It can be frustrating when Facebook asks you to confirm your identity to get back into your account. This usually happens if someone has reported your account as fake or compromised. While it’s an inconvenience, Facebook’s identity confirmation process is in place to protect users’ privacy and security. The good news is that in most cases, you can regain access to your account by providing proof of your identity. Here are some tips on how to get back into your Facebook account when asked to confirm your identity.
Why am I being asked to confirm my identity?
There are a few common reasons why Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity:
- Someone reported your account as fake or compromised.
- Your account shows suspicious activity like an unusual login location.
- You made changes to your name, birthday, profile picture or other account info.
- You created a new account after being previously banned from Facebook.
Facebook has automatic systems in place to detect suspicious activity and fake accounts. So if your account gets flagged, you’ll be prompted to provide proof of your identity before regaining access. This is Facebook’s way of protecting the security and authenticity of accounts on its platform.
What information does Facebook need to verify my identity?
To confirm your identity and regain access to your Facebook account, you’ll need to provide one of the following:
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Confirmation code sent to your mobile phone via text message.
Facebook will specify which exact information is needed when you begin the identity confirmation process. Make sure you have one of these forms of ID ready before starting.
Steps to Confirm Your Identity on Facebook
Here is the step-by-step process to confirm your identity with Facebook:
1. Click “Confirm Your Identity” on the Locked Account Page
When your Facebook account is locked, you’ll see a notification page explaining that your account has been temporarily locked for suspicious activity. On this page, click the “Confirm Your Identity” button to begin the verification process.
2. Select How You Want to Confirm Your Identity
Facebook will give you different options to confirm your identity:
- Submit ID – Upload a photo or scan of your government ID.
- Get Confirmation Code – Have a 6-digit code sent to your phone via text.
- Recognize Friends – Identify friends from a selection of photos.
Select the method you prefer based on the types of ID you have available. Submitting a photo ID is usually the quickest option.
3. Follow the On-Screen Instructions
Carefully follow all on-screen prompts to complete the identity confirmation process. Steps may include:
- Uploading a clearly visible photo or scan of your ID.
- Entering the 6-digit confirmation code sent to your phone.
- Identifying several friends from photo selections.
Take your time and provide accurate responses at each step. If you enter incorrect information too many times, your account may remain locked for a longer period.
4. Wait for Facebook to Review Your Info
Once you submit your identity confirmation information, Facebook will review it to verify your account. This process can take anywhere from a few hours up to several days. Be patient and avoid trying to access your account repeatedly during the review period, as this may prolong the process.
5. Check Your Email for Updates
Facebook will email you updates about the status of your account review. Check your inbox regularly for messages from [email protected]. If there are any other issues with your confirmation, Facebook will explain via email and may require you to provide additional information.
Tips for Confirming Your Identity
Use these tips to ensure the identity confirmation process goes smoothly:
- Make sure your ID photo and info are clear and legible.
- Double check that your mobile number listed on your Facebook account is correct so you receive the confirmation code.
- Use a friend’s phone number if you cannot access texts on your phone.
- If asked to recognize friends, pick profiles of people you know well in real life.
- Be honest if you don’t recognize certain friend photos.
- Check [email protected] inbox for any follow up requests from Facebook.
Submitting blurry or illegible IDs is one of the main reasons the verification process gets delayed. So it’s important to provide a high quality scan or photo of your government ID to avoid complications.
What to Do If You Can’t Confirm Your Identity
In some cases, you may not have the required forms of ID to confirm your identity on Facebook. Here are some things you can try:
- Submit alternative ID such as a birth certificate, insurance card, or library card.
- Use a parent’s or spouse’s ID if you share the same name and address.
- Explain why you cannot provide the required ID in the Comments to Facebook section.
- Access your account from the location where it was originally created.
- Try going through the automated identity confirmation process again.
If none of these options work, unfortunately your account may remain locked until you can provide one of Facebook’s required ID documents. But you can keep trying the automated process periodically, as Facebook may unlock your account if it no longer sees suspicious activity.
Avoiding Identity Confirmation in the Future
To avoid undergoing Facebook’s identity confirmation process again in the future:
- Maintain up-to-date personal information on your profile.
- Be cautious when accepting friend requests from people you don’t know.
- Use strong passwords and change them every few months.
- Don’t purchase or sell Facebook accounts.
- Turn on login notifications to monitor account access.
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
Strengthening your account security settings makes suspicious account activity less likely. This can prevent your account from getting reported or flagged for identity confirmation again down the road.
Getting Help with Identity Confirmation
If you encounter issues confirming your identity with the steps provided by Facebook, here are some options to get help:
- Use Facebook’s online form to request a review of your account.
- Visit Facebook’s Help Community and search for related identity confirmation questions.
- Report your problem through the Help Center.
- Submit an appeal if your account remains locked after multiple verification attempts.
Facebook’s support channels can further assist if you’re having trouble successfully confirming your identity through the normal automated process.
Conclusion
Getting locked out of your Facebook account for identity confirmation can be inconvenient, but is usually just a precautionary measure. In most cases, you can regain access by providing proof of your identity through options like submitting your ID or entering a confirmation code sent to your phone. Along with carefully following Facebook’s instructions to verify your identity, you can also strengthen your account security settings and reach out to Facebook support if issues persist. With some patience and the right documentation, you should be able to recover your account access.