Stop Spam and Unknown Messages on Messenger With These Privacy Settings

Unwanted messages, suspicious links and repeated requests from strangers can make Facebook Messenger difficult—and sometimes unsafe—to use. While it may not be possible to prevent every unknown person from attempting contact, Messenger includes several privacy and safety controls that can reduce unwanted conversations.

The Message Delivery section lets users decide whether messages from different categories of people should enter their Chats list, go to Message Requests or not be received. Messenger also provides tools for restricting, blocking and reporting accounts that send spam or appear to be involved in fraud.

Menu names and available options may differ slightly depending on the device, account and version of the Messenger application.

How to Control Who Can Message You on Messenger

To review message-delivery settings in the Messenger mobile application:

1. Open Messenger.

2. Tap the Menu button.

3. Select Settings.

4. Open Privacy & safety.

5. Tap Message delivery.

6. Select each available category of people.

7. Choose how messages from that category should be handled.

Depending on the account, Messenger may display categories such as people who have your phone number, friends of friends, accounts you follow or have communicated with, and other users on Facebook or Instagram.

For each category, available choices may include:

• Delivering messages to the main Chats list

• Sending them to Message Requests

• Not receiving requests from that category

Meta’s official guidance confirms that users can manage these categories through Privacy & safety > Message delivery. 

Sending unfamiliar contacts to Message Requests is usually a practical middle option. It keeps them away from the primary inbox while allowing the user to review legitimate requests.

What Are Message Requests?

Messages from people outside your regular network may be placed in a separate Message Requests section instead of appearing directly with conversations from friends and known contacts.

This reduces disruption and gives users time to examine the sender’s profile before responding. Some suspected spam may be filtered even further into a Spam folder.

Opening or reviewing a request does not mean you must reply. Before responding, check the sender’s profile, mutual connections, recent activity and the nature of the message.

A request should be treated cautiously if it contains:

• An urgent demand for money

• A prize or investment offer

• A shortened or unfamiliar link

• A request for an OTP or password

• A claim that your account will be suspended

• An unexpected attachment

• A request to move the conversation to another platform

• Impersonation of a friend, company or government official

Use Restrict for Unwanted but Non-Emergency Contact

Messenger’s Restrict option can be useful when someone is bothering you but you do not want to block them immediately.

On supported versions of Messenger, you can tap and hold the conversation and then choose Restrict. Restricted conversations are separated from the regular Chats list, and the person may not receive the same indications about your activity or whether you have seen their messages.

Meta provides Restrict as one of several tools for handling unwanted interactions. 

Restricting is different from blocking. It quietly reduces contact, while blocking is intended to stop the person from messaging or calling you through Messenger.

Block Accounts That Continue to Harass You

If an unknown account repeatedly sends unwanted messages, threats, abusive content or fraudulent offers, blocking may be the appropriate action.

Open the conversation, select the person’s name or conversation information, and look for the Block option. Messenger may offer different blocking choices, including blocking messages and calls or blocking the Facebook profile more broadly.

Choose the option that fits the situation. Blocking messages may stop Messenger contact without necessarily applying every restriction associated with blocking the person’s full Facebook profile.

Meta lists blocking, restricting, deleting and reporting among its tools for dealing with unwanted Messenger contact. 

Report Spam, Fraud and Abusive Messages

Blocking protects your inbox, but reporting can help Meta review the account or content for possible rule violations.

To report a particular message on supported versions:

1. Open the conversation.

2. Tap and hold the suspicious message.

3. Select More.

4. Tap Report.

5. Choose the category that best explains the problem.

6. Submit the report.

Users may be able to report an entire conversation from the chat information screen. Meta asks users to select a relevant reason so the content can be reviewed appropriately. 

Save screenshots or other evidence before deleting a conversation if the message involves threats, financial fraud or another matter that may need to be reported to the police or cybercrime authorities.

Review Messenger’s Scam Detection Setting

Messenger also provides scam-detection features for suspicious conversations on supported accounts. This system may identify patterns commonly associated with fraud and display warnings.

Users can review the option under Privacy & safety > Scam detection, although its availability may vary by region and app version. 

An automated warning is useful, but it should not replace personal caution. A message can still be fraudulent even if Messenger does not display an alert.

Never Click Suspicious Links

Spam messages often attempt to create panic or excitement. A sender may claim that your account has been reported, offer a valuable prize or pretend to be someone you know.

Do not click a link until you have independently verified the sender. Never enter a Facebook password on a page opened through an unexpected message.

Facebook and Meta representatives will not ask for your password or login verification code through an ordinary Messenger conversation. OTPs, recovery codes and two-factor authentication codes should never be shared.

If you believe you entered your password on a fake page, change it immediately, log out of unfamiliar sessions and enable two-factor authentication.

Use Privacy Checkup Regularly

Facebook’s Privacy Checkup helps users review who can see their information and how their account is protected. It can be accessed from Facebook’s privacy settings and should be reviewed periodically. 

Combining Message Delivery controls with Restrict, Block, Report and Scam Detection can significantly reduce unwanted contact. No setting can eliminate every suspicious message, but careful privacy management and safer clicking habits can prevent many common Messenger scams.