How to Report a Hacked Facebook Account?

Discovering that your Facebook account has been hacked can trigger immediate panic and concern. A compromised account means unauthorized access, potentially leading to misused personal information, spamming your friends, or even identity theft. Acting swiftly and methodically is paramount to minimizing damage and reclaiming your digital space. This guide outlines the essential steps to report a hacked Facebook account and bolster its security.

The first crucial step is to confirm the compromise. You might notice unusual activity like posts you didn't create, messages sent from your account, new friend requests, or unfamiliar logins in your activity log. Perhaps the most alarming sign is being completely locked out because your password, email, or phone number has been changed. If you can still log in, immediately go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Password and security > Where you're logged in. Review all active sessions and Log Out of All Sessions that you don't recognize. This will immediately kick out the hacker from any active sessions they might have.

Regardless of whether you can log in or not, the critical next action is to report the compromise directly to Facebook. Do not attempt to create a new account or try to contact Facebook through general help forums for this specific issue. Navigate your browser to the dedicated Facebook page for hacked accounts: facebook.com/hacked. On this page, click on the "My Account Is Compromised" button. Facebook understands that your login credentials may have been changed, so it will prompt you to enter an email address or phone number associated with your account – this can be an old one if your current contact details have been altered by the hacker. This helps Facebook identify your account, even if it's been heavily modified.

Once your account is identified, Facebook will guide you through a recovery process to verify your identity. This is a security measure to ensure you are the legitimate owner. You might be asked to provide a recent or old password you remember, answer security questions, or identify photos of your friends. If these methods are insufficient, particularly if the hacker has changed all your recovery information, Facebook may request you to upload a clear, government-issued photo ID (like a passport or driver's license). This identity verification can take some time for Facebook to review, but it's often the most reliable pathway to regain access when traditional methods fail. Ensure the name and birth date on your ID match your Facebook profile as closely as possible to expedite the review process.

After successfully regaining access to your account, the immediate priority shifts to securing it thoroughly. The very first action upon logging in should be to change your password. Create a strong, unique password that you do not use for any other online service. A robust password should be long (at least 12-16 characters), incorporate a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and be difficult to guess. Immediately following this, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) if it isn't already active. This adds a crucial layer of security by requiring a unique code, usually from an authenticator app or an SMS to your phone, every time there's a login from an unrecognized device or browser. This significantly enhances your account's resistance to future unauthorized access.

Finally, undertake a comprehensive security audit and inform your network. Revisit Settings & Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites and remove any suspicious or unfamiliar applications that have access to your Facebook account. Hackers often install malicious apps to maintain a foothold. Also, review your entire Activity Log for any unauthorized posts, comments, or actions the hacker might have taken and delete them to clean up your profile. Importantly, inform your friends and family (via Facebook if possible, or alternative communication) that your account was compromised and to disregard any suspicious messages or links they may have received from you. If you reused the Facebook password on other platforms (e.g., email, banking), change those passwords immediately. Proactive communication and vigilance are key to mitigating the broader impact of a hacked account and protecting your entire digital footprint.

How to Report a Hacked Facebook Account?