If you see charges on your credit card statement from Facebook that you did not authorize, you should report them right away both to Facebook and your credit card company. Unauthorized Facebook charges could indicate that your account has been compromised or that someone has gained access to your payment information.
Check Your Facebook Purchase History
The first step is to log into your Facebook account and check your purchase history. You can find this under Settings > Payments. Review any recent purchases to see if there are any you do not recognize or did not authorize. Some common unauthorized Facebook charges include:
- Facebook Credits or coins for games
- Facebook Game subscriptions
- Facebook Marketplace purchases
- Donations made through Facebook
- Facebook ads
If you see any charges you know you did not make, take screenshots as evidence and continue following the steps below.
Report the Charges to Facebook
Facebook has a help page specifically for reporting unauthorized charges at www.facebook.com/help/contact/206169802740186. Here you can request a refund for any unauthorized purchases made through your account. Make sure to provide:
- Your name
- Your email address or phone number used for your Facebook account
- Screenshots showing the unauthorized charges
- Explanation of why you are disputing the charges
Facebook will investigate the charges and typically respond within 2-3 business days. If they find the charges were unauthorized, they will issue a refund.
Dispute the Charges with Your Credit Card Company
In addition to reporting to Facebook, you should also dispute the unauthorized charges with your credit card company. Call the number on the back of your credit card to speak with a representative right away.
Provide the same information you gave Facebook – your account details, description of the unauthorized charges, and any screenshots as proof. The credit card representative can walk you through the formal dispute process. This involves filling out dispute forms and providing a written statement.
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, credit card companies must investigate disputed charges within 90 days. While the investigation is underway, they will issue a temporary credit to your account for the amount of the unauthorized charges so you do not have to pay them during the dispute.
Change Your Facebook Password
Unauthorized Facebook charges likely indicate your account has been compromised. Attackers may have guessed or hacked your password to gain access to your account and payment details. As soon as you report the unauthorized charges, you should also change your Facebook password.
Use a strong, unique password that you do not use on any other sites. Enable two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security. You may also want to update your payment credentials in your Facebook account settings in case the attackers obtained that information.
Check for Keyloggers or Malware on Your Devices
Another way attackers could have obtained your Facebook login and payment details is through malware or keylogging software installed on a device you use to access Facebook. This type of malware records information like your keystrokes and browsing activity and sends it back to the attackers.
After changing your Facebook password, scan all your computers, phones and tablets for malware, using reliable antivirus software. Make sure to also check any recently downloaded apps or files as these can sometimes contain embedded malware. If you discover any suspicious software or activity, remove it immediately.
Enable Login Approvals
Strengthen your Facebook account security by enabling login approvals. This requires you to enter a special login code each time someone tries accessing your Facebook account from a new device. The login code is sent via text message or authentication app to your phone.
With login approvals enabled, attackers will not be able to access your account and make unauthorized purchases, even if they have your password. The extra login code is needed to get in. Turn this on under Settings > Security and Login.
Monitor Your Accounts and Credit Report
Be on high alert for any additional unauthorized charges on your other online accounts over the next few months. Attackers who targeted your Facebook account may also have your login details for other sites. Routinely check your credit card and bank statements for unknown charges. You may want to temporarily lower your credit card limits as a precaution too.
Also pull your free annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at www.annualcreditreport.com. Check for any suspicious accounts or activities. Reporting unauthorized Facebook charges quickly can help limit the damage and prevent identity theft.
Secure Your Account Recovery Options
To fully lock down your Facebook account, check that your account recovery options like your alternate email address and trusted contacts are up-to-date. These are used if you ever get locked out of your account or forget your password. Make sure only you have access to these account recovery options.
You can update and add trusted contacts under Settings > Security and Login. Remove any contacts you no longer trust to prevent them from ever gaining access to your account.
Avoid Being Phished in the Future
Phishing scams impersonating Facebook login pages are very common. Many unauthorized Facebook charges happen after users are tricked into entering their login details on a fake Facebook page. The information goes straight to attackers.
Be wary of any emails that look like they came from Facebook and ask you to login. Especially avoid clicking links – instead manually open Facebook in your browser. Check for the green padlock icon and “https” in the URL to verify you are on the real Facebook site before logging in.
Use Strong Separate Passwords
The best way to prevent unauthorized charges is by keeping your Facebook account secure. Always use a unique, complex password that would be difficult for attackers to guess. Avoid reusing the same password on multiple sites.
Consider using a password manager app to generate and store strong passwords for all your accounts. This will make it much harder for attackers to gain access, reducing the risk of fraudulent charges.
Be Cautious When Entering Payment Info
When purchasing anything through Facebook, carefully double check that you are entering your real payment card details. It is easy to click on a fraudulent ad or page and accidentally enter information into a form run by attackers. This gives them instant access to charge your cards.
Only enter your payment information on trusted pages that are served over “https” connections. Check the URL to verify you are on an authentic Facebook domain. Also look for the green padlock icon.
Monitor Third-Party App Access
Apps connected to your Facebook account may also be able to charge your payment credentials in some cases. Manage what apps have access under Settings > Apps and Websites. Revoke access from any unknown or suspicious apps.
Use Credit Cards Over Debit Cards
When making purchases through Facebook, use a credit card rather than a debit card if you have the choice. Your liability protections are much stronger with credit cards. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, putting your own money immediately at risk if unauthorized charges occur.
Set Facebook Payment Notifications
Turn on purchase notifications in your Facebook account settings. This will alert you via email each time a charge is made through Facebook with your stored payment information. Monitoring these emails lets you quickly identify and report any unauthorized transactions.
Conclusion
Acting quickly is key to limiting the damage from fraudulent Facebook charges. Report unauthorized transactions both to Facebook and your credit card provider right away. Also take steps to secure your account and prevent future attacks. With vigilance and good security habits, you can avoid falling victim to scams impacting your Facebook account payment methods.