UPDATE: If you are experiencing this issue—and it seems that a lot of people are—I’m afraid I have no quick or easy fix to recover your Facebook account. Click here for the update that shares what worked for me and others. Do you have a solution that’s not listed here? Let me know and I’ll add it to the post.
This is not a blog post about travel, history, nature, or tea, although, as always, a lot of tea was consumed in the composition of it. Instead, I hope this serves as a cautionary tale about how to potentially avoid the mistakes that have seen me locked out of Facebook for over a month. While I am all in favour of digital detoxes, this is not exactly what I had in mind!
It started in mid-December with an email from Facebook saying that someone was trying to reset my password. Simple question: is this you or not? I clicked the button for “not” and was told that I didn’t have to do anything else. Whew, that was close …
Except that a few hours later I received a similar message. Again, I clicked that it wasn’t me. But something had changed: I no longer had control of the account. The hackers were in and the race was on … but it wasn’t a race I could win. While I was going through the Facebook process for securing my account and changing my password, the hackers did two things that have now made it impossible for me to log back in.
First, a long-defunct email address that I must have listed somewhere in the bowels of my Facebook settings was re-registered and all of my other email addresses were deleted. Everything now points to an address only the hackers have access to. The default recovery—sending a code to your email address—is now useless.
Second, they activated two-factor authentication. This is supposed to increase the security of a system because you need to enter a code in addition to your password. The problem occurs when, again, it points away from the account owner and to the hackers instead.
I found myself in the centre of a perfect storm of my own lax security, with hackers who had engaged in the digital equivalent of pouring glue in a lock.
“But surely,” you’re thinking, “Facebook must have a way around this!” After all, extinct email accounts, hackers, and not taking online security as seriously as we should is practically old hat by now. And Facebook is a multi-gazillion dollar company: they must have solutions, right?
And you’re not wrong: they do have systems in place.
One option seemed to be an automatic ID reader: you enter an email address you still have access to and hold up an ID to your webcam. Seems simple enough … but I tried several different forms of ID, including my passport, and every message I received said:
We can’t give you access to this account or help with your request until we receive an accepted form of ID that matches the information listed on the account.
The other choice is sending in a photograph of ID. I assumed this would be checked by an actual person and I would be back in within a few days (or a few weeks at most—after all, this occurred just before Christmas). Dozens of ID photographs later and I still haven’t heard anything.
I took to Twitter to complain, but I discovered that using words like “Facebook”, “account”, and “hacked” in the same tweet brought with it a new problem: random accounts messaged me promising to fix the issue. It felt as sleazy as being hacked in the first place.
I investigated the problem via Facebook’s help section and discovered that the misuse of two-factor authentication in this way was not uncommon. Indeed, there are multiple threads about the exact same issue, with the exact same lack of response. The only person who seems to have found a solution is Christopher, who commented that he was able to get control of his account back only after he bought an Oculus VR device and needed to register it. But it’s not all doom and gloom: I can see that I have over a hundred notifications on the account at the moment, indicating that the hackers have been kicked out too.
Over the past month, I’ve read a lot about how you can try to get your account back after it’s been hacked, but I wanted to share a few thoughts about how to try to prevent this from happening in the first place.
First, please remember that hacking by strangers isn’t personal: it’s simply about gathering as much information as possible that can be sold on in bulk (here’s an example about Depop published just this week). For many of us, Facebook has been a part of our lives for years; in my case, probably close to fifteen. Over that time, we leave a lot of nuggets of information lying around that can be valuable to those who trade in it. Credit card used to donate to a friend’s birthday collection? Or perhaps running Facebook ads? Or maybe we just use the same password to log into Facebook as we do for other accounts? It’s all useful to someone.
Because it’s not personal, you can’t predict whether you may or may not be a target. Instead, it’s best to proactively keep an eye on your data.
- Are your account details up to date? Remove old email addresses from your account. In particular, I recommend avoiding anything from the provider Mail.com. I originally left them over a decade ago as I found my account was getting increasingly spammy, and the fact that they allow old accounts to be re-registered by anyone is a big security issue. And, in case you’re wondering, I did contact them to try to regain control of the ancient email account: no luck.
- Set trusted contacts: I sort of thought I had done this, but apparently not (or perhaps removed by the hackers?). As the name implies, trusted contacts are people that you trust who are given codes that you can use to get back into your account if you get locked out.
- Turn on two-factor authentication: If you have not already done so, activate two-factor authentication using your own details. It seems like such a hassle to have to enter a code in addition to your password, but, trust me, being locked out of your account is a bigger headache!
- Get recovery codes: You can also get a series of codes that can be used if you don’t have access to your phone.
- Set trusted people as admins if you run Facebook groups: I am very fortunate that I do not rely on social media for my business, but I do run a handful of Facebook groups. I’m the only administrator, so this means that I have lost control of them for the time being. Whether you run a group or page for your business, community organisation, or something else, set up another admin or two so you can continue to post and engage with your audience.
- Go through security settings (and change passwords!) on a regular basis: I think this is something we all know we should do, but often don’t. With so much of our lives spent online—especially now since face-to-face events are more or less cancelled—it’s important to make sure that we’ve done everything in our power to keep us connected.
So, what happens next? In theory, I could set up a new Facebook account, but, quite frankly, I don’t have the energy: I feel my time could be better spent on so many other things. So, for the time being, if you want to get in touch, please drop me a line via email.
UPDATE:
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION BEFORE COMMENTING OR CONTACTING ME
I am always sorry to hear about people experiencing Facebook hacking and I completely understand your frustration, but I do not have any additional information beyond what is published here.
If you have a new solution that is not listed, I would be happy to publish it, but I cannot provide any technical assistance.
UPDATE APRIL 2021:
I always expected this Royal Wedding blog post to be my most popular, but instead this one has eclipsed it by some ways. I am sorry to hear that so many people are also dealing with Facebook’s two-factor authentication problem.
If you have not already done so, please make sure you report that your account has been hacked. A friend can do this for you by selecting the […] button from your profile then going to “Find support or report profile”. They should then be able to report it as hacked. You can also check out this website to see if any of the suggestions work for you.
I managed to get my account back after four months of going through the process of sending in my ID. I have no secret to recovering Facebook accounts, so there is no need to ask me to email you hidden information: I do not have any. I simply went through the recovery process every 7-10 days, selecting that I could not authorise using 2FA. This meant that I wasn’t blocked for spamming Facebook. You can probably fill out the forms more often, but it will block you if you do too many in one day.
Eventually, the automated ID reader popped up and actually read my ID properly. As I wrote in the original blog post, this initially did not work for me; I’m unsure why.
I also do not know what makes different forms pop up when you go through the recovery process. In my experience, most of the time it was a standard “attach your photo ID here” type of thing. This never worked for me, but some people have had success with it.
At present it seems like a lottery as to who is able to unlock their account and how long it takes to do so; it took me four months while others managed to get back into Facebook within a week.
It’s always great to hear from others who have recovered their account, and these are the suggestions that have been sent to me:
- Ordering an Oculus device: This was mentioned in the Facebook help threads, and several others have told me they had success with it. You can read more about this in the comments.
- Yet another form: I’ve heard from at least one person who lucked out with this one: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339
- Different forms of ID: This successful account unlocker isn’t sure what worked, but I think her suggestion to try a different type of ID may be worth doing:
I had to log-in through Google Chrome on my phone. When I got the Enter Code page, I clicked on “Having Trouble,” then “I don’t have my phone,” then “Contact Us.” From there, I had to enter my email address and submit ID. I had been submitting my driver’s license, but this time I submitted my marriage license. I don’t know if it was the strange form of identification that did the trick or what, but my ID was accepted and I was sent an email with the subject line “Thank you for submitting your ID.”
The first link in the email started the loop all over again, but the second paragraph gave me a code to enter instead. I FINALLY got through and confirmed my cell phone’s web browser as a recognized browser. When the next page loaded, it said my account was locked. I had to close the page I was on, re-login to Facebook on my phone browser and I was able to go through the process of unlocking my account, which involved identifying friends and removing the hacker’s email address.
- App Swap: One person recovered their account using the following steps:
- Desktop: I know a lot of people are having trouble even having their IDs accepted by Facebook, but if you have managed to get this far and are still having trouble, give this solution a try:
When you go through the process of sending a photo of your ID to be verified and you receive the email from Facebook confirming your ID is accepted with a link to reset your password, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK IN THE EMAIL!!!! Instead, follow the instructions further down in the email which says something along the lines of
‘Alternatively, type https://www.facebook.com into your browser and use the following code as your password: [code]
This WILL WORK EVEN IF 2FA IS ENABLED BY THE HACKER! It will ask you to confirm some of your Facebook friend’s profiles and then allow you to reset your password and remove the hacker’s email and telephone number and get back into your account, at which point you can turn off 2FA! Once you’ve done that you can log in through your mobile app again!
When you click the link in the email it takes you to the mobile Facebook site which seems to be the source of the issue, YOU NEED TO DO THIS FROM A DESKTOP!
I was locked out for almost a month and read this somewhere, tried it and it worked! Please try this method! I hope it helps some people out!
- Persistence … and a clear photo: This is similar to what worked for me (and also took four months), but I think Sara’s recommendation to make sure the image is as clear as possible is really important. Make sure you have plenty of natural light or try to reduce glare as much as possible. I doubt that a real person is looking at the ID, so the image has to be something a computer can easily read.
Best Option: https://m.facebook.com/login/identify
I have tried the following ways of uploading:
- With a mobile device, which you must have the id in front of you as it is a photo you must take.
- On a desktop, and I uploaded a photo file.
- On a laptop, using the webcam to recognize the id …. this eventually is what finally worked!! (preferred) You will need to finagle it so you can get a clear image, but be persistent. And if it is rejected once, send it again.
It took me from August until December
Ben provided this information about ensuring your photo ID is as clear as possible:
- Make sure that all four corners of the ID are visible in the photo.
- Use a flat surface to take the photo. Don’t take the photo at an angle.
- Use a clear and focused image.
- Make sure that the photo isn’t blurry.
- Avoid glare and shadows.
- Text and images on the photo must be clearly visible.
- Use a dark background; white or light-coloured backgrounds won’t be accepted.
- Show all info on your ID. Photos that have been digitally modified to hide information won’t be accepted. You can still cover sensitive information physically, such as with stickers or tape.
- Phone it in: A commenter recently shared that they were able to unlock their account by submitting their ID via their phone.
Get political: Many thanks to Sara for sharing how she got her Facebook account back. I never would have considered this, but she contacted her MP, whose team was able to contact Facebook. Facebook requested a new email address that wasn’t associated with any Meta-account; they were then able to reset the account to the new email address for both Facebook and Instagram.
Brian employed a similar tactic in the US by contacting his local attorney general. This ended up with the same advice: change the email address. Which brings us to …
- Use a different email address: Two people have reported being able to recover their account by changing the email address to something that is NOT associated with Facebook or Meta. This allowed them to eventually receive a recovery link. Brian has shared a video about his experience that is worth a watch.
UPDATE APRIL 2022:
Based on the number of emails and comments I still receive about the Facebook two-factor authentication hack, here’s a quick summary of everything that is listed above:
- Make sure your account is reported as hacked: you can have a friend or family member do this for you.
- Check this site just in case one of the suggestions works for you: https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
- Please be aware that emails to Facebook are not read by a real person, but instead go through an automated system. Spamming the system will not help.
- I do not recommend using people who contact you through social media saying they can hack your account to recover it for you. They appear to be preying on desperation, and I would hate to see people lose money on top of being locked out of Facebook. Please be aware of recovery scams (social media specific are mentioned around the 2:30 mark of this video). If you wish to pay for account recovery, I would recommend trying a more legitimate source. The company Hacked.com advertises it has a 90% success rate at recovering Facebook accounts; it costs $329 for a personal Facebook account. Please note: I have not used them myself and cannot vouch for them.
- I have tried to get media attention about this problem for over a year without any success. If you know anyone in the media—print, digital, radio, TV, anything—who would be willing to publish something about Facebook’s two-factor authentication problem, please feel free to point them to this blog post.
- All of the solutions I have received are listed in the April 2021 update posted above; I do not have any information beyond what is shared here or in the comments:
- There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the 2FA problem: what works for one person may not work for another. While I hope everyone is able to recover their account, unfortunately I cannot guarantee any of these tips will work for you. It appears to be completely random as to who is able to get back in. All I can say is good luck and please keep trying.
- I am happy to publish your solution if you are able to unlock your account. This page gets a lot of spam through the comments, so it is best to contact me directly if you have something to share.
- Finally, a gentle reminder that this is a personal travel blog, and I run a business as an editor and instructor in higher education—I am not connected to Facebook in any way and cannot provide tech support.
UPDATE MARCH 2023:
All of the information I have about the Facebook two-factor authentication problem is listed in this blog post. I will no longer be responding to emails or messages regarding this issue since I cannot provide any further assistance.
Any updates regarding potential solutions can be found in the text above, but I must re-iterate that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to unlocking your hacked Facebook or Instagram account. I wish you the best of luck with it, but this is a personal blog and I’m afraid I cannot provide any technical support.
UPDATE JANUARY 2024:
I know people are desperate to get back into their accounts, but I would recommend not paying “hackers” who promise to solve your problems. More about recovery scams can be found here (around the 2:30 mark).
PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any additional information beyond what is published here.
If you have any other ways of recovering a hacked Facebook account where 2FA has been enabled, please let me know and I will update this post.
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Hello!
Just reaching out as the same thing has just happened to me a couple of days ago! It’s super distressing, and this morning they seem to be trying to get into my instagram account too. When does it end!
How did you get the option of holding ID up to a webcam? All I’ve found is that form that you can submit a photo of your ID on- of course, I’ve had no reply. I’m also in the UK, not sure if that makes a difference in contacting them?
I was just wondering if you ever got a reply from facebook/ managed to get back in? Like you, I have about a decade of photos on there, and also just feel really uncomfortable that a hacker still has access to my account!
It’s reassuring to read that it’s not personal. Of course, it just feels horrible intrusive.
x
Author
I’m so sorry this has happened to you too, Anna. I’ve just responded to you via email.
Hi there! The same thing happened to me and I am STRUGGLING. I run multiple facebook accounts for my clients through my personal account and am at a complete loss. If you have found a solution, please do share!
Author
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this too, but I’m afraid I don’t have a quick solution for it. I’ve just emailed you some more information.
Aaaaaaaaaaaargh the same thing has just happened to my wife……
Rage doesn’t do anything but its sooo frustrating being sent round & round in circles and no-one to contact or speak with and zero support form Facebook …..
it seems like her account has now been completely deleted so there goes 15 years of memories & photos down the pan…
has anyone had any success getting there account recovered from Facebook yet? any quick tips? we can’t get passes that Bloody 2FA
Author
I am sorry to hear that your wife is going through this as well. All of the information I have to date is published in the update within the blog post.
Jamie, You will never bypass the 2FA. Ironically the thing that was set up for Your security has been used by the hackers to lock You out. Worse still is as far as Facebook is concerned You are now the hacker because Your details don’t match the security settings. How many people that were hacked have now obligingly sent details of their passport, driving license etc to F.B? Do You think Facebook would tell You if the hackers now had access to these?
Unfortunately I’m at the stage where I think if there is enough of Us We should take collective action and have a solicitor send FB a letter demanding they resolve this.
Very helpful Elaine. I’ve just fallen victim.It seems people that use a desktop to get back in have more success than by a mob phone.Ive also noticed that the site where You can look for login problems anywhere F.book currently has 52%. Also in My circle of friends there seems to be a sudden spike on hacked accounts
PS it’s now 62% reported login issues!!!
I will look at these options as the same has happened to me. I cant see my old page now, presumably blocked in some way. I have had friends inform Facebook that it has been hacked and I have explained in detail the issues. They then sent me a password code that wasnt recognised and wanted me to confirm a new one……via the hackers dummy email! The tech people at Facebook made a major logical error in this process! In some ways it puts my mind at rest knowing this is happening a lot! Fingers crossed I get it fixed
Author
It does seem that the hackers are keeping one step ahead of Facebook, and I suspect that’s Facebook’s desire to automate the recovery process (or the sheer scale of the problem) means that reaching an actual human is going to be tricky. However, I hope you’re able to recover your account ASAP, and if you are able to do so, please let me know and I will update these suggestions.
I have been locked out since August 12. I agree that FB made some major logical errors!! I hope if anyone manages to reach them they let us know how to do so! I also wish Facebook would be held accountable in some way and required to help people that have been hacked and victim of their rotten system. It’s laughable that most the Help instructions that we are forced to rely on make no sense if you are locked out of your account and/or they are repeatedly sending codes to the hacker’s phone.
Meta as claimed to be a company which deals with AI , sometimes acts very stupid. My facebook account got hacked and the hacker had set up a two factor authentication app. No matter what I do, I am asked for the two factor authentication code.
This is happening to me and I run multiple client accounts as well. Did you find a solution?
Author
All of the information I have about this problem is provided in the blog post.
My Facebook account was hacked 3 days ago, and I’ve gone through all of the steps you mentioned, and no luck yet. My son is graduating high school soon, and I need my pictures from Facebook! Any help is so appreciated!
Author
I’m afraid I have no other information than what is posted here. It took me four months to get my account back after submitting my ID photo every 7-10 days; other people have successfully retrieved their account much faster, but there is no rhyme or reason as to why.
Been dealing with it for weeks with no response ugh picture games on the quest
Hi Elaine,
Did you have any updated tips or info on how to get your account back the fastest based on this problem? Currently experiencing the same issue with them changing the Code generator app and me not being able to get the code. Trying to reach FB to get them to remove the 2FA req. but no luck yet.
Thanks
Author
I’m afraid I don’t have any additional information other than what is posted here. Any new details get added to the post immediately, but I haven’t heard of any different methods of account retrieval yet. One option that I was originally advised about back in December was kicking up a fuss with the media. I’ve been trying to get press attention ever since but haven’t had any luck.
Hey Elaine!
Same happened to me about 3 weeks ago! Even though I was able to send my ID and for Facebook to recognized it (also I was able to change the email as the hacker has changed to one of his own) FB did contact me via email, send me a code but this code never worked :(. I regained my password but as the 2F Authenticator was enable by the hacker, I guess they are still getting this second code that I need to log in into my account. I wonder if FB would ever respond my email (as they where the ones initiating the communication) on this email it said: If you have any questions please respond on this email..
I’m currently in the same situation. Unfortunately We are all receiving a computer generated response I think. I tried to reply to the one You have mentioned and it has flagged up as no reply in my box. No human is even looking at what You send!!
Please be aware everyone. There is no guarantee that the Occulus purchase will work. Also I believe they have suspended sales of them currently for some reason anyway. I think it needs pressure being put on Facebook to set up instant chat to help people who can’t log in due to being hacked.
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this as well. I don’t think a human from FB will actually respond to an email; in my experience at least, it was always an automated message, and any messages to them went unanswered. In speaking with a few technically inclined friends back when I was first hacked in December, they both said Facebook is setup to make it very difficult to actually reach a real person.
Hi,
The same thing happened to me 🙁 not able to confirm ID. Please help me Elaine and share your experience in email!
Thx a lot
Author
I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this too, but all of the information I have is already provided in the blog post update. No new methods of regaining access to a Facebook account have been sent to me recently.
Natasha I’m afraid I’m in the same position as You. Facebook has just rejected My ID for over a month and a half..I’m not getting any response on any of the forms I have submitted over this time.Sadly I think You, I and many others have lost our accounts permanently now.
I have been off facebook since the summer of 2022 and it drove me mad
I am going through the same thing! I have been locked out of my account for a little over a month now with no luck. I have tried submitting my ID and multiple forms without any luck…I have decades worth of pictures on there and don’t want to give up possibly losing my account. If you find any other solution please let me know! Thank you for this post!!
Author
I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this too. My main recommendation at the moment is to keep trying to submit your ID; it took me four months but I did manage to get my account back. You can also try using different forms of ID, which worked for one person. Good luck!
This happened to me too and don’t know what to do! The only thing that is making me feel better is seeing this has happened. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve submitted my id. I can’t get past the code to enter
I’m in UK and the buggers have changed my phone number so my 2FA codes are not received by me ? I am locked out of my account because of this, and account made invisible as security protocol activated. I’ve done the trusted friends codes etc, just this code I need ? I’ve changed email and password back.
Exactly Same here Emma. I’ve been locked out for just over a month now. I’m no nearer to being able to login now as I was a month ago. For all We know the hackers are getting Your ID photos.
… Also what makes it so frustrating is they keep emailing Me and telling what I’ve missed on Facebook since I last logged in!!! I currently have 120 unseen notifications. Errrr Yeah I know It’s because Facebook have given Me no help whatsoever in getting to help Me login!!
Yes, those emails about all the missed notifications sure do add insult to injury! I’m in the same boat.
Same here I’ve been getting these notices for over 3months now. No-matter how many times I send in ID, making sure it us just once every seven days! Facebook apparently still appear to be unaware that thousands of their users are experiencing being hacked and the 2FA conundrum!!!
It appears Facebook are snowed under with requests for help which is resulting for almost a no response from them at all.
Wouldn’t you think that with all these requests for help all on the same theme, that they would simply send a code to bypass the 2FA especially when we are sending highly confidential information, which I am not happy about. But no they continue to refuse any for of ID. So we are left dumbfounded and frustrated at how we can prove to them we are the actual person who is trying to regain access to their Facebook Account!
Which is why a petition has been set up against Facebook highlighting these very issues, especially that we are being asked for highly confidential ID which could be used for anything, and we would be totally unaware!!
This same thing happened to me in March. After all this time I still haven’t been able to get it resolved. I even sent a letter! Snail Mail! I miss the photos from 10 years ago or else I wouldn’t care. I tried everything and then some. I gave up. I refuse to make a new acct after having the same one for all those years!
Trying to reply to ameron Martin. Where is the petition? Please send instructions so we can add our names. Thousands having the same problem due to flaws in their systems and Facebook ignoring us is kind of egregious. Thank you!
Hi Risa, it under Change.org I found it here and replied to the link that was added here. I now cannot find the link, but will have another look, as it was recent, but do visit Change.org and search Facebook. I initially did this but it came up with an old petition not related to our issues. Then I came back here and asked her for the link and that worked. So as mentioned I’ll scroll through and get back.
Me too Emma. I did manage to submit my ID and that meant they added back in my email address that the hackers changed. That then meant that I was able to change the password (to a REALLY complicated one) so the hackers no longer have access to my account. BUT… I still can’t login because they put 2FA on it and there is no way around it. When I click on “Need another way to authenticate” and then “Other Options” and then click on “Get More Help” literally nothing happens.
I’ve tried it on multiple devices and browsers but I’m now stuck and, as you know, no way to contact Facebook now to ask them to remove the 2FA.
I have been off facebook since June 2022 and I finally changed the email and password to the account In July but now this 2FA is turned on I need it to be turned off so I can enter my new phone number!
Did you end up regaining access? I am having the exact same issue. I am unable to even submit ID as my account is been flagged as a spammer. Very frustrating.
Author
I’m afraid I haven’t been able to regain access yet, Andrew, but I have just sent you some information. I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this problem too.
My account was hacked the same way, added their email on my fb page, 2fa also activated from them, please help, need some instructions how can i get this solved
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this too, but I’m afraid all of the advice I have is provided in the blog post. It basically seems to be a lottery as to whether people can get back in or not; it took me four months of sending in my ID before it was accepted. My main recommendation is to make sure your account is reported as hacked, then don’t spam Facebook’s system sending in your ID. Good luck!
The exact same thing happened to me on March 25th and I’ve been trying since to regain access to my Facebook but no response. I’ve sent them my ID and filled out the form at least 10 times and still no response. Have you had any success getting back access?
Author
I’m afraid I haven’t been able to gain access yet, but I have just emailed you with more information.
After a month of submitting my ID to Facebook over and over, they finally emailed me back and I finally regained access to my account.
Author
That’s great to hear! Thanks for letting me know!
Hi, which way did you submit your ID etc? As in, which form?
My account was hacked and 2-factor authentication was enabled so I cannot receive any codes to log into my account on any of my devices
They changed the email and phone number associated with my account, and enabled two factor authentication under their phone number.
I have been able to change the email back to mine, and have changed my password, but to fully access my account I need to enter a code from the Code Generator.
The only way to access this code is either from in the account already, or from a third party app- which they hooked up to their phone number.
There is literally no way for me to get this code to re-enter my account, and I have no idea what to do.
I have tried to contact Facebook many times through emails and submitting forms and I have had no response.
You’re the first person I’ve seen who has regained access! Please help xx
Shelley, hope you don’t mind me asking but how did you manage to change the email back ?
Hi Shelley whats happened to you is word for word whats happened to me since 5th of june , i have an oculas attached to my fb as its my daughters so im going down that route and contacted ico.org to report fb for data protection breech as after submitting my passport i still cant access the account due to needing a login code but then it says i can reset my password and shows me my new email address and underneth the hackers totally breaching my security its disgusting ,i also have written to fb ireland and was told by ico .org that they have 8 weeks to reply ,i will try everything to get my account bk its 13 years old and has all my late fathers pictures on i dont have now,i feel paranoid everyday and scared as i already have severe anxiety i just feel targeted ,i reported the hacking to action for fraud too which everyone should do as thats what there for ,ive sent my passport repeatedly since and now its not recognised and sends me an instant message to my email bk saying they cant accept it ,honestly feel im going around in circles
Shelly, I have the same question… How were you able to change your email back> I have the same issue as you except they attached their email, but my phone number still remains. As soon as I get to the code generator I am not able to do anything. I am assuming they attached another phone number as well. I am at a total loss and facebook is no help at all.
Hi Elaine, I’m so glad I ran across your blog because I’ve been locked out of my Facebook for a week now and every single thing you listed was exactly what has happened including the hacker adding the two factor authentication. Before reading your article, I felt alone and losing hope and really did not want to start a new Facebook page because of all of the pictures and memories on my original one. This article and comments gives me a tiny bit of hope that I may get it back. If you could please send me any more info that would be greatly appreciated. I feel so disconnected from everyone!
Author
You’re definitely not alone in dealing with this problem! I’ve just sent you an email.
Hello,
I am going through this exact same thing and now it won’t even let me submit my ID anymore. I’m at a loss I just cannot believe this mess.
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this. Provided that you have reported your account as hacked, you probably need to wait several days or a week before trying to log in again. Trying only once a day or every few days should stop the account from being flagged as spam.
I have also recently had this happen to me and because of trying so many times trying to fix the problem (I was kinda trying a little bit of everything no realizing you could over try) and now I too cannot submit my ID to attempt to get my account back. Are you saying that if I stop trying for a week or so, it will let me try again?
Author
Take a break from submitting and it should let you try again later, especially if you’ve gone through the reporting process to indicate that your account has been hacked: https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
I’m going thru the same problem. Since july 4th I got hacked and they turned two factor on. I can change my pw but then ask me for a login in code. Please please help!
Author
There should be a way to select that you cannot access the 2FA, which in turn should take you to a page that allows you to submit your ID. I’m afraid I have no additional advice beyond what is shared in the blog and what people have mentioned in the comments. I got my account back after four months of regularly submitting my ID; others have managed to do it faster either with their ID or by purchasing an Oculus device.
hey elaine im going through the same can you please send me an email also on how to get my facebook account back.
Author
I’m sorry to hear you are going through this, but I do not have any additional information beyond what is in the blog post. The update lists everything I have heard about how to get your account back; as far as I’m aware, there are no quick fixes — it took me four months of sending in my ID before I was able to unlock the account.
So sad to be here looking for answers like all of you I Have been Facebook hacked! Thank you for having all these links/info it gives me hopes!
there is definitely wide attack going on, I was caught on 4th April, and so far nothing from facebook other than they have now locked my account. Driving me insane as the 2FA “more help” page seems broken too.
Looks like you’re still stuck too.
Author
Yep, still off Facebook due to the two-factor authentication activation and there’s been no response to any of the ID photos/scans I’ve sent it. In speaking with tech people I know, they say that Facebook intentionally makes it hard to get in touch with a real person and that the only solutions they can think of are: 1) find someone who works at Facebook, or 2) kick up a media fuss. I’ve been trying to do both without much luck yet!
Hello!
Have you come across any solution to this yet? I’ve been dealing with it now for two weeks. I am starting to lose hope. It is beyond frustrating.
Author
I’m afraid I haven’t had any luck getting to the bottom of this despite dozens of ID photos/scans sent to Facebook. I have just emailed you with further details.
Hello,
Same issue here ? Have you gaint access to your account yet ?
Many thanks!
Author
I’m afraid I haven’t been able to access the account yet, but I have just emailed you with some more information.
My account was hacked today. I just order an oculus to see if that works. I will keep in touch with you guys.
Author
Thanks! I’m curious to hear if others have been able to get access to their accounts.
Did it work for you?
I have exactly the same problem! So very annoying! I have managed to change my password using the trusted contacts method but cannot get in to my account due to the two factor authentication. Even the trusted contacts method doesn’t seem to work properly as it always says I will get an email within 30 minutes telling me how to continue the process – and the email never arrives.
I would love some more info too! There must be many thousands of people having the same issue judging by the number of posts about this on the internet – perhaps a collective action would make some impact if it could get some attention?
Thank you for posting about this! ??
Author
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this too; I have just sent you a follow-up email with more info.
Same here!!
I was hacked yesterday. ? I’m also flooding Facebook with messages and forms. I’m half tempted to try the Oculus trick if it actually works!
Author
I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this at the moment; I have just sent you an email.
Well, I caved and bought an Oculus. I reached out to their support team so we’ll see what happens. I’m cautiously optimistic.
Author
Thanks for keeping me posted! Good luck!
I’ve also just ordered a Oculus -_-, this is ridiculous . Ill keep you updated as well!
Hi Liz,
I am facing the same issue. The hacker has the TFA code.
Please let me know if the Oculus trick worked for you or not.
Did it work?
OMG. It worked!!!!!!!! After picking up an Oculus, I reached out their support and told them the issue. The rep told me she would send a message to Facebook on my behalf and I would get an email from them. Within an hour I was back in my account. I’m so excited I could cry! Now to return the oculus.
I’m so tempted to do this!!!
I’m seriously shocked it worked.
OMG did the Oculus really work?
Can you tell us what exactly you told the Oculus people. My family already has 2 Oculus Go devices and just bought a Quest for my nephew in March. What do we have to do to regain access to Facebook because I have the same issue as all of you: randomly locked out. Rest password. But have 2 step authentication all of a sudden.
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this too. My understanding from the Facebook help forums is that the person who used an Oculus to get his account back registered a new device because they require a Facebook account to connect. I’m not sure how it works with existing accounts.
I submitted a help ticket for setting up a new device. I included this in my ticket.
I just purchased an Oculus Quest 2. The problem I’m having is that my Facebook account has been hacked and I cannot connect my Facebook account to my new device. I cannot get past the two-factor authentication the hacker set up. I have also reached out to Facebook directly and submitted my ID to prove my identity. I purchased the device from Target but can provide the serial number. Please help so I can get my new Quest up and running.
I received an automatic message asking for more information including a serial number of the Oculus. Then someone got in contact with me and said they would send a message to Facebook on my behalf.
Luckily the serial number is on the outside of the box so I didn’t have to open it. I didn’t register it or make an account.
Elaine , thank you for talking about this. It happened to me recently as well. Please provide me with any additional information you may have? I have lost track of the amount of forms I have submitted. Not including the ones that do not go through and give me an error.
Liz, can we exchange more information on how to contact oculus? After you get the product, where is the contact information? Also, which product did you get? They all seem pricey. Any more advice?
Author
I’ve just sent you an email with some information that may be useful, and I’ll try to update the blog post ASAP.
On the Oculus website there is a support section. I submitted a ticket explaining how I could not connect my Oculus to Facebook because my account was hacked. I purchased the Oculus Quest. Because I did not need to open it, I plan to return it.
I tried your suggestion and it worked for me, too! Thanks for posting this!
Author
Great, I’m glad things worked out!
I ordered a oculus and submitted a support ticket. Oculus said that they would send my ticket over to a FB rep. I received 1 email from that rep and I replied to them and now I’ve gotten NOTHING back! I am so frustrated.
Well all I can say is you were lucky!! I bought an Oculus in the hope that this would work, reached out to the Oculus Team, they said they would pass on the info. 3wks later nothing, I then gave up and returned the Oculus!!!
I have this problem as well! So frustrating and ridiculous that a platform this big has absolutely NO support. Have you heard of anyone having any luck with this besides ordering the Oculus?
Author
Unfortunately, the lack of support seems to be deliberate; I have just sent you an email with further information.
Add me to the list. Exact same problem
me too please x
And me too please!
I woke up this morning with the exact same issue. It is disheartening to see so many others with the same problem. I was able to upload my ID, re-add my email that the hacker took off, and add my phone number again. The hackers email is still listed under recovery options. (WHY?!?!) How can their recovery process include authenticating when you didn’t add the authenticator???
Like most others, I have 10 years of memories and pictures that I don’t want to lose.
I have the same issue. Two factor authentication set up by a hacker, so I cannot access my facebook account
Author
So sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this too; I’ve just sent you an email about it.
Can you please help and send me info as well the same thing happened to me!
Author
An email has been sent, but I’m afraid that I have nothing new to add: all of the current information is in the blog update.
Hold you please send me info – successful changed password nut no phone attached to my account to get 2FA codes
Author
I’m afraid I do not have any additional information beyond what is in the blog post. The update lists everything I have heard about how to get your account back; as far as I’m aware, there are no quick fixes — it took me four months of sending in my ID before I was able to unlock the account.
Can you send me the info too? I am getting so frustrated.
I’m having the same problem. Just purchased on Oculus to give that route a try. The hacker set up 2FA and I’ve sent my ID in a few times. One time I received the email from Facebook to reset it, but then it told me I “tried too many codes. Try again later.” I’ve been trying for a week.
Author
Please keep us posted as to whether the Oculus works for you. I’ve just sent you an email with more info.
The Oculus trick worked! It took a few days to get Facebook to send me a message, but Oculus support was phenomenal at helping the process along. I did need to reply to Facebook’s email with some more information, but 24 hours later they sent me instructions, and it worked!! Phew!!
Author
Congratulations, that’s great to hear! It certainly sounds much faster than my four months of filling out random forms!
Hi. Im.having the same issue. I was able to get my email back on my accountusing my ID. I reset my password and received an email confirming my password reset but it’s requiring the 2FA to log back in with the new password. The hackers removed my phone number so I have zero ways to get the code. Has anyone made any headway? My kids FB messengers are attached to my FB so now I can’t text with my kids when they’re not with me.
Author
At the moment it appears to be a lottery as to who gets back in; a few people have succeeded using the forms or other techniques, but it appears that most are still locked out. I have just sent you an email with more information.
I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. I just had a baby after a difficult c-section and then my baby was in the NICU. We were using Facebook to update our family and friends about our health. I’ve sent a photo of my ID to Facebook and was able to be allowed to reset my password, but I keep getting stuck at the six-digit code that the hacker set up. I can’t believe there isn’t any way of resetting or removing the code. I sent two messages to Facebook about how I was having trouble logging in due to security checks, but I haven’t heard anything back. I would make a new account if not for over a decade’s worth of contacts and memories attached to that account. My entire relationship with my husband is documented via our posts. We check the memories every day together and we’re always reminded of something we forgot. My account isn’t even showing up anymore so the posts I’ve made over the years aren’t even coming up for my husband. Our extended family can’t see pictures of the baby.
Author
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this. I’ve just sent you an email with more information.
My Facebook account was hacked. They changed my phone number and added a two step verification. Is there any way to get back into my account? Please advise. Thank you.
Author
An email has been sent to you with a bit more info, but I’m afraid it’s a bit of a lottery as to who is getting back into their account at the moment.
Can you please send me the email as well to get out of this issue?
Author
I have emailed you the update, but I’m afraid I haven’t heard of any guaranteed ways of recovering an account.
Same here. Can’t get past 2fa because hackers changed my email and phone number
Same issue! Please help!
Same issue. Someone changed my password and set-up 2FA. I cannot access my account. If you have additional information, that would be great.
I’m dealing with the same issue. I was able to reset my password, but can’t get past the 2FA. Can you please send me the email with additional info as well?
Author
An email has been sent with more info. The main advice I can give at the moment is to select that you cannot access the 2FA; that will bring up either a standard form that you can attach an ID photo to or an automated ID reader. I was just able to get back into my account after 4 months once the ID reader popped up, but I’m afraid there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when it shows up.
Hi Elaine can you please email me? I am locked out of my account due to being hacked and would love some tips.
Has anyone had a breakthrough? *cry*
Author
I just got my account back over the weekend after four months of sending in ID photos. I wish I could say there was a secret, but I just went through the usual process I’ve been following every 7-10 days: I attempted to log in and selected unable to authorise when it brought up the 2FA option. Instead of the usual “submit your ID” form, there was an automated ID checker. I’d dealt with it months ago, but it never properly read my ID. This time it actually worked and I had a link from Facebook emailed to my correct address within 30 minutes. From there, I was able to log in and change the security settings. I suspect that this automated ID reader is still being tested, which is why it comes up only occasionally. It would also explain why only a few people have been able to get back in so far. All I can recommend is to keep trying; I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Good to hear you got your account back – unfortunately I have submitted exactly the form you are talking about several times and have had no response at all 🙁
Author
I’m so sorry to hear that. If you’re getting the message “We can’t give you access to this account or help with your request until we receive an accepted form of ID that matches the information listed on the account.” from the automated ID reader (which I constantly did back in December/January), my only suggestion is to make sure you have plenty of light on the ID so it’s as clear as possible. Otherwise, you may want to try this form (I’ve heard from one person who’s had success with it): https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339
Can you send me how you did this? My husband got hacked an uninstalled then reinstalled but no luck
Author
I just got my account back a few days ago after four months of sending in ID photos. I wish I could say there was a secret, but I just went through the usual process I’ve been following every 7-10 days: I attempted to log in and selected unable to authorise when it brought up the 2FA option. Instead of the usual “submit your ID” form, there was an automated ID checker. I’d dealt with it months ago, but it never properly read my ID. This time it actually worked and I had a link from Facebook emailed to my correct address within 30 minutes. From there, I was able to log in and change the security settings. I suspect that this automated ID reader is still being tested, which is why it comes up only occasionally. It would also explain why only a few people have been able to get back in so far. All I can recommend is to keep trying; I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
When I was first hacked, I was able to reset my password but I cannot sign in due to 2FA. When I submitted my ID I received an email with a code two days later saying they had verified it was me but that I would need 2FA to log in because it had been setup on my account. I have now tried again to submit my ID and tell them that I didn’t set up 2FA, the hacker did, so I cannot get the code but with no luck so far. Any tips would be much appreciated.
Were you able to get back into your account? I am in the same predicament. I received a code that allowed me to change my password and my email was auto changed by Facebook, based on my identity confirmation, but I cannot get past the 2FA.
Oh my goodness, my Account was hacked last week and I am feeling so helpless! It seams silly to be so upset about Facebook but I have had my account for almost 15 years and this is how I stay connected to family that I haven’t been seeing through the pandemic. Everything you said is what is happening to me, I am slightly more hopeful seeing you have regained access to your account. But still feeling so defeated seeing as every time I feel out the form for help with my ID it tells me it can’t be sent. I feel as if I have been wasting my time all week filling out forms that aren’t even being sent to anyone. I even attempted the Oculus approach and that got me no where. If you have anymore information would you mind sharing. Thanks for al the info you shared already,
Author
I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this too; I’ve just emailed you.
I’m in the same boat! Part of me is like oh well it’s just facebook, but I do keep in contact with so many people and to try to start a new one sounds awful! I have been trying to do this every morning. Should I wait 7-10 days? Thank you for you help!
Author
I’m afraid there’s no rhyme or reason (at least none that I can figure out!) as to why some people are unable to unlock their account relatively quickly and some cannot. I just went through the recovery process every 7-10 days because I didn’t particularly feel like putting in a lot of time and effort after the first month. However, some people go through the recovery process daily; it’s completely up to you. I just recommend not doing too many times on the same day as it seems that can potentially get the account flagged for spam. Good luck!
Do you think it would hurt to do the forms every couple of days instead of each week?
Author
I’m not sure if there’s an ideal timescale. I just did it weekly because I couldn’t be bothered doing it more regularly (after the first month, my expectations were quite low). I think the main thing is not to spam Facebook with multiple messages a day, so you could try filling out a form every day or every other day.
Author
If you are dealing with a hacked Facebook account and 2FA authentication issues, please see the April update posted at the end of the blog post. I’m afraid I do not have any additional information beyond what I’ve posted there.
Hi,
I am trying to recover my partner’s account, we luckily have got to the part where it verifies her ID, but of course, even after changing the password, we can get no further due to 2FA being set up on the account.
One thing I am trying (and waiting for the results for now) is this page:
https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/179049432194862?id=179049432194862
It seems like it is tailor made for people in this situation. I’ll let you know how it goes, but if you have extra information about all this, that would be great, thank you!
If only there was a way for Facebok to add an option on requesting a QR Authenication setup code to the user’s primary email address. That way, when the QR code in the email on a desktop computer is scanned to an Authentication app, you get the 6 digit code and you log into Facebook and this problem would be solved and there would be fewer complaints to this service.
I was hacked last week as well, same 2FA issue. I even purchased the oculus but their support team is useless. I’m sad to say all my memories of 10+ years seem to be gone.
Just an update. I finally got my facebook. Dont spam the fb. File the form once a week and wait another week if there’s no progress. I noticed if you keep applying the form there will be no pop message from fb that they received the form. What I did is stopped applying the form for a week then when I apply again it shows the pop up message. After 2 days fb reply. I did try the oculus but they will help until in a certain point they no longer can because they don’t have control on FB. Basically oculus will also going to email the fb. File up the form log in issue, you no longer have access to the email and phone, and identification. Thats the only thing you need. Dont spam and wait. My fb got hacked because of the live stream I did in my phone. . Basically, while i am doing live stream the hackers send a message requesting to access my fb. The message pop up while i am live stream.. And boom they got the code. Simple tactics but effective.
Author
I’m glad to hear that you got your account back, and thanks for sharing how you got back in.
Hi, I’m just wondering what form you are filling out. Is it the “need help” after it says you need a code? Or a different one? Every time I feel out the need help form it tells me it could not be sent weather I do it multiple times a day, or wait a week in between trying. I’m feeling like no mater what I’m doing to try to get it back nothing will be resolved as it always tells me my form can’t be submitted!
You cant access your fb because you dont have the code? You have to click you no longer have access to tel number. You have to fill up the form about you tel. provider and you have to submit an ID. Dont spam.. Just wait.
I was following the hackers trail. What they do is they hijack the fb account and make it their own. They dont care about the information. They basically use it to post some random stuff. All of the people commented from the hackers post are all hacked fb account. Check this fb account. They changed primary pic and name. But if you look at the url and photos.. Its from the other guy. They have their own trade mark pic. I guess thats how they know who hacked the fb account. I asked my friend to translate what they are saying. Most of it i just rubbish letters, like these “eiryieodjd”. Weird huh. https://www.facebook.com/chase.colvin1
Author
I can’t remember the exact wording, but I think there’s a link saying something like “Can’t authenticate?” on the initial page requesting 2FA when you try to log in. This brought up either a basic form (name, mobile carrier, attach ID photo) or an automated ID reader when I accessed it on my laptop. I tried a few times on my mobile phone, but I could never send anything through it, so if you haven’t tried from a laptop or desktop, you may want to give that a go. As Mike wrote, you might also be given the option somewhere that says “Cannot access telephone”.
Hello!
I wanted to update as well. I cleared out my settings in my computer after waiting a couple days and then clicked forgot password. It walked me through the steps and when I got to code generator. I clicked I don’t have access to this. It asked for my ID. This time I didn’t get an immediate response from FB about my ID. About 24 hours later I got an email with the info I needed to get back in. Like the other commenter, be patient and it will happen!
Hello!
I wanted to update as well. I cleared out my settings in my computer after waiting a couple days and then clicked forgot password. It walked me through the steps and when I got to code generator. I clicked I don’t have access to this. It asked for my ID. This time I didn’t get an immediate response from FB about my ID. About 24 hours later I got an email with the info I needed to get back in. Like the other commenter, be patient and it will happen!
Author
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear that you were able to get your account back!
https://www.facebook.com/chase.colvin1
So, I was following the hackers trail. So basically, what they do is they hijack a FB account and make it their own. They changed the name and primary pic and use it to post random stuff. Check that url.. Thats not their own account. Check the photos and url. And also those people who liked and commented in the hackers post are all hacked fb. They also have trade mark pic so they know who hacked the fb account. Weird…
Author
PLEASE NOTE: There is no need to request an email — all of the information I currently have is in the blog update, and I will keep it updated if I hear of any further ways to recover accounts.
Is anyone having trouble actually submitting the forms. The one accessed via “Need another way to authenticate” just spins saying submitting ID and never finishes (tried multiple browsers and laptops). On my phone I get an error saying failed to submit try again?
all very frustrating!
Author
I had problems submitting the form on my phone, but it worked most of the time on my computer. All I can recommend is to give it a few days without doing anything and keep trying. Good luck!
To add my final word on the issue – I am now back in my account after just over a month. What a shoddy operation Facebook is – I will be deleting most of the content of my account now I know how easily it can apparently fall into the wrong hands with no good course of recovery offered by Facebook.
The solution, as it worked for me: Oculus!
I filled in every help form I could find on Facebook and also the ID verification forms that pop up when you try and log in – for me, none of this had any effect. Most of the time I would just get error messages – the rest seemed to go nowhere.
So I bought an Oculus on Amazon (later returned for a refund) and submitted a ticket request to them with the Oculus serial number. Whether you even need a serial number or not I do not know – you could just submit the support ticket without it and see what happens, too.
The difference is, that Oculus support is responsive and can contact Facebook support for you and when they do, something actually happens. I got emails from Facebook to the recovery email I gave to Oculus support just hours after Oculus said they had passed the matter on.
It was not straightforward after this, though – for a while the two factor authentication remained stuck on, Facebook stopped responding to messages, then a week later sent another recovery code and still I do not know whether they changed something or if it was from logging in from my laptop browser that finally made it work. Be aware that the log in procedure seems to be 3 different processes, depending on whether you try from the app, a mobile browser, or a computer browser – so try them all!
What Oculus did you order?
Author
I’m so glad to hear that you were able to get your account back! Thanks for sharing this for others.
Was the email address from facebook long and looked suspicious. I got an email from this info++aazrrfqn6ri4k3@support.facebook.com. just seems like a scam email but they emailed me to an alternative email address that I gave to oculus customer service.
Hello i have got the same problem can you please send me email with more info how you fix this two factor disaster? Thank you
Author
I’m afraid there is no easy or quick fix; all of the information that I have is in the April update of the blog post. Good luck!
My Facebook account was hacked. They changed my phone number and added a two step verification. Is there any way to get back into my account? Please advise. Thank you.
Author
I’m afraid I have no advice other than what is listed in the blog post and its update. If you haven’t already, please go through the recovery process to indicate that your account has been hacked, or have a friend report your account as hacked: they need to go to your page, click the […] button, and then go through the “report profile” option. Then when the 2FA option comes up when you try to sign in, you need to select that you do not have access to it, and start the process of submitting an image of your ID. Some people have managed to get back into their account in a week; it took me four months before it worked. Otherwise, purchasing an Oculus device seems to work most often. Good luck!
So pleased to come across your site as feeling really alone and frustrated. I am locked out of my facebook site and whilst they accepted my ID and I got the recovery email you got, I couldn’t complete the process because it it kept saying my account was locked – ended up sending my id again hoping that I will get another email.
Any help would be much appreciated
Author
If you can get back into your account at all via a recovery email from Facebook, and you’re able to change your passwords and security settings to point to you, you may have to use a different email address. I ran into the problem that it wouldn’t let use my primary account (the one originally registered with Facebook), so I added one of my secondary addresses to the account.
Trying the Oculus method. Fingers crossed. Thank you for this website.
Author
Good luck! I hope it works for you!
Could you let me know if the oculus method works for you?
Hello. I’m going through this same very thing unfortunately and I want my Facebook back. I’ve had it so many years and do not want to start over.
Can someone help me out by telling me what oculus you have to purchase?
Also the steps after purchasing.
I’ve also just ordered a Oculus -_-, this is ridiculous . Ill keep you updated as well!
So I purchased the oculus however I ended up not needing to and will return it. I was locked out of my account on May 23 and I was able to get back into my account today which is May 26. I just kept uploading my ID and I uploaded my Visa card once. I’m not sure which one made it work but thankfully I’m back in.
Same thing has happened me ? seems like my old Yahoo account was involved in a data breach so hackers were able to change everything and deactivate my facebook. This happened yesterday so have been trying everywhere but seem to be going round in circles to no avail. Keeping positive thoughts that I can get it resolved but facebook customer service is juat awful. Have started bombarding them on twitter and even instagram for help.
Author
I’m sorry to hear this has happened to you too. I’m afraid there’s no quick solution, and please be careful about what you post on Twitter/Instagram as a lot of people will probably respond that they can get you back in for a fee. I have no idea how valid this is or whether it’s a scam. It took me four months to get my account back after regularly submitting the recovery form, others have had success with buying (then returning) an Oculus, and other suggestions are listed in the blog post.
Hi Elaine. Same thing happened to me. But after I uploaded my ID, I did receive a response from Facebook but even after I went through all their account recovery steps it asks for the 2FA code which I do not receive. Which form were you filling ever 7-10 days? Please help me.
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this too. There should be a link somewhere on the 2FA page that says something like “unable to access code”, but I’m afraid I can’t point you to the form I used as it automatically came up when I tried to sign in. Now that the account is unlocked, I can’t access the page. You can try this one if you haven’t already: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339
Alternatively, if you haven’t already tried this, you may want to have a friend report your account as hacked and see if that generates a new way of getting back in for you.
Same thing happened to me. 11 hours ago my account was hacked while I was asleep and now it’s completely disabled. Everything is gone. I have a business page and now no access to that as well although unlike my personal profile, the business page is still up and visible. Surprisingly, I was able to change my password but hackers enabled 2FA and I have no access. On the 2FA screen I clicked on “need another way to authenticate” and from there was able to submit my ID via laptop camera but after doing so, I never received a confirmation email from FB so I have no idea if they received it. No way to follow up or even know if or when it will be resolved.
Author
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this too. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any quick fix, but continuing to submit your ID may help, and one person has luck with using an unusual form of ID (marriage license instead of driver’s license or passport). Just be cautious about spamming the system. Good luck!
Same exactly as me no idea where my passport has been sent worried sick everyday on day 20 now
Author
It took me four months to get back into my account, and unfortunately timescales seems to vary: some people can get back within a week or two, others take longer. You may want to try using different forms of ID and see if that helps at all; one person had luck using her marriage license instead of driver’s license or password.
So not only have i been completely hacked on my fb it looks like i have now sent my passport to them also as i had sent repeated emails to fb i thought they had actually replied to me so i corresponded and sent my passport as they advised ,no reply day 5 ,upon looking more closely at the email i received ive now seen the addess it has come from looks dodgy ,i just dont know what to do now my anxiety is through the roof ,Facebook is the email address i received the message from ,anyone any ideas of what i should do now thanks Dee
Facebook info++aazqzxwjezsmtt@support.facebook.com>
It wont let me put the email address in it hasnt put it in my message its Facebook aazqzxwjezsmtt@support.facebook.com> any ideas
Author
All of the information I have about this topic is published in the blog post. I wouldn’t respond to any emails from Facebook or things that look like they’re from FB; a proper recovery email will send a link for you to use to reset your account. Make sure you have reported your account has hacked and followed the guidance provided here: https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
My advice is to upload your ID once a week. Dont try to spam it.
It wont let me put the email address in, it hasnt put it in my message its basically aload of letters like 10 off them ending in support.facebook.com and ends in >
Dee this is the email address i.had gotten from.facebook and I responded to them. Seems to have worked. I was skeptical cause the address didn’t look legit but they emailed me at an alternate email address I provided to oculus customer support. info++aazrrfqn6ri4k3@support.facebook.com
Hi rocky when i rang action for fraud they told me this was a definite hackers email adreess with all the letters before it ,i havent heard anything from anywhere i have an oculas to begin with ,with games attached to my fb 37 messages to them and still not bk on ,can you please double check the email you received from that address was it addressd to you by name ,mine wasnt ,and it ended in just thanks with no department which again action for fraud said is a tell tale sign also the fb logo was pink ,ive been really upset over this as i feel hackers now have my passport number on top of everything else
Dee my email was started with Hi and ended with thanks. The Facebook logo “F” was in green not pink. This was a bs email I use and never received an email from facebook until after i contacted oculus and gave them this as an alternate email. I was skeptical but no reason for a hacker to email me there as nothing with this alternate email was ever affiliated with facebook.
Hey to update. I did the oculus method and it seemed to work. I got an email from facebook to the alternate email address I gave oculus customer service. The address looked similar to what Dee got above. I was hesitant for several days to reply cause they wanted my ID. I finally did reply without ID first and several days later replied with ID. Never got a reply back but about a week or 2 later I get a notification that my email was changed on Facebook. I thought the hacker did something again. But it was actually facebook putting the alternate email on my account and disabled the 2 factor authentication. Then I was able to change password again and get full access back. Originally I was able to to finally get them to accept ID and they added my email and changed password. I couldn’t go further because of the 2fa. Do the oculus method. Seems like the quickest way which is still about 2 to 3 weeks.
I have the same situation. I was hacked around May 23rd, and I was eventually able to submit my ID to restore my password and change my email. There is still the 2fa though. I bought my Oculus on June 23rd and started the process with their support team. I submitted my information to that strange Facebook address on June 24th. Your post gives me hope. I did receive another email saying that they apologize that they had not had time to review my case yet and that it would be handled in the order that it was received. This was on June 26th.
Here’s hoping it’s 2-3 weeks for me too! Trying to be patient!
Author
Good luck, I hope this works for you!
Hi Andrea was the email with a pink fb logo and was it addressed to you as mine wasnt and it ended with thanks and no department ,ive been worried sick over this thinking hackers now have my passport also it gives me Hope that maybe it was genuine, dee
The email just started with “Hi” and ended with “Thanks”. No addressing of me personally. There wasn’t really a logo. I used a gmail, so the “F” in the circle was green for me, but I think that is just based on my own settings.
I still have not heard back.
Sounds just like my email ,i still havent heard a thing and oculas no longer replying to my messages ,we had our oculas since dec its my daughters its so unfair ,i have now issued a complaint to ico.org as you are entitled to do that after 28 days they then deal with fb as to why they havent rectified the issue and the account is still compromised with two factor
Hi Rocky, I received the email on 6/20 from FB requesting my ID. I sent in documentation and have not heard back yet over two weeks still waiting. Question. when they sent the notification that your email was changed did they send that email to the alternate email address you gave oculus? I just want to make sure I don’t miss the email. I’m still getting a ton of FB notifications from friends post but can’t login past 2fa.
Omg guys im bk on fb ,took me 5 weeks persisting im so happy to get my 13 year account bk ,the email i got from fb after oculas said fb would contact me must of been genuine and they finally got me bk on and removed the two factor authentication ,the account was reset to my original email address and all the security was blank apart from that email ,i was hacked on june 5th ,really really happy
I got mine back today too!!.
Yay!
And I did the Oculus method.
So happy!!
Oh this is great news and i can sleep now knowing my passport at least didnt go to hackers in the end ,we did it took time but we got there yay
Hi Dee did you return your Oculus?
Kind regards
Catherine
Happy for you guys but not everyone can afford to spend over £200 to get an Occulus!!
Author
I believe some people are ordering them and returning them. Unfortunately I haven’t heard of any new ways of recovering the account relatively quickly.
So if I was to order one, what are the steps that people are going through in order to get their account back? I am at my wits end as my ID constantly refused by Facebook and waiting another week before submitting again only to be refused. So if I took a chance at ordering an Oculus, I would like to know the exact steps to regain my account before returning it, as am guessing you only have a certain amount of time you can keep the Oculus in order to be able to return it.
Hi Catherine not sure if you have read my previous message .i already had an oculas on my fb since dec as my daughter got it for xmas i had games attached to my fb .still oculas took over a month to get me bk on my fb .i aent 45 messages to oculas if u find my previous post i have addressed it to you and gives more info dee
HI Dee, i ordered an Oculus as well and sent several support tickets in. Heard back from FB on 6/20 asking for my ID which I submitted but i’m still waiting and haven’t heard back from FB. Did you submit multiple tickets through oculus? issues is because the hacker changed my birthdate my account shows it will disable permanently in 4 days. i did receive a email from FB two days ago saying my email has been changed and a code to reset password. I did that and instead of getting to the 2fa screen, it takes me to a screen where i have to upload my ID. but i cannot bypass that as it won’t take my ID and says FB is limiting numbers of times you can send in information. Not sure what else to do?
Hi felicia have u had any help since .i would ring ico.org and explain the situation as fb have a duty of care to make your fb secure the more ppl report them the better they will up there security ,i have got bk in to my account after over a month ,i submitted multiple tickets and bombarded oculas with messages,if hackers switched your dob then fb shud see this and accept your passport it is wrong its not your fault ,mine has all been reset to the day it was hacked
BTW it’s because of this blog, I was able to get back in. I used the oculus method. Thanks Elaine.
Author
You’re welcome! I’m glad this was helpful, I just wish there was an easier way for people to get back in.
What steps did you use Rocky? How long did it take for Facebook to respond to you and let you regain access to your account. How long are you able to keep the Oculus before returning it?
Great that your back in, all your memories back again!
Hi Catherine,
I used the Oculus method as well to disable the 2fa.
June 22 is when I contacted Oculus support through their website, saying that I couldn’t use my Oculus because I couldn’t get onto Facebook. I also attached a picture of the serial number from the Oculus box.
Oculus wrote back and said that a team member would be in touch within 24 hours.
June 22 later – I received an email asking for more information.
June 23 – I sent all the information requested, including an email address that was not associated with Facebook. Then I got another email saying that a Facebook account support team member would reach out in another email.
June 23 later – I received the email from Facebook at the other email (not associated with FB). It asked for more information and also ID verification. So, I told the whole story again and attached a pic of my ID for verification.
June 26 – I received an email at my original email address saying that they have a large volume of tickets and that mine would be handled in the order it was received.
July 8 – I received notification that my password was changed. I also received an email at the new address with an account recovery code. I was able to change my password directly through that email, and the 2fa was gone.
So, it was 2.5 weeks in total for me. Hope this helps!
Also, I purchased my Oculus at our local Target, which has a 30 day return policy. But I am going to keep mine.
Good luck!
Hi Andrea did you send your Oculus back after you regained access to your account?
Kind regards
Catherine
Hi Andrea that’s good to know Oculus worked for you. I’ve sent in several suport tickets through oculus – heard from FB 6/10 to provide my ID and other verification. Havent’ heard back since. I’m coming up on when I need to return the oculus. I did get an email few days ago said my email had been changed on FB- tried to login with the code but couldn’t get past the security check where it asks for my ID. It stated FB limits the amount of times you can submit so I guess they have me set as spam. Not sure what else to do at this point so frustrating! I’ve been waiting since 6.20 from FB to respond. I’m afraid since i tried to send my ID in so many times its flagged me.
Hi Andrea am curious to know why you used an email that was different to what would be on your FB account? Is that so the hackers don’t know what your up to, surely they would not be able to get any of your emails if you have changed your password? So use a different email to any of those you used for your FB accounts, as that was the first thing I did change all my passwords on my email accounts.
When I first wrote to Oculus, I used the email that was on my Facebook account. But later, they asked me to provide another email that wasn’t associated with Facebook. This is where Facebook eventually messaged me. And now this is the new email that I use to login to Fb.
Thanks for clearing that for me 🙂 I’m a little worried about ordering an Oculus as mentioned there are different models, which one did you purchase, at least we know FB responds to this one, some people have had no luck with Oculus. Also am a bit worried that I could have it for up to 3wks before FB responds, what reason would I give for returning it after having it for so long? Maybe that I can’t get it to connect to my FB account, which is true!
Kind regards
Catherine
Hello, this is my version
the hacker changed my e-mail to this: chadoligschlaegergr@hotmail.com (i don’t know how i was able to read the full address without asterisks and added 2FA
sent mail to security@facebookmail.com, disabled@fb.com and disabled@support.facebook.com with ID and they did respond me with the temporary password, but when i logged in the account, it was blocked then i logged out and now i can’t access neither with the temporary password neither my last password
sended to the prevoiusly mentioned e-mail again my ID, my license guide and SSN also with different mail, but they do not respond
tried submitting several forms
https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339
https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/260749603972907
but I can’t send the ID becuase it says login to you account to receive further instruction, either if I put my facebook mail or the one of the hacker
I don’t know what to do, I send sometime my ID to this
https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/179049432194862?id=179049432194862
maybe they do not respond me because they already sent a reset password mail
also i created two new facebook account to be able to post in the facebook forum to ask for help, but they got disabled because i think you can’t make more accounts with the same name and information
I’m from Italy
thanks
Hi if you are trying to login with the hackers email then id presume fb think that you have access to that email address and cud send correspondence there ,i had no contact from any of those emails you mention ive even written to fb ireland ,as your account is still showing the hackers email after you have sent your passport to fb then that is a breech of your data protection ,please raise this with ico.org.uk they will take your complaint on and contact fb for you just fill in your complaint and issue on there site they are above fb ,im over a month locked out of my account and still no luck i have an oculas too since dec and still cant get help from either company
What steps did you use Rocky? How long did it take for Facebook to respond to you and let you regain access to your account. How long are you able to keep the Oculus before returning it?
Some people are saying even with an Oculus they have had no success in gaining back access to their FB account.
Great that your back in, and have all your memories back again!
I have an oculas since dec its my daughters and is attached to my fb ,my account was hacked on 5th of june after 44 emails to oculas believe me they weren’t much help ,i finally got an email from fb on 23rd of june to my original email address not the new one i sent my passport id through ,it had a code to login i had dont this before and was blocked by two factor on this occasion thats all that was needed , i was able to add my phone number and secure my account ,like i said even with an oculas and games that are on my fb for it it still took me a month to get in
Having this exact same problem. Debating the Oculus route. Would love any further info you have.
Author
All of the information I have is posted in the blog. Others have had varying levels of success with the Oculus or other methods. Unfortunately I haven’t heard of any guaranteed ways to regaining the account. One option is to try to get press interest, but I tried that for a few months without any luck myself.
That’s my worry, going through all the process of purchasing an Oculus and returning before the 30days run out, and as you say FB may take longer to get back..so a pointless exercise..
Kind regards
Catherine
Hi catherine ,i wrote to fb ireland head office i also have issued a data protection complaint against fb for not securing my account if two factor is set up they have failed to secure it which is there duty of care to there users i contacted ico.org who told me on the phone they have breeched my data protection ,i complained as nobody was replying to my messages to oculas or fb ,it caused me so much stress knowing hackers had more chance of getting in my account than i did as fb left there email on there which i could see when i tried to login ,im glad it has now been resolved but i pushed and pushed everyday for help
I’m in the same situation as everyone else. I was able to change my password but the 2FA stops me from moving forward. Will keep trying.
When I try to upload my ID and enter my e-mail, it tells me that there is no FB account with that e-mail….. anyone else have that issue? is there any other way to upload my ID associated with the hacked account??
Hi try find your account by your name and go thst route as mine was the same as yours the hackers changed my email address ,and everythilng else ,i went on find my account and my pic was there and then sent my id that route unfortunately i still couldbt get it after passport verification as fb left the two factor still on it ,i got bk in 2 days ago after a month of messages to oculas as we already had an oculas on there since dec 20 ,ill be honest i wrote to fb ireland even and had zero reply from fb emails or letter it was only through oculas after 45 messages between me and them i got anywhere ,its a disgrace such a large global company get away with this ,i reported them to data protection as there security is none existing ,i have found groups on fb promoting hacking and how todo it theres hundreds ,one group had 22,000 in it ,yet swear on there your banned its a joke
Just wanted to say thank you to this blog. Without this information, I wouldn’t have been able to get my FB account back after over a decade of work contacts, family photos etc. I truly appreciate everyone. My FB was hacked on 6/12/21 and it took to the day almost a solid month of sending multiple support tickets to Oculus as well as submitting ID in multiple ways through FB week after week.
FINALLY today I was sent an email that cleared my account to login.
To be honest the only communication I had from FB after sending in the first Oculus ticket was on a Sunday but after I submitted the info they asked for on 6/20, I never heard back from FB. So I kept submitting additional tickets. Low and behold I heard back from them again today on a Sunday. So you guys may want to try submitting tickets on the weekends. Seems to be the only time i’d hear back.
Author
I’m so glad to hear you got back in!
So, I read this blog and thank God I did! After running into a dead end with trying to contact Facebook, I gave in and bought an Oculus. I followed the steps as advised, submitted a customer support ticket to Oculus about my Facebook account being hacked, and after a few days and a few more emails…I GOT MY ACCOUNT BACK!!! Thank you so much for the suggestion.
This does beg the question though…is this a scam by Facebook to sell the Oculus? Weird process to have to go through but still.
Author
I’m so glad to hear you got your account back! Getting an Oculus isn’t exactly a magic bullet, but it does seem to work for many people and is certainly faster than the 4 months of ID submission that I did.
I suspect that the issue with Facebook is purely financial/practical: a Facebook account is free and there are millions/billions of people registered on FB, so why provide customer service for it? You’ve paid for an Oculus and the number of Oculus owners is much smaller, so a level of customer service is expected. I just hope that the people working customer care at Oculus get fed up with 2FA complaints and encourage FB to do something about it.
I had the very same though, a bit desperate though on FB part, but does appear very odd, you purchase an Oculus because so many people have said this route appears to work the quickest, low and behold Facebook grants you access back into your account. Let’s face it if you haven’t got access to your FB account the Oculus is redundant and will be getting returned!
When I try to upload my photo ID, on that same form where it ask for my login e mail that is associated with the FB account, it keeps saying it is invalid. Has this happened to anyone?? I know I am putting in the correct e mail.
They have likely changed your email address associated with your fb so it no longer exists on there system ,this is what happened to me, i went to find my account ,then entered my name it showed a pic pf me and asked is this you i clicked then went to the upload id section ,hope this helps Dee
thanks
Hi, So I was hacked on June 30 and I am still trying. I am getting the email to do the password reset (which I do) – then it takes me to the “enter confirmation code” options and I put maybe 5 different email addresses and nothing comes in. Absolutely frustrating
I don’t know how to get back to the option of the ID.
I think it really sucks that Facebook does not have any type of customer service.
Author
Have you tried this link? One person was successful using it: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339
Thank you ELAINE for your blog. This is more useful than Facebook Help Center.
I am facing the same issue, I’ve been trying to log in to my account for one month now. During this time, I was successful two times to get the recovery email, but once I log in I can not turn the TFA off and it logged me out. So I had to run through all of this again.
Another issue is my birthday on the account is three days earlier than the one on my ID.
Any tips on how to get their AI reader to read the ID properly? Can I change the birthday if I do not have access to my account? What’s your advice?
Author
I’m afraid I don’t have any additional information to share beyond what I’ve written in the original blog post and the subsequent update. The ID reader didn’t work for me for months, then suddenly it did. There is really no rhyme or reason to it, and my only recommendation would be to be make sure that you’re using the reader in natural daylight or bright light so it can get a clear picture of the ID.
Your birthdate may potentially be an issue, unless you can use a recommended form of ID that doesn’t list it? Good luck!
Hi, My mom’s FB account got hacked yesterday (July 20). I’ve been looking for ways to recover her account since it happened. The hacker changed her email and phone number associated with the account so I don’t have any idea where I can get the recovery code or get access to her account. Facebook didn’t even email her that the ‘hacker’ changed the email. Also, I haven’t got into the step where I have to submit an ID for verification instead I always ends up with the message “We’re sorry you’re having trouble recovering your email address. Unfortunately, this means we can’t verify who you are or give you access to the Facebook account you’re trying to log into. We may hide the information on your Facebook account if we detect that you cannot regain access to it.” PLEASE HELP! ( ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this, but I’m afraid I do not have any information other than what I have posted on the blog. Please make sure that the account has been reported as hacked and consider going through the steps listed here if you haven’t already: https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
Hi mine was hacked this way too ,i also never got an email to say they changed my email address ,you need to go on locate my fb acount without email you find my name and go from there following the steps ,everything on mine was changed ,it took me 5 weeks to get bk in ,i already had an oculas since dec so i went through oculas support ,it still took me 5 weeks and about 60 emails ,try upload your id from the way i sed first ,it may work for you
HI Dee
My Oculus arrived yesterday, I am not tech savvy at all, I have downloaded the app on phone, but what do I do from here, I am not finding any start up instructions. I cannot get access to my FB account as it has been hacked and 2FA switched on. I want to give my best shot but need help. Do I plug the Oculus I to my Laptop, what do I do first.
UPDATE: I was actually losing hope in recovering my mom’s acc since I can’t find the page wherein you submit an ID to verify the owner of the account. But on the third day, July 23. I found the page and submitted an ID, I waited for the confirmation of the Facebook team so I can change the password. And on the fourth day, I still have to submit an ID to get the login code. AND NOW, July 25 I got my mom’s account back!! YAYYY!! Thank Ms. Elaine for your blog. And I hope y’all can also recover your account 🙂
Author
Thanks for sharing that you got back in; that’s great to hear!
Hi, thanks for all this info Elaine. Regarding the frequency with which you should submit your ID – were you told via a message that you had exceeded an amount and to wait 7-10 days? Or do you just know that, regardless of any warning / error messages?
Al
Author
I had no messages about regarding a specific time limit, but I did receive some type of warning the day I was hacked because I must have tried filling on the form dozens of times. I’ve heard from others who had something similar happen. I ended up submitting the form every 7-10 days because I found it a waste of time to do it more often since I wasn’t getting anywhere (I tried daily for the first few weeks but I didn’t have any luck). My only real recommendation regarding a time limit is not to spam the system, so once or twice a day may be fine.
Thanks. This Reddit thread suggests 5-7 times a day, but I can’t fathom how they would know that’s a good amount! https://www.reddit.com/r/facebook/comments/ogz626/this_is_a_lengthy_post_but_is_a_compilation_of/
Thanks again for all your advice above.
I waited 7 days since my last attempt. I can get to the Login Approvals Code Issues page and I submit all of the information: my full name on my account, my mobile carrier, the issue I am encountering and a description of the issue (the fact that I cannot get the 2FA code because I was not the one to set up 2F) but when I hit “send” I receive a message that says “We cannot process your request at this time, please try again later.” Has anyone else had this issue?
I am getting this every day – don’t know how many more days to leave it 🙁
Yes Jillian I have been getting this for the last month now. I have heard it’s possible they have disabled some things because they cannot cope with the number of people using it.
Exact same thing happened to me over a month ago. I’ve sent in my ID numerous times and Facebook responded twice confirming my identify, but still requiring me to use the two factor Authenticator to login which I did not set up. I’m curious where you were able to indicate that you had issues with this? When I submitted my ID there was not an area for me to indicate any issue. Thanks for any help!!
Author
I’m afraid I can’t remember the exact details, but there was a link when I tried to sign on that said “unable to access 2FA” or similar on the screen when it asked for the code. This was how I submitted my ID, and it was going through this many, many times that eventually got me a link that completely unlocked the account: I was able to reset the password and email as well as change the 2FA to my phone.
That is the same thing for me as well. Got back to me twice to reset password, but ignore my request to bypass the 2 step authentication the hacker put on. There should be something for that on the list of issues we have to check off. So many with the same problem.
Hi,
Today I received a recovery email and I followed the steps and recovered my account, but I couldn’t access the two-factor authentication page as it requested a code “Two-Factor Authentication Required” on a business manager page.
* I have access only from one device (my MacBook) and I can not log in using my phone as it requires TFA code.
The same happened before with me and I got logged out after some time. Does anyone know how to solve this issue?
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this, but I’m afraid the only recovery information I have is posted in the blog update.
Hi Elaine – thanks for the advice – really helped me.
Cheers!
Author
Great, glad to hear this was useful!
Ryan were you able to have something work for you? Have been trying methods, but still can get past the code generator code request screen.
@AC – you need to keep sending them your ID via the facebook account reset – after 6 attempts my ID was accepted and I could reset my account.
And what if they continue to reject it ?Passport, driving License all rejected numerous times over 3 weeks now?
Author
It took me four months of sending in my ID for the account to be unlocked. Unfortunately I have not heard any other suggestions for accessing a locked account beyond what is listed in the blog update.
Ryan, do you know the form and method, and type of ID you used to get this to work?
This exact thing happened to me this afternoon. I submitted my ID tonight. Like everyone else here, it makes me so uncomfortable that someone else has access to over a decade of memories. It makes me fret what else they now have access to, too. Currently, my two email addresses are still attached, but so is the hacker’s, so they know every time I try to sort this, which keeps them a step ahead. My phone number is still attached, thankfully, but it isn’t helping since two-step has been set up by hacker.
Has anyone else had someone look up their profile? Mine has completely disappeared
Author
Have you reported your account as hacked? This should help kick the hackers out; please see the information on the following website if you haven’t already:
https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
Hi Again,
So after 30 days of trying to get back into my account (I was never reciveveing the 6 digit confirmation code email).
I got a “Your Account Has Been Disabled
It looks like you’re not old enough to be on Facebook. As a result, your account has been disabled as it doesn’t follow our Terms of Service. We can’t review this decision because too much time has passed since your account was disabled. To learn more about the reasons we disable accounts visit our Terms of Service.”
So now what?
This is so frustrating — yes I can go make a new one — but it has 17 years of memories etc….
Frustrating isn’t it . I have spent 2 1/2 weeks trying to login. I thought things were looking promising. For the first time I got a message acknowledgement of receiving My ID. A photo of My passport. What could be better as proof? Yep I just got a message today. It rejected My ID !!!! Name , DOB and photo all there and it is rejected!!!! What can You do?
Author
I’m afraid this is completely beyond anything I’ve come across with 2FA. The only thing I can suggest is having a friend or family member open a help thread for you.
Same thing happened to me Wednesday. I am crying over the 15 years of photos and memories of my children that I have lost. Every time I try to submit my ID I get a spinning “Submitting ID” screen that never goes away or an error message. I am not sure what to do! Also, there are not any Oculus products to buy right now… 🙁
After 2 months I finally regained access to my Facebook account this morning. I wanted to share to give everyone else some hope! As suggested, I continued to go through the submit my ID process. I used my drivers license numerous times and just recently tried using my Passport instead. I got the same email response still indicating I would need the two factor code, but for whatever reason when I used the link provided in their email with their temporary password code it took me to a different page I hadn’t seen before and started taking me through the process of unlocking my account. I still ran into another problem. The only email listed was the hackers email and I was again at a standstill. I then submitted this form : https://m.facebook.com/help/contact/357439354283890
Although I did not receive a response back, when I tried opening my app this morning for the first time it said they had confirmed my account and it took me through a few more steps where I was able to remove the hackers email and regain complete access.
I’m still not sure whether it was the extra form I submitted or just luck that I got back into my account. It doesn’t sound like there is any clear cut way of regaining access, but my advice is to keep sending in your ID/try a different form of ID too. And keep trying the link they provide you with in their response. For whatever reason it eventually seemed to work for me.
After four months….well that give me hope, Mine was hacked in June and I lost most of my business contacts and every document I had every created. I will keep trying
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this, and unfortunately persistence is about the only thing I can offer as a solution. If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you report your account as hacked.
When you were able to get back into your account was anything deleted? I’ve been hacked and currently waiting to hear back after submitting my ID, but just thinking about 13 years worth of memories just gone is so sad.
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this too. Nothing was deleted on my account, but I reported it hacked within minutes of receiving a message saying that someone was trying to change the password. It was just enough time for the hackers to change the email address and activate 2FA, but not enough time to do anything else to the account. If you haven’t already reported your account as hacked, please give these tips a try: https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
I am sorry that it seems like this problem is so widespread! There is hope! I have had my Facebook page since 2004, on July 21st it was hacked, I got the notifications in the middle of the night and my account was unrecoverable by the time I noticed. 2 weeks ago, I was able to change my email address, but couldn’t get past the 2 factor authentication the hacker set up. Today, however, a FB miracle happened and I was back in! No Occulus purchase necessary! I am thankful I found this blog and the comments here. This was more helpful than the FB help center and I followed many if these steps to get back in to my account. Thank you for the help. I hope everyone else gets their account back too.
Jennifer please do tell us all how You were able to get to be able to get in? Ive been trying for about 5 weeks now and they just keep rejecting My ID. It would be great if you would tell Us all how You did it.
I also am curious – My ID also keeps getting rejected (I have tried driver’s licence and passport). I have been locked out since mid June.
Hello! I’ve tried to respond several times and it looks like none of them saved. I spent about 3 weeks reporting my account as hacked trying to get to the page where you could upload your ID (also spamming the contact from for security settings are prohibiting log in and security@facebookmail.com). I was never successful. I created a new account in the hopes that it would get me to some better help options. Also a failure. The account that was hacked has over a decade of memories, so I didn’t want to just let it go. One evening about 2 weeks ago, I tried to log in to my hacked page from my mobile app, I got to a screen where I could provide a new email address not previously linked to FB and take a picture upload my ID, I used my driving license and made sure all of the information was readable. A few days later, I got an email confirming my identity and letting me know my email address was changed. I was able to change my password, but couldn’t get past the code generator 2FA the hacker set up. I was able to click “need help” which let me provide my email again and take a picture to upload my ID, I used the same ID making sure all info was readable. About 3 days later, I got an email with an unlock code. I had read the links in that email do not work, so I went to Facebook from my desktop and manually entered the unlock code as my password. I was able to bypass 2FA by clicking that I didn’t have access to the phone number (none were listed on that screen) and was shown friend’s pictures to their names….. after that, I was prompted to secure my account by clicking the link to secure it, and change my password. I then got recovery codes, set up my own 2 FA, and downloaded my page information. I don’t know if I just got lucky, but I can only suggest to keep trying. I hope everyone gets their accounts back. Best of luck!
Hello! I have tried to leave a reply to explain the steps I took to get back into my account several times, it doesn’t seem it stuck. I tried for 3 weeks to report my account as hacked trying to get to the screen where I could upload my ID to recover my account (I also spammed security@facebookmail.com and the contact page on the security is preventing log in). Never worked. I also created a new account in the hopes it would bring me to some better customer service options. Also a fail. Then I tried to log into my hacked account from my mobile phone application, and I was taken to a screen to provide a new email address that was not associated with my account and upload my id. About 3 days later, I got an email confirming my identity, and that my email address had been tied to the account. It was added along with the hacker’s email, which I didn’t like. I was able to change my password, but couldn’t get past the 2 factor code generator the hacker set up. I chose “need help” and it again took me to the page where I could upload my ID. About 3 day later, I got an email confirming my identity and contained an unlock code. I had read on other blogs that the links in that email didn’t work, so I went onto my desktop, manually typed in the Facebook URL and used the unlock code as my password. I was able to bypass the 2 FA by clicking “I don’t have access to the phone number” (none were listed). It took me to a screen where I matched friend’s pictures with their names and I was back into my account. I changed my password, turned on 2 FA to my information, and downloaded/saved my account history. I hope this helps someone recover their account. Best of luck!
Author
I can’t speak for Jennifer (and I hope she pops back if she has anything new to share), but if it was anything like my experience, there is actually nothing to report — for me it went from FB not accepting the ID to suddenly working, without any rhyme or reason.
As wrote in the blog update, there was no secret to getting back in: just regularly completing the form, trying different forms of IDs, and taking different photos. I didn’t do anything differently to make the automatic ID reader pop up.
Please explain steps you did to get back in? I am needing the 2FA but other than that appear logged in but not showing on any friends list. My cell is not attached to my account so cannot get 2FA code that way and no access to FB to get code under settings/security
Hello! I had tried fruitlessly to report my account as hacked to get the ID reader. About 2 weeks ago, I tried to log in from my mobile app. I got a link to capture my ID, I made sure to keep taking the picture of my license until all information was legible. About 3 days later, I got a recovery code via email. I did not click any links that were in the email. I logged in using the recovery code, manually typing it into my password location. From there, it asked for the 2 factor ID code, I was able to click an option saying that I didn’t have access to the phone number, and it brought up a screen yo verify my account by matching friend’s pictures to their name. I was able to “secure” my account, remove the hackers information and change it back to mine.
I had tried for nearly 3 weeks to report my account as hacked in order to submit my ID to prove my identity (i also spammed their security@facebookmail.com and their “contact” form for security settings are preventing log in) . Never worked. I created a new acct in the hopes it would bring me to a better recovery option. Also didn’t work. Last week I tried to log in to my old account from my mobile app, it look me to a place where I could take a pic of my ID and provide an alternate email address. About 3 days later, I received an email confirming my identity and my alternate email was added to my account (along with the hacker email, which is dumb), so I was able to change my password. I still couldn’t get past the 2 factor authentication. So, I had to submit my ID again by using the “more help” or “need another way” link under the code box. 3 days later (Sat), I got an email with an unlock code. I had read on this and other blogs that the links in the email do not work, so I used my desktop, went to Facebook, manually typed in the unlock code, was able to bypass 2 FA by matching friends pics with their name, changed my password again, and secured my account. From there I enabled every security feature offered and downloaded my whole page history. This long, but how it happened. Best of luck!
Author
I’m sorry to hear you are dealing with this; all of the information I have is posted in the blog update. After reporting my account as hacked, I spent four months regularly submitting my ID to Facebook via the 2FA page until suddenly it let me back in.
I had tried for nearly 3 weeks to report my account as hacked in order to submit my ID to prove my identity (i also spammed their security@facebookmail.com and their “contact” form for security settings are preventing log in) . Never worked. I created a new acct in the hopes it would bring me to a better recovery option. Also didn’t work. Last week I tried to log in to my old account from my mobile app, it look me to a place where I could take a pic of my ID and provide an alternate email address. About 3 days later, I received an email confirming my identity and my alternate email was added to my account (along with the hacker email, which is dumb), so I was able to change my password. I still couldn’t get past the 2 factor authentication. So, I had to submit my ID again by using the “more help” or “need another way” link under the code box. 3 days later (today), I got an email with an unlock code. I had read on blogs that the links in the email do not work, so I used my desktop, went to Facebook, manually typed in the unlock code, was able to bypass 2 FA by matching friends pics with their name, changed my password again, and secured my account. From there I enabled every security feature offered and downloaded my whole page history. This long, but how it happened. Best of luck!
Author
If you are dealing with a 2FA problem and have not read the blog post or its update:
1. Make sure to report your account as hacked if you have not done so already, and see if any of these suggestions work for you:
https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-recover-a-hacked-facebook-account/
2. All of the information I have about recovering a Facebook account is published in the update. It took me four months of sending in my ID before I got mine back. I am a travel blogger, not a technician: I do not have any secret or different information — as far as I know, there is no rhyme or reason as to why the system sometimes works, but oftentimes doesn’t.
3. If you have found a way back into your account that is not listed in the blog post, please let me know and I will add it to the update.
I think people have to be realistic about this. Myself included. If You find yourself in the position that many of Us have described the reality is that what was once Your account is no longer Yours. It’s Facebooks with the hackers coming a close second. You get the bronze medal. In a way I’m glad I’m free of it. I only miss some of the groups I was in not FB itself.Trying to login has now lost its appeal and I will not create another account
….Also please check out Change.Org. They have started a petition to get Facebook to offer proper customer support. Please sign it.
Definitely will go sign!
here’s what worked for me. I got it from another thread on facebook help:
I attempted to log in through the Chrome browser on my iPhone. Not the app, and not a desktop browser. For some reason the mobile browser loads different screens. When I got to the screen that asks for the 2FA code, I selected the “Need help?” link. This took me to a menu to select my problem. I selected “I do not have this phone”. The next page told me something useless, I can’t remember what it said…but under that there was a little link that said “Contact Us”. That took me to a page to submit my ID again. They verified it and emailed me a code. I did not click the link in the email. I copied the code and pasted it into my app.
After that I was in my account and could turn off 2FA. My account was still locked, but the app took me trough the steps. It even asked me which email address to keep on the account.
I wanted to comment that this worked for me. After weeks of submitting my ID through my computer on the Facebook app I used Chrome on my phone. 2 days later I got an email with a password to bypass 2FA. I am now in my Facebook account after 7 weeks. Looks like FB is no longer using 2FA so that’s good. Thank you for your suggestion.
Author
Thanks for this tip; I’ll add it to the blog post.
Please do Heather. I’d share the petition on Facebook if I could login lol
Hi Elaine (and everyone else) by pure chance I just stumbled on a slightly different form that You can submit to Facebook. This one seemed to focus on Your mobile number and provider ( ie BT , Vodafone etc). I haven’t seen this one before.It also gives a space for You to put in any problem.Ive completed it and will update if I get anywhere with it.
What is the Petition called on Change.Org as I’d like to sign this. I only found one regarding Facebook when I search which was started 5yrs ago…
Catherine it is the one started by Joe Youngblood .Plenty of people currently signing which suggests to Me that Facebook has more problems than I think they want to admit to.
Here it is!
https://www.change.org/p/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-it-s-time-for-you-to-have-customer-service-that-does-t-suck
Omg y’all. My account was hacked earlier this week and the hacker set up 2FA so I couldn’t log in. Same as everyone else. When I input my email and new password, it would require the 2FA code, which of course was going to the hacker! After multiple times going around and around with the VERY limited FB security resources (no interaction options at all) including verifying my identity like 5 times by submitting my drivers license I am finally back in. And that’s only because I got on LinkedIn and read through hundreds of comments from others who had the same thing happen and found one little comment that specified that when FB sends you a generated password after you submit your ID, you have to manually type it in FROM A DESKTOP. Unbelievable. Sharing in case anybody else has issues. According to a quick Google search and me stalking LI today, it’s happening a lot. Needless to say the minute I got back in I set up MY two factor authentication.
Hey all. As with everyone else here, my account was hacked (last week). It’s amazing…it literally happened within minutes. I filled out the forms, provided my ID a couple of times, and Facebook security sent me a link to change my username and password, but I guess they didn’t understand that I need a code to bypass the 2fa verification as well. I was trying so hard to follow up on that, but as we’ve all said, FB customer service absolutely sucks, and I have had zero luck getting a response since. I believe I have been banned from trying anymore. The forms I fill out now say something along the lines of “cannot complete request. Try again later.” I’ve looked through some of the comments here, but has anyone been “banned” from trying to get their account back, and is there anything I can do about this?
Just want to share my experience getting hacked with 2FA as well, your blog is my reference when when I was having the problem. Oculus method is out of questions since I live in a country where Oculus is not available, even if it is, it will be expensive.
So I did the send my ID identification a few times, got rejected, sent it from Chrome, Edge on PC as well as my phone Chrome browsers.
Tired of being rejected with the automatic, we can’t give you your account. I decided not to do anything for a few weeks. Luckily I don’t rely on FB much.
So yesterday I decided to try again 1 more time. Login via Chrome browser on PC, however when I tried to click on need more help, nothing comes out. There was no upload your ID page that I usually get, same as Edge browser. The page just stuck there.
Then I tried to use Chrome on my mobile, and the link work on mobile. So I upload my ID, like you said, need a lot of light to capture this. I was uploading at night previously, so no natural light. This time decided to use as much sunlight as I can get to captured the ID. Same passport ID I tried previously. I’m skeptical about uploading many types of ID to FB.
Anyway, it worked. Didn’t receive the ‘we can’t give you your ID’ but links to log-in instead via email after a few minutes.
Hello,
Just commenting to see if you’ve heard of anyone else regaining access to their account?
Author
All of the information I have is provided in the blog post update.
Hi Elaine,
Where can I find your latest blog updates, without having to scroll through everything for new posts?
Kind regards
Catherine
Author
The update is at the end of the original blog post, not in the comments. This link should take you right to it; otherwise, just look for the UPDATE heading in the main text:
https://miss-elaineous.com/about-the-time-hackers-activated-two-factor-authentication-on-my-facebook-account/#april2021
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to add a comment with details on how I got back into my FB account after being locked out for four weeks to NEVER have the comment show up on the page. Are you actually trying to help people?
Author
All websites are a magnet for spam messages and bots, and it is necessary to have a strong filter for comments and forms to prevent fraudulent messages from getting through. My spam filter currently has 3000+ items in it, and I suspect that your comments were caught in this for whatever reason. If you have information to share, you can try posting in the comments again or email me directly at hello@miss-elaineous.com so I can add your solution to the update.
Thanks Elaine. Found it.
Its just that I’m finding the posts are not in date order. I’ll read a post or comment from someone say in April, and right after that will be someone who has posted in August.
At the moment I am trying to find the link regarding the Facebook petition. I signed it, someone on here asked me where the link is and now I can’t find the link on here that someone originally posted. As the posts and comments are all not in date order.
Can you help with the Change.org link re the Facebook petition? Also can you help me understand how the order of the posts and comments work?
By the way I bought an Oculus device in order to see if this would help get me access to my account. I had 30days for this to work as that is the time frame for returns. Oculus replied to my query pretty quickly, asked for all the relevant info..invoice no, serial no, etc and what the problem was. I informed them had been hacked and 2FA switched on and no matter what I did as requested by Facebook, was just going round in circles as Facebook would not allow me to bypass the 2FA.
Oculus said they would pass this info to the Facebook Team. You also have to supply an email account not linked to your Facebook account in any way. So I created a new Facebook account. 2 wks passed, then Oculus said Facebook cannot reach out to me as the email I had provided was linked to my Facebook account. This I could not understand!! So I created another email address and Oculus said they would pass this on.
Time was running out for me to return the Device, so I requested that Oculus supply me with return labels, this took 3days to get them to email the labels to me. They àpologised for the lack of response from Facebook but understood that Facebook were receiving a lot of tickets from Oculus users!
At present I am still in conversation with Oculus as I have an ‘active’ ticket request from Oculus to the Facebook Team for help in getting me back access to my Facebook account. The operative at Oculus assures me that Facebook will reach out to me on the new email I created as my ‘ticket’ is active, that they never close a ticket unil it has been resolved.
Gave up a couple of months ago going down submitting ID every 7 days, as that was going no-where fast, plus its disturbing to know that Facebook has all this highly private information on you, that could be passed on to any ‘dark web’ organisation. Which is why I hope the Petition against them gains thousands of signatures, as surely this should be illegal to ask for such private and sensitive information, after all we are only asking to gain access back to our Facebook accounts, not asking to gain entry to the White House!
So I wait in hope.
Kind regards
Catherine
Author
I’m sorry to hear that getting an Oculus didn’t work for you. Unfortunately recovering an account remains a lottery.
The comments under the blog post should be posted chronologically in the order that they were received, but any responses to the initial comments will be from a later date, which is why it looks like it jumps around. The replies should be indented so you can follow the different threads, which is how it appears on my computer, but I have to admit I’m not sure what it might look like on different devices. The shared petition is at https://www.change.org/p/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-it-s-time-for-you-to-have-customer-service-that-does-t-suck
Hi everyone. Well , I’ve reported Facebook to the Information Commissioner’s Office and please may I urge anyone who has sent ID photos and still not recovered their account to do the same.They have previously fined Facebook for breaching The Data Protection Act 2018 and look likely to do so again.
Well done!! Am thoroughly disgusted with Facebook and their lack of response especially when such sensitive, private and personal info is being sent to them. I have alreasybsigned the Change.org petition were it is nearing the signatures required that someone will have to sit up and take notice. In the meantime would you please forward the email address of Information Commissioners Office and I will send in my concerns also.
I now have been hacked out of my account since May, and no amount of personal ID appears to be good enough for Facebook!!
Hi four months later and lots of attempts later I have My account back. Please everyone do persevere. As suggested just try on a daily or weekly basis.Good luck!!
Author
Great, glad to hear you got your account back!
I finally got my account back 2 weeks ago, not even quite sure how. After being locked out since Aug. Not 2 weeks later I am locked out again due to “someone may have accessed your account”. This time I think its bull**** because it seems this someone changed nothing. To get back in I have to submit my ID and it’s been repeatedly rejected saying it doesn’t show what they need or they can’t see it. Its my driver’s license and looks perfectly clear so I think it’s a glitch
Tried another form of ID but now it won’t accept anything due to too many attempts. I say this to let you all know that it might not be worth it to keep trying since getting back in doesn’t last long. I was able to get rid of the 2 factor ID when I initially got back in but now I’m already locked out again who knows why.
Author
If you have solutions to Facebook’s 2FA problem, please email them to me at hello@miss-elaineous.com. Comments with email addresses or links automatically get caught in the spam filter.
What steps have you been doing daily or weekly? I send my ID and once got a good reply but neither option worked to get in – now I send and get dame reply ID does not match account name – I use maiden and married name in Facebook – will keep trying and hope 1 person finally opens and realizes maiden and married name use
Same prob !
But i’m affraid the problems are bigger than FB-access. Cause the same email is used for other accounts the hacker has access to all the sites that support FB-login ?
Hi,
I am a graphic designer.Let me describe my issue.After restting my mobile the code coming to google authenticator app is not accepeted by face book account.I have only 10 old back up codes and an old QR code from google authenticator which I have saved 3 months before.I forgot to keep the latest QR code from face book or from Google authenticator.
I contactd facebook they said they can do anything.I sumbitted the IDS which was rejected.Because the personal facebook profile from which the company created the facebook business page is not for a person its the name of our subcompany.So there is no personal IDS like passort, visa, driving liscence,etc. to submit.
Now I am in a big trouble , I need to give this facebook account recovereded back to the company.Otherwise too much problems….If any one can help me please help me….
Hi I had some anxiety on my PC and set up a facebook code via Microsoft Authenticator app as extra security after putting in password,to my horror I reset my phone and the codes i had were lost. In saying this I do have some strong suspicions due to other security issues ive had that efforts have been made from possible hackers i do not get my account back,however I know my facebook account has not gone as I still get friend updates via email. Ive contacted Oculus support but I doubt them like everything else at the moment. I get responses from facebook I can not use this feature anymore as ive sent passport national insurance number and any other desperate measure I can think of. I could write a sadistic horror fim with facebook team getting a huge pleasure out of having absolute power and an ego trip. I am exempt from work on medical grounds and mentally I have been really stretched this past six weeks
Sadly I am dealing with this exact same issue. The thing is when I add my photo ID to recover my active account that has been taken over by someone else it says please enter a valid email. Well of course the hackers removed my email and phone number. Is this the same issue you dealt with at first? Thank you for all of your time and effort on this. Sadly I hope I can get back in and this never happens again. I feel like I am losing my mind 🙁
Author
In my case, hackers re-registered a long-defunct email address that I had listed as a secondary account years ago. This meant they could access any codes sent to the primary and secondary address. I reported the account as hacked when I received notice that someone was trying to change my password (it was one security feature that sort of worked). I also had friends report the hack, which served to lock the hackers out of the FB account. I then had to use a different email address when I sent in my photo ID. When I finally got back in after 4 months, I had to use a completely different email address as Facebook refused to accept my primary account. This is all a rather long-winded way of saying 1) please make sure you report your account as hacked, and 2) set up a secure email you can use to try to get back in. Good luck!
Thanks for the help, I manage to get back my account and bypass the 2FA problem.
You make my day, and hope you have a good day too.
Which method did you use?
the final solution i use is App Swap that mention above, it work with me.
What did you do to bypass the 2FA problem
I’ve sent Facebook my date of birth with my football club season ticket with phone numbers and address. My photo which is same as Facebook on Instagram. I’ve sent council tax forms bank statements and I get a instant reply not acceptable when they officially say 24 hours to review it. My mental health has suffered from this..I’m already exempt from work on medical grounds. Someone capable of taking this on to challenge meta group should be launched.
I get that automatic reply within minutes of sending ID too. My facebook account name does not match my ID as in facebook I have included my maiden name also – have sent emails explaining this and attached birth certificate, marriage licence and drivers licence to no avail. Been at this since last August
Best Option:
https://m.facebook.com/login/identify
I have tried the following ways up uploading:
With a mobile device, which you must have the id in front of you as it is a photo you must take.
On a desktop, and I uploaded a photo file.
On a laptop, using the webcam to recognize the id….this eventually is what finally worked!! (preferred) You will need to finagle it so you can get a clear image, but be persistent. And if it is rejected once, send it again.
It took me from August until December
Author
Thanks for sharing this, I’ll add it to the updates.
I finally recovered my account after 10 months.
I keep tried uploading id but it didn’t work.
So i eventually went on my desktop whis was my trusted device then i clicked on forgot password then click don’t have access to these emails. Then there will be the form to upload your id which will work.
Curious about you getting back into your account – we’re you locked out because of 2FA code requirement? That is my issue – I can log into my account no problem but the 2FA code keeps me out – when they reply about my ID bait matching as my account is my nsmem my maiden name and my married name and of course no ID as I only use my married name – have sent copies of birth certificate along with marriage certificate and drivers licence and no luck
My account was hacked on 4-7-22. I reported it as hacked and was able to submit my ID on 4-10-22 and they accepted it. I was able to log in, only to find my account is suspended. It let me request a review but that’s if. My support inbox is empty. It says my account will be permanently disabled in 16 days. What do I need to do to be able to fill out an appeal?
Hi, thank you so much for your blog. It has great tips. Except I can’t find anything about the ocolus option. Anyways, I did submit my ID and got the email with a password from FB, but when I entered it on my PC FB, it said wrong password. So now I’m stuck again. I have resent my ID since then with no luck. I’m afraid to be blocked :/
Same Problem 2fa
My Account got hacked May 14, 2022. The hacker removed my phone number and added 2fa. I am not able to retrieve the codes. I am still not back in and I have emailed every possible source I can find. It really stinks because my last child graduated this month and I cannot get or post pictures that people took a t the ceremony. It is sad that Facebook does not have a better troubleshooting section or customer service because it sounds like this happens a lot…
My account was hacked on 06/22/22 around 5am and they also got into my Instagram being that it was linked to my FB. I was able to recover my Instagram after it was hacked by sending a verification email address and doing a facial recognition scan. Sidenote: “I find it funny that FB owns Instagram and Instagram’s process was so much easier and faster than FB.” Either way I am so happy to have something of mine’s back! I did change my email and set 2-Factor for Instagram to prevent future hacking.
Now FB has been another story…I initially received an email that my primary email was changed to this spam type email sent by the hacker. However my phone number is still attached to the account, so that is the only way I am able to get new codes sent from FB security. I used a completely new email address for verification as well as sent in a photo of my ID. The problem I keep having is after selecting ” I do not have access to this email or forgot account,” FB sends emails with codes to both myself and the hacker email! The hacker is then able to see I’m trying to get back in and uses the same links/code sent in the emails to lock me back out. The hacker then removes my newly added email and I have to start the verification process all over again. It is INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING as I have submitted my ID and Passport about 5 times since last Wednesday and EACH time the hacker is given the new codes he removes my newly added email and locks my account again. I am going to give it some time to see if I can catch him slacking or hopefully sleeping and can get back in past the 2FA. I may try the Oculus trick to see if I can gain access. I will keep you guys posted on if I have any success.
Adding my name. 3 hour recovery time. HAcker changed language to Viet, changed my phone, turned on two step, changed my email and I was out.
They were doing it for two days before I was completely locked out.
I reported as hacked. I uploaded my id at least 5 or 6 times.
Eventually they accepted one, and it was copy/paste the first link, because the 2nd and the code just put me in a loop, since my account was reported as hacked. But that link from the email that accepted the id was the one that got through. I had also tried replying to the no reply emails, begging them.
I changed the recovery codes IMMEDIATELY upon regaining access. I should change the email too. Then deactivate.
Hi Elaine, On September 22 my email, Facebook and Instagram were hacked. After that both my social accounts were blocked by administrator. I do not have access to the relevant email after the attack. I can confirm them my identity how ever they need. But when I try to send a relevant form there Is a red sentense: due to the covid-19 we have no capacity to check your problem again. Is there any way how to get back my accounts without this form?
Author
Apologies for the delay in responding, I just saw your comment in spam, but I am afraid I have no information beyond what is already listed in this blog post.
**Update** After 3 months of being locked out of my account, I was able to get back in last Thursday 09/29, I got my page back. On July 5th after about 2 weeks of fighting back and forth with the hacker who kept removing my newly placed emails Facebook finally locked my account for suspicious activity. Somehow I checked a week later and the hackers email was completely removed from my account and I was able to get my email as the primary one. I was still locked out even after I provided my proof of identity (ID, Passport etc.) until this past Thursday. When I seen that my page finally unlocked I almost jumped for joy. I did later realize that the hacker had gotten a lot of my friends pages through messenger (insert sad face) and continued hacking about 8-10 other family friends. I have now turned on two factor moving forward, changed my emails and will not longer accept suspicious friend requests or go to pages I don’t recognize!
Author
Well done, it’s great to hear you were able to get your account back!
Well I am locked out almost a year now and i have given up. I was not hacked I just created two step authentication code that got deleted by me by accident.
My account is still live as i get email friend updates but after putting in my password every time I get the prompt for a code I created and i know I no longer have it. Been quoted fees of £50 + from scammers on sister site Instagram where I am also a member and I did not set up two step authentication. on here,I have tried every step including tweeting every meta employee about my plight and they just ignore. Absolutely terrible ive lost contact with friends too. I just wish Facebook could not get away with situations like mine where they hold my data too.
Author
You may want to try this: https://hacked.com/recover-facebook-account/
I’m still doing some research on it so I cannot vouch for them, but it’s the only legitimate looking site I’ve seen that might be able to help.
Well since 13th December 2021 I have been locked out of my account. Just now like on a regular occurrence I have sent my passport photograph as proof of who I am and unlike previous occasions I was sent a code to get access back. This has ironically happened after I changed my microsoft edge profile yesterday. It is clear some twisted individual got access to my set up and it worked for them I got locked out of Facebook!!! I cannot believe i am back but was pointless setting up a new account as was so irate over matter. Facebook though is a shambles. Nobody who worked for meta answered me on twitter. There is no customer service so do not set up extra security like I did. Back on facebook saturday night 28th /1/2023
2023 and here I am having the same issue. Hacked and 2fa enabled. I am at the process of submitting my ID buty problem is that no matter what device i use (desktop,laptop,phone,tablet) i get stuck on “submitting I’d. It keeps on spinning and never moves forward. And when I try many times it says i tried too many times …and won’t allow me to try again for days
2/2023 – I’ve been locked out of my account for days now – I’ve lost count. I did have success submitting my ID the first time using Microsoft edge on a laptop from which I’ve logged into Facebook in the past. I hope this helps you!
Now, when trying to resubmit my ID to get the second email which bypasses 2FA, I am receiving the running circle with the ‘submitting ID’ message. I will keep trying because I’m not sure what else to do.
Hopefully people can get some help from this.
Photo requirements
Show all four corners
Make sure that all four corners of the ID are visible in the photo.
Keep the ID flat
Use a flat surface to take the photo. Don’t take the photo at an angle.
Use a clear and focused image
Make sure that the photo isn’t blurry, and avoid glare and shadows. Text and images on the photo must be clearly visible.
Use a dark background
White or light-coloured backgrounds won’t be accepted.
Show all info on your ID
Photos that have been digitally modified to hide information won’t be accepted. You can still cover sensitive information physically, such as with stickers or tape.
Author
Thanks! I’ll add this to the blog post.
Hi Ms.Elaine,
I followed one of your instructions and fortunately recovered my hacked FB account in just 1 day!!!
You are a lifesaver. My account was 15-yr old and it’s such a waste if i let the hacker win and have it.
Uploading ID worked for me and opening FB in desktop using the recovery code bypassed the authentication needed in order to log in.
I hope for those searching for this kind of help, finds your blog, same as what I did.
Thank you again!
Author
I’m so pleased to hear that one of the solutions worked for you! Thanks for letting me know.
I am just going through this. I cannot get any response from FB except they shut down my hacked account. Unfortunately I had 3 business pages attached to that page and I no longer have access. I opened a new FB profile since the other one was hacked and shut down. I can’t get them to even respond to me about my business pages. So frustrating.
I am just going through this. I cannot get any response from FB except they shut down my hacked account. Unfortunately I had 3 business pages attached to that page and I no longer have access. I opened a new FB profile since the other one was hacked and shut down. I can’t get them to even respond to me about my business pages. So frustrating.
Get ready for a wild ride. Some have had success in uploading their IDs. That finally worked for me after months of trying. Make sure to take a picture of your ID in plenty of light and do it on your cell phone. I think that is what delayed me for so long. I uploading my drivers license on my laptop. Since these are business pages I would first try reaching out to the FB business. They are much more helpful and act quicker than regular FB.
March 2024 can we still add our updates here?
Author
If you have an update about your experience or have found a solution to the 2FA problem, please go ahead and share it.
Hi, the same exact thing happened to me exactly on my birthday July 3. The 2FA is on and going around in a vicious circle with Facebook. Every time I reset my password, it asks me for my 2FA authentication code which only the hacker receives. Not sure what to do at this point. We’re you able to get back into your account in the end or you gave up? I am about to give up because it’s a month now that I am trying and FB is not helping. No phone number, live chat or working email address. They are terrible. Please let me know if you any advice for me. Thanks. Much appreciated. Clint from West Palm Beach, FL
Author
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this as well. I eventually got my account after trying for several months, but I don’t know why the recovery process finally work. Some people have managed to unlock their account sooner; all of the methods that people have shared with me are in the blog post.
You are in for a long fight. It took me 4 months to get my account back. I finally got it back by uploading my driver’s license when it asked for verification since they changed your PH# they will ask you for a passport or DL. I did it by sending it through my iPhone NOT my laptop. Make sure to take the picture in a very bright area. After I did this many times (FB kept denying the image) they finally gave me a secure email to obtain a 2FA authentication code. This was a long process, but I wanted my original account back, so I didn’t give up.