Receiving an email from Facebook saying you requested a password reset when you didn’t can be alarming. You may worry that it’s a phishing scam trying to steal your login credentials. But sometimes these emails are legit, sent by Facebook when someone attempts to access your account. So how do you know if a Facebook password reset email is real or fake?
What does a real Facebook password reset email look like?
A legitimate password reset email from Facebook will come from the address [email protected] or [email protected]. The email will address you by your name and say that a request has been made to reset your Facebook password.
The email will have a button or link labeled “Reset Password.” Hovering over the link should show a Facebook URL like facebook.com/resetpassword. The email will also include a support ticket number so you can reference the request if needed.
A real Facebook password reset email will not ask you for any personal information like your password, full credit card number, or social security number. It will only ask you to confirm or deny the reset request.
Signs of a fake Facebook password reset email
Fake reset emails are phishing scams trying to steal your personal information. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Sent from an email address that doesn’t contain @facebookmail.com
- Asks you to click a suspicious link or verify personal details
- Contains spelling, grammatical, or formatting errors
- Requests urgent action threatening account suspension
- Doesn’t provide a support ticket number
- Addresses you generically as “Dear User” instead of your name
Fake emails may copy the Facebook logo and visual styling to appear legit. But inspect the sender address and links carefully before clicking anything.
What to do if you get a suspicious password reset email
If you receive a password reset email that seems fake, suspicious, or you didn’t request, take these steps:
- Do not click any links or provide personal information. The email could be a phishing scam.
- Forward the email to [email protected]. Facebook security reviews suspicious emails reported to this address.
- Log in to Facebook directly through the app or website URL to check your account security settings and active sessions. Make sure there are no unauthorized logins.
- Consider changing your password if you think your account may be compromised. Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Report the email as phishing to your email provider.
How to confirm a legitimate Facebook password reset request
If you receive a Facebook password reset email that appears legitimate and you think someone you know requested it, you can confirm by:
- Checking that the email comes from [email protected] or [email protected].
- Confirming your name is addressed correctly, not as “Dear User.”
- Verifying there is a valid support ticket number.
- Inspecting the links go to facebook.com.
- Logging into Facebook directly without clicking email links to check for unauthorized access attempts under Security Settings.
- Resetting your password and enabling two-factor authentication if access seems legitimate but you want to secure your account.
If everything checks out, you can hit the password reset link knowing it’s a valid request. But if anything seems off, report the email as phishing instead.
Reasons for a valid Facebook password reset request
There are some legitimate reasons why Facebook may send you a password reset email even if you didn’t request one personally:
- You logged in from a new device and Facebook requires confirmation it’s you.
- Someone else has your email and attempted to create a Facebook account.
- A family member accessed your account and triggered a security check.
- You have an old account you forgot about and Facebook flags the login.
These are cases where someone attempted to access your Facebook account, prompting Facebook’s security systems to send a password reset for confirmation. If you determine the reason for the reset request is valid, you can complete it to regain access to your account.
How to prevent fake Facebook password reset emails
You can take these steps to avoid getting tricked by phishing emails pretending to be from Facebook:
- Never click links or enter login credentials from suspicious emails. Always log in directly.
- Use two-factor authentication and a strong, unique password for your Facebook account.
- Be wary of emails from accounts not ending in @facebookmail.com.
- Check for spelling/grammar errors, urgent threats, and requests for personal details.
- Make sure your name is used correctly, not “Dear User.”
- Look for a support ticket number and Facebook URLs on links.
- Hover over links to inspect their actual destination before clicking.
- Forward suspicious emails to Facebook at [email protected] to report them.
Enabling login approvals and using strong passwords make it much harder for scammers to break into your Facebook account, reducing the risk of fake reset emails.
What happens if you click a fake reset link
If you unfortunately click on a link in a phishing email pretending to be from Facebook, here’s what could happen:
- The link could direct you to a fake Facebook login page to steal your username and password.
- It may download malware onto your device for harvesting personal data.
- Any information you enter could be used for identity theft.
- It could access your contacts and send more phishing emails from your account.
If you have provided sensitive information, you should take these steps immediately:
- Change your Facebook password – Use a new, complex password that’s different from other accounts.
- Remove any unauthorized Facebook sessions under Security Settings.
- Scan devices used to access Facebook for malware, viruses, and keylogging software.
- Check accounts linked to Facebook like email, PayPal, etc. for unauthorized access attempts.
- Enable Facebook login approvals for added security.
- Monitor your credit report and bank statements for suspicious activity.
Report any phishing emails or unauthorized account access to Facebook immediately at [email protected]. Acting quickly can help secure your accounts and prevent identity theft.
How to recover your Facebook account after a phishing scam
If a phishing scam gains access to your Facebook account, here are steps to regain control:
- Report unauthorized account access to Facebook. This is crucial so they can lock the account and alert security teams.
- Complete Facebook’s hacked account recovery process. You’ll need to provide proof of identity.
- Remove any login sessions from suspicious locations once you regain access.
- Request a copy of info accessed while hacked from Facebook to see what was compromised.
- Change your password and enable two-factor authentication.
- Scan devices used to access Facebook and remove any malware found.
- Watch for signs of identity theft and alert relevant institutions like your bank.
- Avoid clicking phishing links in the future and use password manager software if needed.
Recovering from a hacked Facebook account takes time but being persistent with Facebook support and securing everything afterwards can help minimize damage.
Protecting your account after a phishing attack
Strengthen Facebook account security by taking these preventative steps after being targeted in a phishing attack:
- Create a strong, unique 15+ character password using a password manager.
- Enable two-factor authentication via SMS or authentication app.
- Remove trusted devices no longer in use under Security Settings.
- Check where you’re logged in and remove suspicious sessions.
- Turn on login approvals to confirm new devices attempting access.
- Be extra cautious of emails, links and attachments going forward.
Proactively protecting your account after being tricked once makes it much less likely scammers will gain access again. Be vigilant and keep your login details secure.
Who to contact for help with a hacked Facebook account
If your Facebook account gets taken over by a phishing scam or hacker, contact Facebook support immediately at facebook.com/hacked. Their security teams are your best resource for regaining access and securing your account.
You can also reach out to the following places for help:
- Local police station – File an identity theft report
- Banks – Report any fraudulent charges or activity
- Credit bureaus – Request fraud alerts and credit freezes
- Facebook Community Help groups – Get advice from other users
- Internet Crime Complaint Center – Report cybercrime to the FBI
Don’t hesitate to involve the authorities if you are the victim of identity theft following a Facebook phishing scam. This can help you recover stolen funds and prevent further damage.
Key takeaways on Facebook password reset emails
Here are the key things to remember about Facebook password reset emails:
- Legitimate reset emails come from @facebookmail.com with your name.
- Phishing emails contain sketchy links, grammar errors, threats and requests for info.
- Never click links or provide details from suspicious emails.
- Use Facebook’s account recovery if you get hacked.
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Report phishing emails and account access immediately.
- Create a strong unique password and remove unauthorized sessions.
Always think twice before clicking links or providing information in emails claiming to be from Facebook. Using vigilance, proper account security, and reporting phishing scams can help keep your Facebook account safe from compromise.
Conclusion
Facebook password reset emails can easily be faked by scammers, so it’s important to carefully validate legitimacy before clicking links or providing information. Telltale signs of phishing emails include odd sender addresses, poor spelling/grammar, urgent threats demanding action, and requests for sensitive personal details. If an email looks suspicious, report it to Facebook immediately at [email protected] rather than clicking anything.
Enabling two-factor authentication and frequently changing strong passwords offers reliable protection against phishing attacks. But even well-secured accounts can be targeted, so it’s wise to remain skeptical of reset emails until you have thoroughly confirmed their authenticity. With vigilance and safe digital habits, you can feel confident recognizing and responding appropriately to both legitimate and fraudulent password reset messages from Facebook or any other service.