises, report the fraud to your national service, and report the person on Facebook.
Does Facebook Dating do background checks?
No. Meta says Facebook Dating doesn’t conduct criminal background checks or other screenings, such as sex offender register searches.
Will the person know I reported them?
Meta says it won’t let the person know that you reported them.
How do I report someone on Facebook Dating?
In the Facebook app go to Menu > Dating > Matches, open the conversation, tap Options and choose Report this conversation. For a suggested match, open their profile, tap Options and choose Report [name’s] profile.
Does blocking someone in Dating block them on Facebook?
No. Meta says blocking in Dating doesn’t block them on Facebook or Messenger. But profiles you block on Facebook are automatically blocked in Dating.
How do I unblock someone in Facebook Dating?
In Dating, tap Profile (top right) > Settings > Privacy Settings > Block people in Dating, then tap Unblock next to the person.
How many messages does Facebook review when I report a Dating chat?
Meta says up to the 100 most recent messages, or up to 30 for reports from accounts in the European Union.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Facebook Dating Safety Policy (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Keeping Facebook Dating Safe (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report something in Facebook Dating (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Block or unblock a profile in Facebook Dating (external site, opens in a new tab)
- What happens when you report something on Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Who can use Facebook Dating (external site, opens in a new tab)
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Action Fraud – report fraud and cyber crime (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report fraud and cybercrime (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report a scam (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report Cybercrime online (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 21 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 19 January 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 21 October 2026: Added Meta’s rules for Dating profiles (help/1017534765527490).
- 21 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Facebook. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.