My Facebook Account Is Hacked

By DialHelpUSA Editorial Team · 600-word guide

✓ Verified April 30, 2026 📚 Facebook Guide ⏱ 600-word read Reviewed by editorial team
In a hurry? If you can't sign in to Facebook, your password suddenly doesn't work, or friends say they're getting strange messages from your account, you've probably been hacked. The longer you wait, the more damage the attacker can do - so speed matters. This guide walks through every recovery option Meta offers, in the right order, plus the exact steps to lock down your account afterward.

First 5 Minutes - Try the Hacked Account Recovery Flow

Go directly to facebook.com/hacked. This is Meta's primary recovery tool and the only path that works for most compromise cases. Do not Google "Facebook customer service" and call any number you find - those are scams.

  1. Click My Account Is Compromised.
  2. Enter the email, phone number, or full name on your Facebook account.
  3. Facebook tries to find your account - if it asks for a password, enter the last password you remember (not the one the attacker may have set).
  4. Pick a recovery method: email code, SMS code, trusted contact, or device that's still signed in.
  5. Follow the prompts to verify identity and reset the password.

If Facebook can verify you with any of these methods, recovery takes 5-10 minutes.

If Email and Phone Were Both Changed - Use a Trusted Device

Many attackers immediately change the recovery email and phone number to cut you off. If facebook.com/hacked says it can't reach you that way, look for a device that's still signed in:

From any of those devices, open Facebook, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Password and security > Where you're logged in. Tap Log out of all sessions. The attacker is kicked out instantly. Then immediately change your password.

If You Have No Access to Anything - Identity Verification

Last resort: Facebook can verify your identity with a government photo ID. Visit facebook.com/help/contact/183000765122339 (the "identity confirmation" form).

  1. Upload a clear photo of your ID (driver's license, passport, state ID).
  2. Provide details that match the original account: full name, date of birth, the email address you originally registered with.
  3. Submit. Meta reviews and emails you within 1-3 business days with next steps.

This works for most cases where the attacker has fully locked you out, but only if your real name on Facebook matches your government ID. If you used a pseudonym, recovery is harder - the only path is via a trusted contact you set up earlier.

Step-by-Step Lockdown After Recovery

Once you regain access, do these in order before doing anything else:

  1. Change your password to something not used anywhere else - at least 14 characters with mixed case, numbers, symbols.
  2. Sign out of all sessions: Settings > Password and security > Where you're logged in > Log out of all.
  3. Enable two-factor authentication: Settings > Password and security > Use two-factor authentication. Use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator), not SMS - SIM swaps defeat SMS 2FA.
  4. Set up trusted contacts - 3-5 close friends who can help you recover next time.
  5. Review login alerts: turn on email + push notifications for new sign-ins.
  6. Check "Settings > Apps and websites" for unfamiliar third-party apps - remove anything you don't recognize.
  7. Delete suspicious posts and messages the attacker may have made on your timeline or sent to friends.
  8. Tell your friends: post a message saying your account was hacked, ignore any messages they received from you in the past 24 hours.

If Your Email Account Was Hacked Too - Recover Email First

Many Facebook hacks start with a compromised email. The attacker resets Facebook through email - so unless you secure email first, they'll just hack you again.

Recover email first using:

Only then return to Facebook. Otherwise the attacker walks back in within hours.

Important: Never Pay a "Facebook Recovery Service"

Google ads and Facebook ads themselves are full of scams claiming to recover hacked accounts for $30-$300. Every single one is a scam. Meta does not authorize any third-party recovery service - the only legitimate path is the official Meta Help Center. If anyone calls, texts, or emails offering recovery for a fee, hang up or delete it.

For more on Meta's official channels, see our Facebook Customer Service guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

5-10 minutes if you can verify with email or phone, 1-3 business days if you need ID verification. If neither works, recovery becomes much harder - that's why setting up trusted contacts in advance is critical.

No. Meta does not have a customer-service phone line for personal accounts. The corporate switchboard at 1-650-543-4800 cannot help. Anyone offering "Facebook phone support" is a scammer.

No - hacked accounts are recoverable as long as you act quickly and verify identity. Facebook only permanently deletes accounts that violate Community Standards or sit unused for years.

Signs: password no longer works, friends mention odd messages from you, posts you didn't make appear on your timeline, login alerts from unknown locations, recovery email or phone number changed without your action.

Yes if money was stolen, identity theft is involved, or the attacker is using your account to scam others. File at ic3.gov (FBI) and your local police. Most cases without financial loss don't reach police priority but a report still helps.

People Also Ask

Other questions our readers commonly ask about this topic:

Is calling Facebook customer service free?

Yes - Facebook customer service is reachable on a toll-free U.S. number that does not charge a per-minute fee. Standard mobile-carrier minutes may apply on metered cellular plans. International callers may pay long-distance charges depending on country and carrier. Visit our Facebook contact page for current toll-free numbers and hours.

How long does it usually take Facebook to resolve an issue like this?

Simple problems (account access, password resets, basic billing questions) typically resolve in a single 10-15 minute call. Complex issues (refund disputes, identity verification, escalated complaints) usually take 3-7 business days because they need supervisor review or document submission. If your case has stalled past 7 business days, escalate to a supervisor or the executive customer service team.

What if Facebook customer service refuses to help me?

First, politely ask to escalate to a supervisor or to the executive customer service team. Most brands have an internal "office of the president" that handles complex complaints. If escalation does not resolve it, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), your state Attorney General consumer-protection portal, and - for finance, telecom, or airline issues - the relevant federal agency (CFPB, FCC, or DOT). Our Facebook customer service guide lists the alternate channels.

Need to call directly? Visit our verified Facebook Customer Service - Official Help Center & Account Support page for the official customer service number, hours, and additional contact methods.

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