How To Report Being Hacked On Facebook

Have you ever logged into your Facebook account only to find that it had been hacked? If so, you know how frustrating and scary it can be. Your personal information could be at risk, and you may not be able to access your account. But don’t worry, there are steps you can take to report being hacked on Facebook and recover your account.

Immediately change your password and contact Facebook to report the incident. You can do this by clicking on the “Help” link at the bottom of any Facebook page and selecting “Report a Problem.” From there, you will be able to select the option to report that your account has been hacked. Facebook will then ask you to provide some information about the incident, such as when it happened and what changes were made to your account. Once you have submitted your report, Facebook will investigate the incident and take steps to secure your account.

Recognizing Signs of a Hacked Facebook Account

If you suspect your Facebook account may have been hacked, it’s crucial to promptly recognize the signs and take necessary actions to mitigate the damage. Here are some telltale indications that your account may be compromised:

Unauthorized Access:
- You receive notifications of login attempts from unrecognized devices or locations.
- Your password has been changed without your knowledge.
- You find unknown posts, messages, or friend requests in your account activity.
- Your trusted contacts report receiving messages or friend requests from your account without your permission.
Suspicious Activity:
- You notice unfamiliar apps or games connected to your account.
- Your privacy settings have been altered or compromised.
- Your personal information, such as your email address or phone number, has been changed.
- You observe unusual notifications or alerts from Facebook regarding security breaches.
Impersonation and Scam:
- Friends or followers report interactions with imposters using your account.
- You receive requests for sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, supposedly coming from your account.
- Hackers may use your account to spread malware or malicious content.
Other Indicators:
- Your Facebook account has been disabled or locked.
- You experience technical difficulties or irregularities while accessing your account.
- You discover phishing scams targeting your Facebook credentials.

If you encounter any of these signs, it’s imperative to immediately take steps to regain control of your account and protect your personal data.

Gathering Evidence of the Hack

Documenting the hack is crucial for proving its occurrence and assisting Facebook in its investigation. The following steps can aid in evidence gathering:

1. Take Screenshots:**

Capture screenshots of suspicious activities, altered settings, or strange messages to provide visual proof of the hack.

2. Collect Suspicious Activity Logs:**

Go to **Account Settings** > **Security and Login**.
Under **Where You’re Logged In**, click **See More**.
Review the list of login activities and make note of any unrecognized devices or locations. Take screenshots for evidence.

Column 1	Column 2
Login Date	Indicates the date and time of the suspicious login.
Location	Shows the location from where the suspicious login was made.
Device	Displays the type of device used for the suspicious login.
Browser	Shows the browser used for the suspicious login.

3. Check Email Notifications:**

Review your email inbox for notifications from Facebook regarding suspicious activity or password changes. These emails can provide additional details about the hack.

Contacting Facebook Support

If you find your Facebook account has been hacked, you should report it to Facebook support as soon as possible. The steps below will provide guidance on how to contact Facebook Support.

1. Visit the Facebook Help Center

Go to the Facebook Help Center and search for “hacked account”.

2. Select the appropriate option

From the search results, select the option that best describes your situation. For example, “My account was hacked” or “Someone is impersonating me”.

3. Provide your information

You will be asked to provide information such as your name, email address, and a description of what happened. Be as detailed as possible in your description, including:

Details
When you noticed the account was compromised
Any unusual activity you observed
Attempts you’ve made to regain access

You may also be asked to provide proof of identity, such as a government-issued ID or utility bill.

4. Submit your report

Once you have provided all the necessary information, submit your report. Facebook will investigate your case and take appropriate action.

Resetting Your Facebook Password

If you suspect your Facebook account has been hacked, resetting your password is crucial. Here are the steps to reset your password:

Go to the Facebook login page: Click here to go to the Facebook login page.
Click “Forgot password”: Click on the “Forgot password?” link below the login button.
Enter your email or phone number: Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Facebook account.
Choose a recovery method: Facebook will send you a password reset link to your email or a recovery code to your phone. Choose the method you prefer.

Recovery Method	Steps
Email	Click the link in the email to reset your password.
Phone	Enter the recovery code sent to your phone number to reset your password.

Create a new password: Once you have accessed the password reset page, enter a new strong password and click “Continue” to save it.

Log back into Facebook: Use your new password to log back into your Facebook account.

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Facebook account by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when you log in. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.

To enable 2FA, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Facebook account.
2. Click on the triangle in the top right corner of the screen and select “Settings & Privacy.”
3. Click on “Settings.”
4. In the left-hand column, click on “Security and Login.”
5. In the “Two-Factor Authentication” section, click on “Edit.”
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to enable 2FA.

Once you have enabled 2FA, you will be asked to enter a code from your phone whenever you log in to your Facebook account from a new device or browser. This code will be sent to you via SMS or through a third-party authentication app.

Reporting Suspicious Activity to Security Agencies

If you suspect that your Facebook account has been compromised, it’s crucial to report the incident to the relevant security agencies as soon as possible. These agencies can investigate the matter, apprehend the perpetrators, and prevent further harm. Here’s how to report suspicious activity to security agencies:

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Before reporting the incident, gather any evidence that supports your claim. This could include screenshots of suspicious activity, emails from Facebook, or messages from the hacker. This evidence will help the agencies in their investigation.

Step 2: Contact Local Law Enforcement

Reach out to your local police department or sheriff’s office and file a report. Provide them with the evidence you have gathered and explain the situation in detail. They can initiate an investigation and assist in apprehending the hacker.

Step 3: Report to the FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates cybercrime, including Facebook hacking. You can report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) online. Provide the IC3 with the same evidence and details as you did to local law enforcement.

Step 4: Notify the Secret Service

The U.S. Secret Service Investigative Division has jurisdiction over financial crimes involving electronic devices. If your Facebook account was used to access or steal financial information, you can report the incident to the Secret Service.

Step 5: Contact Homeland Security

If you believe the Facebook hacking incident involves a national security threat, you can report it to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS can investigate and take appropriate action.

Step 6: Reporting to Facebook and External Security Services

In addition to reporting the incident to security agencies, it’s also recommended to report it to Facebook directly. They can investigate the incident and take steps to secure your account. Additionally, consider contacting external security services, such as antivirus software providers or a cybersecurity company, for assistance in securing your devices and preventing future attacks.

Agency	Contact Information
Local Police/Sheriff	911 or local phone number
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)	www.ic3.gov
Secret Service Investigative Division	Cybercrime hotline: 1-866-564-7082
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)	Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hotline: 1-888-282-0870

Checking for Compromised Devices

To determine if any of your devices have been compromised, follow these steps:

Review Connected Devices

Log into Facebook and navigate to “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings” > “Security and Login”. Click on “See All Devices”. This will show you a list of all the devices that have accessed your Facebook account recently. Look for any unfamiliar or suspicious devices.
Scan Your Devices

Use an antivirus or anti-malware software to scan your computer, smartphone, and other connected devices. This will help identify any malware or viruses that may have been installed.
Check for Unknown Extensions

For browsers, check for any unknown or suspicious browser extensions. These extensions can sometimes be malicious and give hackers access to your sensitive information.
Monitor Network Activity

Use a network activity monitor to keep track of the traffic on your network. Look for any unusual activity or connections to suspicious IP addresses.
Inspect Recent Logins

Go to “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings” > “Security and Login” and click on “See All Logins”. Here, you can view the time, date, and location of all recent logins. Check for any suspicious or unrecognized logins.
Review App Permissions

Navigate to “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings” > “Apps and Websites”. Here, you can see a list of all the apps and websites that have access to your Facebook account. Remove any that you don’t recognize or trust.
Use Two-Factor Authentication

Enable two-factor authentication for your Facebook account to add an extra layer of security. This will require you to provide a code from your phone or email when logging in, making it harder for hackers to access your account.

Table of Suspicious Device Indicators

Indicator	Description
Unfamiliar device	A device you don’t recognize
Device from an unexpected location	A device accessing your account from a location you’re not visiting
Device with a suspicious application	A device with an unfamiliar or malicious app installed
Device with unusual login patterns	A device that’s been accessing your account at odd hours or from multiple locations

Changing Passwords for Linked Accounts

Once your Facebook account has been hacked, it’s crucial to secure the linked accounts as well. Here’s a detailed guide on how to change passwords for connected accounts:

**Table of Linked Accounts and Recommended Actions:**

Linked Account	Recommended Action
Instagram	Change your Instagram password.
WhatsApp	Disable your WhatsApp account and set up Two-Factor Authentication.
Messenger	Change your Messenger password.
Spotify	Change your Spotify password and disconnect it from Facebook.
Twitter	Change your Twitter password and revoke Facebook’s access.
PayPal	Change your PayPal password and verify no unauthorized transactions have been made.
Google Account	Change your Google password and check for any suspicious activity on your linked accounts.

**Additional Tips:**

If you have multiple email addresses linked to your accounts, be sure to change the passwords for those as well.
Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
Regularly monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity and be vigilant about phishing emails or messages.

Monitoring Your Account for Further Issues

9. Actively Monitor Account Activity

Regularly check your Facebook account for any suspicious activity, such as:

Indicators	Actions
Unrecognized login locations	Review Login History (Menu > Settings > Security and Login)
Unexpected friend requests or messages	Examine Pending Requests and Message History
Posts or shares you didn’t make	Visit Activity Log (Menu > Settings > Activity Log)
Changes to profile information	Compare current settings with previous versions (Menu > Settings > General)
Suspicious app permissions	Review Apps and Websites (Menu > Settings > Apps and Websites)
Changes to payment methods	Check Payment History (Menu > Settings > Payments)
Unusual ads or content	Report suspicious ads or pages to Facebook (Click “Report Ad” or “Report Page”)
Phishing emails claiming to be from Facebook	Forward the email to Facebook (phish@fb.com)

Document any suspicious activity and report it to Facebook immediately. Prompt action can minimize the damage caused by the hack.

Additionally, consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security.

Maintaining Vigilance Against Future Hacks

Taking proactive measures to protect your account from future hacks is crucial. Here are some specific actions you can take:

Action	Description
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)	Add an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your mobile device or email to log in.
Use a Strong Password	Create a password with a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using personal information.
Be Cautious of Suspicious Links and Emails	Do not click on links or open attachments from unknown senders. Hover over them to preview the actual URL first.
Keep Software Up to Date	Install security updates for your browser, operating system, and antivirus software regularly.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi Networks	Public Wi-Fi networks can be unsecure, making them vulnerable to hacking attempts. Use a VPN or cellular data connection instead.
Monitor Account Activity	Regularly review your Facebook account for any unauthorized activity, such as changes to your profile or friend list.
Report Suspicious Activity	If you suspect your account has been hacked, report it to Facebook immediately.
Educate Yourself	Stay informed about the latest hacking techniques and best practices for account security.
Use a Password Manager	Store your passwords securely and avoid reusing them across multiple accounts.
Be Vigilant and Trust Your Instincts	If something seems suspicious, even if it appears to be from a trusted source, report it or err on the side of caution.