Do I need to do anything if my Facebook has been hacked?

Having your Facebook account hacked can be a scary and frustrating experience. Your private information may have been accessed, your friends and family contacted, and your profile used to distribute spam or scams. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to secure your account and reduce any potential damage.

How do I know if my Facebook account has been hacked?

There are several signs that may indicate your Facebook account has been compromised:

You cannot log in to your account due to changed password or login information

Your profile information like name, photo, bio have been altered
You see posts or messages on your timeline that you did not create
Your friends report receiving strange messages, posts, or friend requests from you

Facebook informs you via email that settings or your login information has been changed

If you notice any of these issues, your account may be hacked. Take action right away to secure it.

What should I do if my Facebook account is hacked?

Here are the steps to take if you believe your Facebook account has been compromised:

Log out of Facebook on all devices. This ensures the hacker can no longer access your account.
Change your Facebook password. Select a strong, unique password to prevent further unauthorized access.
Revoke any suspicious sessions. In Settings, go to Security and Login to see active sessions. Revoke sessions from any unknown devices or browsers.

Review privacy and security settings. Check that your privacy, login approvals, trusted contacts and other security settings meet your preferences.
Enable two-factor authentication. For extra security, enable two-factor to require a code when logging in from new devices.
Check linked accounts. Ensure any linked accounts like Instagram or Spotify have not been compromised.

Scan devices for malware. A hacker could have installed spyware or keylogger software to steal your new password. Scan all systems.

How can I further secure and monitor my Facebook account?

After addressing the hack, take measures to improve long-term Facebook security:

Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords.

Limit the personal information and photos shared publicly on your profile.
Be cautious of suspicious links, attachments and friend requests.
Enable login alerts and notifications to monitor unauthorized access attempts.

Frequently review your privacy and security settings, make any needed adjustments.
Monitor your activity log and be alert to posts you did not create.

Should I let my Facebook friends know about the hack?

It’s a good idea to alert your Facebook friends that your account was compromised. Let them know to be wary of any unusual messages or friend requests from your account. Ask them to report anything suspicious. This can help prevent the hacker from using your account to access more of your network.

Should I report the Facebook hack to the authorities?

If you believe the hack was part of a crime like identity theft or extortion, you may want to file a report with the police. Facebook may also work with law enforcement in criminal hacking cases. However, if it appears to be a standard account compromise, reporting to Facebook and securing your account should resolve the issue.

How can I delete or deactivate my Facebook account after it has been hacked?

If you wish to delete or deactivate your Facebook account following a hack, take these steps:

Go to Settings and select Your Facebook Information.
Choose Deactivation and Deletion.
Select Delete Account, enter your password and click Continue.

Select an option for data deletion and account removal.

Keep in mind Facebook takes up to 90 days to fully delete an account. You can also choose temporary deactivation instead of permanent deletion.

Should I make a new Facebook account after being hacked?

Making a new Facebook account is an option if you feel your current account cannot be secured, or you wish to start fresh after a hack. Here are a few factors to consider:

You will not retain your profile information, photos or posts from your prior account
Reconnecting with your full friend network will require sending new friend requests
Any linked accounts or Facebook integrations will need to be set up again

Ensure you use completely new login credentials for your new account

Overall, this should only be done if you determine your original account cannot be safely recovered and secured after a compromise.

What can I do if Facebook is unresponsive or unable to help?

If Facebook’s account recovery options are unsuccessful at regaining access to your hacked account, here are some additional steps to take:

Keep trying Facebook Help Center resources or submitting bug reports
Contact Facebook support via live chat or their contact form
Reach out to Facebook on Twitter for a faster public response

Submit a complaint to the Better Business Bureau to get Facebook’s attention
Consult a lawyer to send Facebook legal notice demanding account access

Continued pressure via Facebook’s public channels often results in them further investigating tough cases. Be persistent until your issue is fully resolved.

Conclusion

Having your Facebook account hacked can be stressful, but taking quick action to secure it can prevent further misuse. Be sure to change your password, review account settings, enable two-factor authentication and monitor for suspicious activity going forward. Alert your friends, report to Facebook and authorities if appropriate and consider deleting your account if you feel it cannot be recovered safely. With vigilance and care, you can protect yourself and your information after a Facebook hack.