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How to Tell if your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked

by on November 07, 2018
in Facebook, Computers and Software, Computer Safety & Support, Tips & How-Tos, Privacy :: 75 comments

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When we talk about your Facebook account being hacked, we mean your individual account has been hacked, not accessed as part of a larger data breach. That means someone has gotten into your account somehow, often by stealing your Facebook password or your email password. Once someone has access to your account, they can view all of your information and even lock you out of your own account. Here's how to tell if your account has been compromised.

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 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
  • Seeing posts you didn't make, messages you didn't write, friend requests you didn't send or profile changes you didn't make

But even if you haven't seen one of these warning signs, you can check who's logged on to your account by accessing your Facebook privacy settings page and by following these steps:

  1. Click the arrow up the upper-right of your Facebook page
  2. Select Settings from the menu
  3. Click Security and Login in on the left-hand side of your screen

Check Facebook log in locations

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 Not You? In the drop-down menu to the right of the login information.

Secure your Facebook account from hackers

While logging 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 Security and Login settings by clicking Settings then Security and Login from the Facebook menu. Start by taking these steps:

1. Change your password

Reset Facebook password

Click Edit next to "Change password," then enter 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

Click Edit next to "Use two-factor authentication," then select the type of authentication you'd like to use. Two-factor authentication will send you a security code by text message or two an authentication app when you log on. You'll have to enter this code as well as your password to log on. This means even if a hacker gets your password, they can't get into your account.

3. Set up alerts for unrecognized logins

Click Edit next to "Get alerts about unrecognized logins," then select whether you'd like to be notified by email, Facebook message, Facebook notification or all three. 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 your the mailbox 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 if possible.

With these changes, any hackers should be 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 the address associated with your Facebook account (or other options if they're available to you). From there, follow Facebook's instructions.

Forgot Facebook password

If you no longer have access to that email account, there are a few more hurdles to jump through. Click "No longer have access to these?" and enter a valid email address for Facebook to contact you on. They'll verify your identity and give you instructions on how to recover your account from there. 

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: social media account hacking concept via BigStockPhoto]


Discussion loading

Hacked

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.

Reply

Did you try this?

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

Reply

We forgot the password of this Facebook

From kcha.qzlul.3 on December 06, 2020 :: 4:09 pm

We forgot the password of this Facebook

Reply

I can't open my account

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

Here's how to delete your Facebook account

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

Reply

My Facebook account was hacked....

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

Fb tram plase help me

From Aditya yado on March 07, 2021 :: 1:33 am

Some my id has been hacked

Reply

hi

From Puaj on March 10, 2021 :: 8:58 am

Show it by hacking the Facebook page

Reply

Hacked account

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

Reply

Complain

From Sunday Okoyemola on April 27, 2021 :: 5:56 am

My wife account has been hacked and the hacker is using another name to operate my wife account please I want you to help me out, phone [personal info redacted] ,name Ajayi mercy odunayo Ogidiolu, baker name Carl Walter.

Reply

Account Hacked

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.

Reply

Lucky Singh

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

The link you sent to

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

Are your addressing this to us or Facebook?

From Josh Kirschner on July 22, 2021 :: 10:08 am

If you are asking this question of Facebook, you need to contact them directly. This is an article about how to address the issue, but you can’t get direct support here.

Reply

https://www.facebook.com/raheem.afridi.890

From https://www.facebook.com/raheem.afridi.890 on August 26, 2021 :: 4:44 pm

Reply

viknesh4321

From poovarasan on September 21, 2021 :: 1:30 am

my face book accound hack

Reply

Facebook Hacked

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

Reply

Since I have been a 2 days my account has been hacked from day after yesterday'

From MD SHAH on November 03, 2021 :: 3:36 am

Please recover my I’d as soon as possible it’s have been since 2 days my account has been please get back my I’d.

Reply

Delete all my face of lucky Chikara and lucky hunadi

From Chikara Lucky on December 07, 2021 :: 12:05 pm

Please fele my fold Facebook account that goes by the name of lucky Chikara and lucky hunadi

Reply

Facebook hacked account

From Raheman Tadavi on January 02, 2022 :: 9:47 am

Facebook hacked account recover.my I’d 7972787865.pass.[redacted]

Reply

My fb account was hacked.

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!

Reply

scammers

From dave will on July 09, 2022 :: 3:39 am

Do not contact ACETEAMHACKERS, PRIVATEHACKER247 these is the same person and he is a scammer

Reply

Listen carefully it came to

From Jennifer on October 12, 2022 :: 1:30 am

Listen carefully it came to my discovery that most people commenting hey know he best hacker are fake!!! the only man i endorse for anybody looking for hack service is this Russian man who helped me recover all my hjacked account from scammers though it took me a year to meet him bohdanbohdan93@  mail.ru

Reply

Mehbub sheferaw

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

Reply

how to recover my old faceBook

From ARTURO P CHAVANA on March 17, 2023 :: 4:21 pm

how can inget my old facebook

Reply

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