There are a few reasons why Facebook may show that your phone number is associated with another person’s account:
You have the same phone number as someone else
The most common reason is that you share a phone number with another Facebook user. When someone adds a phone number to their Facebook account, Facebook saves that information and links it to their profile.
So if you get a new phone number that was previously used by someone else on Facebook, the platform may still have that number on file and associate it with the other person. This is especially likely if you got a recycled number that was inactive for a while before being assigned to you.
You used the number briefly on another account
Another possibility is that you may have once added your phone number to another Facebook account, perhaps to sign up briefly before deactivating that account.
Even if you only used the number for a short time on the other profile, Facebook still stores that association. So now when you try to add it to your main account, it thinks the number belongs to your old profile.
Someone else accidentally used your number
In some cases, another Facebook user may have mistakenly entered your number when setting up their account. This links your phone number to their profile instead of yours.
They may have switched a digit by accident when adding their contact information, resulting in your number being saved for their account.
Your number was fake or spoofed
Scammers or spammers may intentionally add your phone number to a fake Facebook account in order to appear more legitimate.
By spoofing your number, they can make their account seem real when added to a profile. This results in Facebook connecting your number to their fraudulent account.
Your phone number is associated with a business account
If you use your personal cell phone number for a business Facebook page, it may become linked to that company account rather than your individual profile.
So Facebook recognizes the number as belonging to that organization, not you, even if you want to add it to your regular non-business account.
How to Remove the Wrong Number Association
If Facebook believes your phone number belongs to someone else, here are some steps you can take to try to fix the issue:
Adjust your privacy settings
Go to your Facebook profile and adjust your privacy settings for phone numbers:
1. Click on the arrow in the top right and choose “Settings & Privacy”
2. Click “Settings” and go to the “Privacy” section
3. Under “How people find and contact you,” click “Edit” next to “Who can see your phone numbers?”
4. Select “Friends” or stricter so only certain people can view your number
This prevents your full phone number from being visible to others who may try to misuse it.
Remove the number then add it again
Delete your phone number completely from your Facebook account. Wait a few days, then add it back and verify it through SMS confirmation.
Sometimes this essentially “resets” the number association so it properly links to your account when added again.
Report the issue
Use Facebook’s self-service tools to try to correct the problem:
1. Go to facebook.com/help/contact/179049432194862 and click “My Account Was Hacked”
2. Click “No” for having access to your account
3. Enter your full phone number and click “This number is linked to another account”
4. Follow the steps to confirm your identity and describe the issue
Facebook support can then investigate and correct the account linking your number incorrectly.
Create a support ticket
If self-help doesn’t work, submit a bug report detailing the problem:
1. Go to facebook.com/help/contact/1694868471024746
2. Click “Report a Problem”
3. Select “Login and account access”
4. Choose “Wrong account associated with my phone number”
5. Carefully verify your number belongs to you and describe the issue
This allows Facebook’s account team to look into and fix the incorrect linkage manually.
Preventing Misconnections in the Future
To avoid your phone number getting linked to the wrong account again, keep these tips in mind:
Avoid using temporary numbers
Don’t use temporary second lines or virtual numbers for SMS verification when setting up your Facebook account. These numbers can easily be recycled, resulting in future conflicts.
Verify it’s you when adding your number
Whenever you add your phone to a new Facebook profile, choose “Text me a code” for verification. Entering the sent code ensures it’s definitely you adding the number.
Adjust your privacy settings
Restrict your phone number visibility in your Facebook privacy settings. Set it to “Friends only” or stricter so random users can’t access it.
Remove contacts you don’t know
Check your account’s contact list and remove any unknown numbers. This prevents people from accidentally selecting your number when setting up their own profile.
Report suspicious activity
If you notice your number seem to be used elsewhere, report it to Facebook right away before it becomes permanently linked.
Why Facebook Links Phone Numbers
Facebook requests and stores phone numbers for a few key reasons:
Account security
– Having a verified mobile number helps protect your account in case your password is forgotten. Facebook can use your number to help verify your identity and assist with resetting your login credentials.
Finding friends and family
– By using your phone’s contact list, Facebook can match you up with people you may know like friends or family members. This is to help expand your network on the platform.
Targeted advertising
– Collecting mobile numbers allows Facebook to tailor ads based on your inferred demographics and interests. Advertisers can target users more precisely based on associated phone data.
Account integrity
– Verified mobile numbers help Facebook confirm accounts are legitimate and avoid spam or fraudulent activity. This improves security and integrity across the platform.
Two-factor authentication
– Users can opt to have login codes sent to their phone number as a second layer of account security beyond just a password. This two-factor authentication prevents unauthorized logins.
Key Takeaways
– Facebook may link your phone number to another account if it was previously registered elsewhere, entered in error, spoofed by a spammer, or used for a business profile.
– To fix it, adjust your privacy settings, remove then re-add your number, report it through Facebook’s support tools, or submit a detailed bug report.
– Prevent future misconnections by not using temporary numbers, verifying your number with SMS codes, limiting visibility, and reporting suspicious behavior.
– Facebook requests mobile numbers to help with account security, friend recommendations, targeted advertising, integrity monitoring, and optional two-factor authentication.
Conclusion
Having Facebook associate your phone number with the wrong account can be frustrating. But in most cases, it simply indicates your number was previously registered elsewhere on the platform. While you can’t always prevent it from happening, you can use Facebook’s privacy controls and reporting tools to correct the linkage. With some diligence, you can remove the incorrect association and reclaim your number for the right account.