Recovering a Hacked Facebook Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Over 2.8 billion people use Facebook every month to connect with friends, family, and colleagues. The security of one's social media account is more crucial than ever.

A surprising statistic reveals that up to 160,000 Facebook accounts are compromised every day, highlighting a significant risk to users worldwide. This stark number underscores the widespread issue of cybersecurity and the personal and professional dependence on Facebook as a primary means of communication and engagement.

Falling victim to a hacked Facebook account can lead to many issues, from the invasion of privacy and unauthorized posts to more severe consequences like identity theft and financial loss.

Recognizing the urgency and distress that comes with finding out your account has been compromised, this article aims to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to recover a hacked Facebook account, helping you to regain control and secure your digital presence.

How To Tell If Your Facebook Account Was Hacked

Before diving into the recovery process, it's essential to determine whether your Facebook account has been compromised. Here are some telltale signs that your account may have been hacked:

1. Unauthorized Activity: Keep an eye out for any unusual activity on your account, such as posts you didn't make, messages you didn't send, or friend requests you didn't initiate.
2. Changes to Account Information: Any sudden changes to your account settings, such as a new email address or phone number linked to your account, could be a sign of unauthorized access.
3. Suspicious Emails or Messages: Be wary of any emails or messages claiming to be from Facebook asking for your login credentials or personal information. These could be phishing attempts by hackers.
4. Difficulty Logging In: If you cannot log in to your Facebook account despite entering the correct credentials, someone else may have changed your password.
   

What To Do If You Still Have Access To Your Facebook Account

If you suspect that your Facebook account has been hacked but still have access to it, there are several immediate steps you should take to secure your account:

Step 1: Change Your Password

The first and most crucial step is to change your password immediately. Choose a strong, unique password that includes a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable passwords or ones you have used for other accounts. Be sure to keep the password in a safe place.

To change your password on Facebook, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Facebook login page and log in to your account.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen and select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Settings menu, click on "Security and Login."
4. Under the "Login" section, click on "Change password."
5. Follow the prompts to enter your current password and create a new one.

Once you've changed your password, log out of any devices or browsers where you're currently logged in to ensure that the hacker no longer has access to your account.

Step 2: Check Where You're Logged In

Facebook provides a feature that allows you to see where your account is currently logged in and the devices or browsers being used. This can help you identify any suspicious activity and take appropriate action.

To check where you're logged in on Facebook, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Facebook login page and log in to your account if you're not already logged in.
2. Click on the arrow icon in the top right corner of the screen and select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Settings menu, click on "Security and Login."
4. Under the "Where You're Logged In" section, you'll see a list of devices and their locations where your account is currently logged in. Review this list carefully and look for any unfamiliar devices or locations.
5. If you see any suspicious activity, click on the three dots next to the session and select "Not You?" to log out of that session and secure your account.

Step 3: Report the Incident to Facebook

If you believe your account has been hacked, immediately report the incident to Facebook. Facebook has dedicated resources to help users recover hacked accounts and can assist in securing your account and investigating the incident.

To report a hacked account to Facebook, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Facebook Help Center and navigate to the "Hacked Accounts" section. https://www.facebook.com/hacked/
2. Click on the option that best describes your situation, such as "My Account Is Compromised" or "Someone Else Got Into My Account."
3. Follow the prompts to provide details about the hacking incident, including any relevant information about unauthorized activity or changes to your account.
4. Facebook will guide you through securing your account and regaining access, which may include additional verification steps or resetting your password.

How To Recover a Hacked Facebook Account That You've Been Locked Out Of

If you believe your Facebook account has been hacked, follow these steps to initiate the recovery process:

1. Try to Log In: Start by attempting to log in to your Facebook account using your usual credentials. If you cannot log in, click the "Forgot Password?" link below the login fields. https://www.facebook.com/hacked/
2. Verify Your Identity: Facebook will prompt you to verify your identity to ensure you are the account's rightful owner. This may involve answering security questions, entering a verification code sent to your email or phone number, or identifying friends in photos. 
3. Secure Your Account: Once you've regained access, take steps to secure it and prevent future hacking attempts. Change your password to a unique combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.
4. Review Your Account Activity: Review your account settings and recent activity to identify unauthorized changes or suspicious behavior. Remove any unfamiliar devices or apps connected to your account and revoke access to third-party services if necessary.
5. Change The Email Address For Your Account: If the system can find your account, it will request to send a verification code to the email address or phone number currently linked. In case the account or phone number listed does not belong to you, please select the 'I no longer have access to this ' option, and then choose 'Cannot access my email.'
6. Setup a Recovery Email Address: Head straight to the Settings & Privacy section after successfully accessing your account. Click on Settings and then go to General. In this section, you can modify or delete any contact information linked to your account and eliminate any details you do not recognize or don't belong to you.
7. Report the Incident: If you believe your account was hacked, report the incident to Facebook immediately. Visit the Facebook Help Center and follow the instructions for reporting a hacked account. Providing as much detail as possible will help expedite the recovery process.

How To Report Someone Impersonating You on Facebook

In addition to dealing with hacked accounts, Facebook users may also encounter situations where someone is impersonating them on the platform. Impersonation can lead to identity theft, harassment, and other forms of online abuse. If you discover that someone is impersonating you on Facebook, here's what you should do:

1. Gather Evidence: Before reporting the impersonation to Facebook, gather evidence to support your claim. This may include screenshots of the impersonating profile, messages, or other relevant information.
2. Report the Impersonation: Visit the profile of the impersonating account and click on the three dots (...) located at the bottom right corner of the cover photo. From the dropdown menu, select "Find Support or Report Profile" and follow the prompts to report the account to Facebook. Provide as much detail as possible, including why you believe the account is impersonating you.
3. Secure Your Account: While Facebook investigates the impersonation report, take steps to secure your own account. Change your password, review your privacy settings, and enable two-factor authentication to prevent further unauthorized access.
4. Monitor for Further Activity: Monitor your Facebook account and any related accounts or profiles for signs of further impersonation or unauthorized activity. Report any additional instances of impersonation to Facebook promptly.

How To Protect Your Facebook Account From Hackers

Prevention is always better than cure when safeguarding your Facebook account from hackers. Here are some proactive measures you can take to reduce the risk of unauthorized access:

• Regularly review your privacy settings: Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your posts, friends list, and personal information. Limit the visibility of your profile to friends only or a custom audience.
• Be cautious of third-party apps: Review the permissions requested by third-party apps before granting access to your Facebook account. Avoid granting unnecessary permissions or access to apps with questionable credibility.
• Educate yourself about common scams: Stay informed about common Facebook scams, such as phishing emails, fake friend requests, and fraudulent offers. Be skeptical of any requests for personal or financial information.
• Log out from unused devices: If you've logged into your Facebook account from a public or shared device, remember to log out afterward. Avoid saving your login credentials on public computers or untrusted devices.
• Monitor your account activity: Regularly review your Facebook account activity for suspicious logins or unauthorized access. Facebook provides tools to view active sessions and log out from devices remotely if needed.

Facebook Phishing Examples

Scammers often pretend to be Meta support and threaten users with account suspension to trick them into giving away their personal information. They take advantage of people's fear of losing access to their accounts and lure them into a trap. 

These scams can compromise your password and give cybercriminals access to your account. Always be cautious when receiving such messages and verify with official Meta channels before responding to any claims. 

Recovering a hacked Facebook account can be a stressful experience, but by following these steps and remaining vigilant, you can regain control of your account and safeguard your online presence against future threats. Remember to prioritize security and proactively protect yourself and your personal information online.