Having your Facebook account hacked and disabled can be extremely frustrating. There are a few key reasons why your account may have been disabled after it was compromised.
Account Security Compromised
The most common reason a hacked Facebook account gets disabled is because the hacker broke Facebook’s rules and terms of service using your profile. They may have sent spam messages, harassed other users, posted inappropriate content, or otherwise misused your account.
Facebook has automated systems in place that detect suspicious activity and deactivate accounts as a security measure. So if the hacker was doing shady things under your identity, Facebook likely disabled your account to prevent further abuse.
Suspicious Login Activity
Facebook also detects when an account has login activity from unknown devices or locations. For example, if you usually log in from the United States, but all of a sudden there are logins from Russia, Facebook will see that as anomalous activity.
The hackers likely logged in from an obscure location. Facebook picked up on the abnormal behavior and disabled your account before more damage could be done.
Reporting from Friends
There’s also a chance your friends noticed odd posts or messages coming from your account after it was hacked. They may have reported your account to Facebook for strange activity coming from your profile.
Facebook takes user reports very seriously. If multiple people reported your account for unusual behavior, Facebook may have automatically disabled your account due to the flags from your friends.
How to Recover a Disabled Facebook Account
If your account has been deactivated by Facebook, here are the steps you need to take to try and recover it:
Request a Review
The first thing you should do is request a review of the deactivation. In your Facebook account, go to the Help Center and find the option to “Submit a Request Regarding My Disabled Account.”
Explain that your account was hacked and disabled without your consent. Provide as many details as possible to show you are the rightful owner of the account.
Verify Your Identity
Facebook will ask you to verify your identity before reviewing the deactivation of your account. This usually involves:
- Submitting a copy of your photo ID
- Providing a code sent to your email or phone number
- Answering security questions about your account activity
Providing this info shows Facebook that you are the legitimate account owner.
Strengthen Your Account Security
Facebook will want to see that you’ve taken steps to secure your account before they consider reactivating it.
Some things you can do include:
- Change your password to something strong and unique
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Remove any unknown linked accounts or devices
- Scan your computer for malware in case of a security breach
This shows Facebook you’ve taken action to prevent your account from being hacked again in the future.
Be Patient
The review process takes some time. It can often take a week or more to get a response from Facebook. Be patient and persistent in following up if you don’t hear back right away.
Best Practices to Avoid Being Hacked
Here are some key tips to boost your Facebook security and avoid being hacked again:
Strong Password
Always use a strong, unique password that would be difficult for hackers to guess. Avoid things like your birthday, pet’s name, or repeating numbers.
You can use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords. This helps you use different passwords across all your accounts.
Two-Factor Authentication
Enable two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA. This adds a second layer of verification to your login, like requiring a code from your phone. 2FA prevents hackers from accessing your account, even if they have your password.
Review Connected Apps
Check your Facebook settings for any connected apps, plugins, or third-party services. Remove anything unfamiliar, as hackers can use apps to compromise accounts. Only keep what you actually use.
Be Wary of Suspicious Links
Exercise caution when clicking links in posts, messages, texts, or emails. Anything unusual or from an unknown sender could potentially be malicious. Hover over links to inspect their actual URLs before clicking.
Monitor Your Activity
Routinely check your Facebook activity log and notifications. Look for any posts, logins or changes you don’t recognize. This allows you to spot hacks early and take swift action.
When to Contact Law Enforcement
If you believe you have been the victim of a hack and identity theft, you may need to get legal authorities involved:
- If personal information like financial accounts was compromised
- To pursue criminal charges against the hacker
- As evidence for insurance claims related to the hack
- If accounts other than Facebook were also hacked
- If you are being blackmailed, stalked, or harassed
Police can help track down the perpetrator and hold them legally accountable. Facebook will cooperate with law enforcement investigations related to hacking activity and disabled accounts.
Possible Legal Recourse
You may also have grounds to take legal action if you suffer significant harm from your Facebook account being hacked and deactivated:
Against the Hacker
If you can prove who hacked you, you may sue them for:
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Defamation – If they posted damaging lies about you
- Lost wages – If you lost your job after being hacked
Against Facebook
If Facebook refuses to help restore your account after a hack, you could have a civil case claiming:
- Negligence – Arguing Facebook failed to protect your account
- Breach of contract – Facebook violating their own terms of service
- Loss of irreplaceable data – Photos, messages, and other personal data lost
However, Facebook’s lawyers will argue they fulfilled their duty to secure your account and responded appropriately. Suing social media platforms is challenging.
Can You Sue for Emotional Distress?
Many hacking victims consider suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, you typically have to prove:
- The hacker’s conduct was truly extreme and outrageous.
- The hacker specifically meant to cause you distress.
- You suffered severe emotional trauma from the hacking.
Merely being upset about having your account hacked is unlikely to be considered severe distress in legal terms. Talk to a lawyer, but the emotional distress standard is quite difficult to meet in most states.
Using Legal Action as Leverage
Even if suing isn’t viable, consulting a lawyer and threatening legal action can be helpful. Lawyers can put pressure on Facebook, provide guidance for navigating the recovery process, and compel the company to take your case seriously.
The threat of legal action and bad PR exposure gives you leverage against Facebook. It may motivate them to reactivate your account, provide compensation, or improve security for all users.
Can You Sue Facebook for Negligence?
To successfully sue Facebook for negligence related to hacking, you would need to prove:
- Facebook owed you a duty of care to protect your account
- Facebook breached this duty through carelessness
- You suffered clear damages from this breach
The duty of care element is debatable. Facebook will argue they warn users that hacking is always a risk. Proving actual negligence by Facebook will be challenging without inside technical knowledge.
Even so, consulting an attorney experienced in online liability laws is wise if you face significant hacking damages. They can advise if you may have a case worth pursuing.
Key Takeaways
Here are some important tips to remember if your Facebook account gets disabled after being hacked:
- Request an account review and verify your identity with Facebook right away
- Bolster your account security to prevent future hacking
- Document evidence and consider involving law enforcement
- Consult a lawyer if you have serious losses from the hack
- Legal action can potentially be used as leverage against Facebook
Stay persistent until your account is restored. Enable two-factor authentication to protect yourself in the future. And if you suffered major damages, don’t hesitate to explore your legal options.
Facebook Account Hacking FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Facebook accounts getting hacked and disabled:
Why won’t Facebook help me get my account back?
Facebook is reluctant to reactivate accounts that were clearly compromised or committing violations before being disabled. They have to balance helping users while enforcing their rules. Keep pressing your case and proving you were the victim.
Can I sue if I lost business due to my Facebook being down?
You may potentially have a case if you can quantify specific monetary losses directly tied to your Facebook being deactivated. Talk to an attorney experienced with digital liability laws about the viability of a lawsuit.
How long does it take to recover a hacked Facebook account?
It typically takes 1-2 weeks for Facebook to review a disabled account and render a decision following a hack. The process can sometimes take over a month if Facebook requires extensive verification.
Does disabling a Facebook remove all your data?
No, Facebook keeps your data even if your account is disabled. This allows accounts to be restored intact if the deactivation is reversed. However, if your account remains disabled for an extended period, Facebook may eventually delete it and your data.
Can you have legal recourse against whoever hacked your Facebook?
If you can positively identify the hacker, you may be able to sue them for damages related to emotional distress, lost wages, or other tangible harms from their illegal actions. But finding and proving who hacked you is difficult.
The Bottom Line
Having your Facebook account disabled following a hacking can be immensely troubling. However, by taking the proper steps, providing vigorous documentation, and pursuing all resolutions, you have a good chance of recovering your account and data. Consider legal options if all else fails. Don’t give up, be persistent, and keep pushing Facebook to fix this injustice!