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How to Tell if your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked

by Suzanne Kantra on June 29, 2023

Updated on 6/29/2023 with current instructions

If you've seen unusual activity on your Facebook account, your account may have been compromised. Either hackers have gotten into your account to access your personal information, or scammers have cloned your account, using your profile photo and other public information, to prey on your friends and family.

With hacking, someone has gotten into your account, often by stealing your Facebook password or your email password. For instance, the "IS THIS YOU?" video scam tricks Facebook users into clicking a link to view a video, but then takes them to a fake Facebook login page to steal their account credentials. Once hackers have access to your account, they can view all of your information and even lock you out of your own account.

Find out if your Facebook account has been hacked

There are lots of signs that your account may be compromised. Here are red flags to watch for:

  • You can't log into your account.
  • You get an email with instructions on how to reset your Facebook password when you didn't try to reset your password.
  • You get an email saying someone logged into your account when you haven't logged into your account.
  • You see posts you didn't make, messages you didn't write, friend requests you didn't send, or profile changes you didn't make.

Screenshot of email alert showing a new login to a Facebook account with the type of device and location of the login.

If you don't these warning signs, your account have likely been cloned. Read our story on What is Facebook Account Cloning & What Can You do about It

How to revoke access to your Facebook account

On your computer:

  1. Go directly to your Meta Accounts Center Password and security page.
  2. Select "Where you're logged in."

On your phone:

  1. Open the Facebook app.
  2. Select "Menu" (your profile photo in the lower right).
  3. Select the cog icon in the upper right.
  4. Select "Password and security" in the Meta Accounts Center box at the top.
  5. Select "Password and security."
  6. Select "Where you're logged in."

Meta Accounts Center main page showing the option for Password and security selected.

The "Where You're Logged In" section of the page will list every device you've logged on to Facebook with, as well as their locations. If you see a device or location you don't recognize, it's a good sign someone else has access to your account. You can kick them out immediately by clicking on "Select devices to log out." Click on the circle next to any logins you don't recognize and then click the "Log out" button.

Facebook where you're logged in screen showing a device selected for logout.

Secure your Facebook account from hackers

While locking a potential hacker out of your account throws them offline immediately, they may be able to log right back in. To keep them out, you need to take a few more steps to secure your account.

If you aren't already there, start by going to your Meta Accounts Center Password and security page as outlined above.

1. Change your password

Select "Change password," then enter your current password and a new, unique password. Having a password you don't use on any other site will ensure that no one can get into your Facebook account if your password was stolen from another site.

2. Turn on two-factor authentication

Turn on two-factor authentication popup window showing how you get login codes, additional backup methods and authorized logins.

Select "Two-factor authentication" and then click on your account. Select the type of two-factor authentication you'd like to use – an authentication app, a text message, or a security key. You'll have to enter a code (or use your key) as well as your password to log on when you use a new device or browser. This means even if a hacker gets your password, they can't get into your account. After you enable two-factor authentication, make note of your Recovery codes, which will let you into your account if you lose access to your authentication app, phone or security key. You can find them by selecting "Additional methods" and then "Recovery codes" from the two-factor authentication page.

3. Set up alerts for unrecognized logins

In the "Security check section, select "Login alerts," then select whether you'd like to be notified by email or in-app notification. This way you'll get an email if anyone logs into your account other than you.

Once you've done that, it's a good time to review the security on your email account – because if a hacker has access to email associated with your Facebook account, they may be able to get back in. We recommend changing your email password and setting up two-factor authentication.

With these changes, any hackers should be locked out of your Facebook account – and you've made it harder for them to get back in. And while you're at it, take the time to review our suggestions on how to manage your Facebook Privacy settings.

Recover your Facebook account from hackers

If a hacker has access to your Facebook account, you can run into a snag: they may have changed the password so you can't access it. If you're trying to log on to Facebook and find your password doesn't work, you should see a "Forgot Password?" option. Facebook will be able to send an email to any of the email addresses associated with your Facebook account or a text to your phone. From there, follow Facebook's instructions.

Facebook login screen with the Forgot password option circled.

Once you have your account back, you should follow the instructions above to add extra security to protect yourself from hackers in the future. Or if you're fed up, here's how to delete your Facebook account permanently.

[Image credit: Screenshots via Techlicious, image of laptop on wooden table via Smartmockups]

For the past 20+ years, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra has been exploring and writing about the world’s most exciting and important science and technology issues. Prior to Techlicious, Suzanne was the Technology Editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the Senior Technology Editor for Popular Science. Suzanne has been featured on CNN, CBS, and NBC.


Topics

Facebook, Computers and Software, Computer Safety & Support, Tips & How-Tos, Privacy


Discussion loading

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From Peggy S. Hunt on January 31, 2019 :: 11:44 am


My friends are receiving message requests from me that are coming out of Nigeria.  I have changed my Facebook password but obviously that has not stopped these hackers, what do I do now?

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From Josh Kirschner on January 31, 2019 :: 12:44 pm


Most of the time, these issues are a result of someone cloning your Facebook account, not hacking it. With cloning, they take all of your information, including profile picture, and create a new account under your name. They then invite your existing friends to your new cloned account, eventually to send them spam or scams.

Want to know if your account has been cloned? Search for your name in Facebook and see what comes up. If you see a fake account, report it.

The best way to prevent account cloning is to hide your friend list in your Facebook privacy settings. Set “Who can see your friends list?” to “Friends”. If they don’t know who your friends are, they can’t do anything with a cloned account.

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From James creech on February 03, 2021 :: 11:13 pm


What should i do nothing is working i was on Facebook then all os a sudden about 50 friends request started poping up all at once then i was logged out and it said session exspired and logged me out and when you pull messenger up sone body else profile it want let you click on it its there with my picture on it but my profile picture has changed and they are using my name and still have my friends on there i reported the picture but Facebook want to nothing and i told them through email i was hacked and thats not my picture but its my page

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From Ste on June 30, 2023 :: 10:59 am


Hi I need help on Facebook I’ve got 2 accounts pop back up the accounts are old accounts are from 2010 wot can I do don’t know the details for the accounts please can you help me

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From Marika on March 21, 2019 :: 1:25 am


I have received a request from a FB contact I don’t normally talk to asking for money urgently. This person is known to our family but not someone that would normally ask for money..so I’m wondering if her account has been hacked or cloned, is there a way to know?
Thank you for your feedback.

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From Josh Kirschner on March 21, 2019 :: 10:26 am


If people aren’t careful with their passwords are unique, or get tricked into entering their credentials on a phishing page, it’s not hard to get access to someone’s account. There are ways to see if your own account has been hacked, so the best thing to do is contact the person and let them know what’s going on. They can follow our advice for how to tell if your Facebook account has been hacked and what to do about it above.

It’s also possible their account was cloned, not hacked. Here’s how to tell if your Facebook account has been cloned and what to do about that.

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From ardeen hunt on April 15, 2019 :: 5:58 pm


I get email from friends that I cant respond to they say notifacations are in fb. not there when I log in. how can I get friends back when they don’t have request on their page

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From Kerry Ivanovich on September 17, 2019 :: 7:51 am


My account was hacked and I can’t access it i just changed new phone number is 860.xxx.xxxx and new phone is 813.xxx.xxxx i need my fb account back Thank you ...

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From Josh Kirschner on September 18, 2019 :: 12:59 pm


You need to follow the steps in the article above to recover your account. Please don’t post personal information here (I’ve blanked out your phone numbers) - we can’t get your account back for you.

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From James creech on February 03, 2021 :: 10:57 pm


My profile was hacked this morning and i got two text messages this morning saying password was changed and i have tried everything to get back in to it and they have messages all my friends talking crazy and when i pull up my sing in it got a different phone number and different profile picture on it and i had my dad go to my facebook page and they have changed were i work and its saying military and i reported i was hacked to Facebook by email and the did not do ant thing about it so what do i do

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From Emmanuel Destiny on December 09, 2019 :: 1:16 pm


I can’t log into my fb account. I have done everything including clicking forgot password. What do I do next?
Do I need to create another account?

Reply

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From Fish on December 22, 2019 :: 6:20 am


My account was hacked he/she changed everything my phone number, email,and password

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From Danika on May 06, 2020 :: 2:56 am


I got hacked and I have all my work stuff on there and family I have done everything

Reply

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From Colt on May 10, 2020 :: 10:49 am


I deleted my Facebook account and I would like to retrieve it was permanently deleted is there anyway I can get into it if so you can email me and tell me

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From Josh Kirschner on May 10, 2020 :: 5:08 pm


If you deleted it (as opposed to deactivating it), then there is no way to get that information back.  If you deactivated it, then yes, you can get it back. Read our article on How to Delete your Facebook Account for more information.

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From Christine Schweininger on June 06, 2020 :: 12:11 pm


I was hacked, then shut down permanently by Facebook. However I still receive text messages from that account. I cant find my original Facebook account. So why do I keep getting notifications?

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From Josh Kirschner on June 08, 2020 :: 11:27 pm


Can you confirm what you mean by your account being “shut down”? Did you lose access or was the account deleted? What do the text messages say?

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From Marja Lilly Arline on August 29, 2020 :: 9:01 am


Someone has hacked into my account. I can’t log in and it’s frustrating. I go by Sakura Ishikawa Hawkins on Facebook to keep my real name private. Is there a way to get my account back and protected from idiot scammers?

Reply

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From Vuyyuru Umsmaheswara Rao Vuyyuru on September 04, 2020 :: 8:28 pm


If my fb account is hacked,can i fix it or set right by changing the service provider, by taking sim card?

Reply

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From Josh Kirschner on September 08, 2020 :: 3:41 pm


Your service provider and your SIM card have nothing to do with your Facebook login. You will need to follow the steps in the article above to try to recover your account.

Reply

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From Maria RICHAN on August 22, 2021 :: 1:00 am


For one week I been completing forms sending ID, using codes which do t work and back and forth with passwords.
My account was hacked a Mohammad D lashan, he used my email and mobile number
I removed my account completely
Could somebody please help me this is extremely frustrating not having access to Facebook or messenger.
I need to recover my account

Reply

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From Jessica Rollins on September 11, 2020 :: 9:05 pm


I have lost access to my gmail account that is associated with my fb account. I have attempted the trusted contacts route. I have contacted all three contacts, gotten the codes, and even received the message that my identity had been verified and that I should get an email to continue the fb recovery process. However… I NEVER GET THAT EMAIL. Why? Please help

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From Alex on November 22, 2020 :: 9:49 am


I can not access my email, I have a new phone number & do not know my Facebook password. I have tried everything on the FB website and it all dead ends. I need access to my account or to request it be deleted for good. My friends have tried reporting my account as hacked as well and nothing ever happens.

Reply

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From Josh Kirschner on November 27, 2020 :: 5:56 pm


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From Pamela on November 26, 2020 :: 3:50 am


I was hacked on Facebook. The code to recover the password can only go the hacker. I had my friend search me and she can’t find me. My comments are deleted from posts I’ve made on friends posts. I’ve been trying to get this worked out with Facebook. So far no luck. Not sure if my profile was deleted or what. I don’t know what to do next.

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From Josh Kirschner on November 27, 2020 :: 5:58 pm


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From Nidhi on December 22, 2020 :: 2:18 am


I have created a new account but not entered email ID and my phone num is wrong in my account, then I have a close may account and I don’t remember my password so now me can’t open my account plz tell me how to open or how to delete without sing in.

Reply

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From Josh Kirschner on December 22, 2020 :: 2:15 pm


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From Nwaoha Vivian on January 09, 2021 :: 6:38 am


My Facebook account was hacked…. this the name of the old facebook account that was hacked…. Nwaoha Vivian.

Reply

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From Mahmoud on March 23, 2021 :: 5:59 am


Hey my Facebook account have been hacked i need help i cant get in even my gmail icloud instgram have been hacked i need help they change everything my phone number that i connected to the facebook and my email help me please

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From Richard on May 23, 2021 :: 5:53 pm


My account was hacked and I saw the emails a week later that someone with a New York IP Address changed my password. I tried logging into my FB but it said my email address is not linked to any account. So, my email was changed, my phone number was changed and it seems all hopeless. All the options on FB that suppose to help me to recover the account don’t work. Cause it doesn’t pick up the email address at all. I asked my friends to log in to see if they can still see my profile from chats we had and all my messages are saying “Message Unavailable”. And when they try to click on my profile from the chat they see “This Content Isn’t Available Right Now”. So, I don’t know if you can help but I’d really love it if you could. Cause it seems like nothing works and FB isn’t being of much help.

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From Lucky Singh Bhatti on July 19, 2021 :: 10:19 am


The link you sent to unlock the accountis
not working not accessing ‘something went
wrong” (password is not working also)means
nothing is happening please. do give me another
link or option again so that i can unlock my
facebook account. This is my personal account
and i have submitted my government issued id
which is absolutely correct.Along with screenshot
of whatever problem happened again i have sent
my id to you please solve this problem as soon as
possible.
Thank you for response.

Reply

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From Iyede Victor on September 26, 2021 :: 8:16 am


I am Iyede Victor from Nigeria. My wife Facebook account without username Rita R. Victor (http://www.facebook.com/rytavyctor) was hacked on 23rd November,2021. I have reported to Facebook team and uploaded required but to no effect.Hackers are still using the account to scam and making friend request. Please help me reset or delete the account. Reset password can be sent to [personal information removed]
Thanks

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From Suprina Marshall on January 02, 2022 :: 6:47 pm


My account was hacked , he changed my password, email and phone number as well as created another account which is basically a blank profile. I have done everything that was requested of me and it ask me to generate a code and I get nothing. I’ve tried so many times and I’m extremely frustrated. I have a lot of memories of my daughter saved there and can’t get access. I’ve tried calling Facebook and no one is available to answer the phone there either. Please help!

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From Mehbub sheferaw on December 20, 2022 :: 10:55 am


My facebook account lost my mobile number and I can’t open my email I know my old password how can I open it

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From Raechele Lisa Wilson-Doran on June 30, 2023 :: 4:14 pm


My account had 2 factor authentication. I was notified that the email and password were being changed and immediately said no. It still went through and I couldn’t get in with the new email. They had removed my name, phone number, and eemail. I tried contacting Facebook, but they said my account was suspended due to violation of community standards. I have tried all sorts of ways to contact Facebook but get no reply.  Do you have suggestions? Not only did I lose my account, but I’m locked out of everything that I made the mistake of using Facebook as my login, which is quite a lot. I desperately need it back. What can I do?

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From Josh Kirschner on July 02, 2023 :: 2:32 pm


I’m not sure how they were able to get around your 2FA unless your 2FA method was also compromised. But once it’s done, all you can is contact Facebook through their standard account recovery process: https://www.facebook.com/help/203305893040179. They can be very slow to respond, or may not respond at all, but there is not much else you can do.

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From Jean on July 06, 2023 :: 8:11 am


There is no helpful solution to recovering your account if the hacker/scammer has changed your email and phone number that FB associates with your account. Very frustrating. All the reports and attempted contact to FB go unresolved because the scammer changed all the information FB uses. So all “help” simply goes to him or her. FB does not actually read your reports and we’ve lost the accounot

Reply

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