Panic. That’s usually the first thing that hits when you realize your password doesn’t work or, worse, when your best friend texts you asking why you’re suddenly selling cheap Ray-Bans or promoting a crypto scam on your timeline. It’s a gut-punch. Honestly, it feels like someone broke into your house and is currently sifting through your private photos while wearing your favorite shirt. If you're currently wondering what to do if your facebook account is hacked, you need to move fast, but you also need to move smart. Most people just start clicking random links in their email, which can actually make things worse if those emails are "spoofed" by the hacker themselves.
The reality of 2026 is that social media accounts are high-value targets. Hackers aren't just looking for your "likes"—they want your linked credit cards, your Business Manager access, and the ability to "social engineer" your family members into sending money.
The Immediate Response: First 60 Seconds
If you still have access to your email account associated with Facebook, check it immediately. Look for a message from security@facebookmail.com. When a password or email is changed, Facebook sends a notification that includes a link that says Secure your account. Click that. This is the "God Mode" button that can sometimes roll back changes made by an intruder instantly.
But what if they changed your email too?
Then you need to head to facebook.com/hacked. This is the official recovery portal. Don't go searching for "Facebook support phone numbers" on Google. Those are almost always scams. Facebook doesn't have a public customer service line where a human will pick up and help you reset a password. If someone on a random website says they can "get your account back for $50," they are lying. Period.
Why Most People Fail at Recovery
The biggest hurdle is identity verification. If the hacker enabled Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using their device, you've got a mountain to climb. You’ll likely be asked to upload a photo of your government ID.
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This is where things get tricky. Facebook’s automated systems are looking for a clear, glare-free image of your driver's license or passport. If your name on your ID doesn't match your Facebook name (say you use a nickname or a maiden name), the AI might reject it. It’s frustrating. It’s robotic. But it’s the only way back in.
What to Do If Your Facebook Account Is Hacked and Your Business Is Linked
This is the nightmare scenario. If you run a business page or manage ads, a hacked personal account means the hacker now has your company’s credit card. They will often run "ad sets" for thousands of dollars in minutes.
You must call your bank. Right now.
Don't wait for Facebook to "investigate." Tell your bank your account was compromised and put a stop-payment on any Meta-related charges. Once you regain access, you can sort it out with Meta's Business Support, but your priority is stopping the financial bleed. Hackers love targeting "Ads Manager" because it’s an instant ATM for them. They’ll run ads for "shady" e-commerce sites or malware downloads using your reputation and your money.
Signs Your Account is a Target
Sometimes it's not a total lockout. Sometimes it’s "stealth" hacking. You might notice:
- Strange "Login Alerts" from locations like Lagos, Dubai, or even just a neighboring city you haven't visited.
- Your "Sent" messages in Messenger contain links you didn't send.
- New "friends" appearing in your list that you never accepted.
- Your profile picture changed to something generic.
If you see these, you’re in a race. Go to Settings & Privacy > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In. Log out of every single session except the one you are currently on. Then change your password to something that isn't your dog's name followed by "123."
The "Session Hijacking" Problem
In 2026, we’re seeing a massive rise in "Cookie Stealing" or Session Hijacking. This is why even people with 2FA get hacked. You click a bad link on your computer, a piece of malware steals your "session token," and the hacker can bypass your password and 2FA entirely because the computer thinks they are already you.
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If this happened, changing your password isn't enough. You have to clear your browser cookies and run a deep malware scan (think Malwarebytes or Bitdefender) on your computer. If you don't, the hacker just waits for you to log back in and then "rides" your session again.
Dealing with the "Trust Gap"
Your friends are going to get weird messages. It’s embarrassing. Honestly, the best thing you can do is use another platform—Instagram, X, or even a good old-fashioned text message—to tell your inner circle: "Hey, my Facebook is hacked. Do not click any links I send you, and do not send money."
Communication is your best weapon. Hackers rely on the fact that your Grandma trusts "you" when you message her asking for a verification code she just received.
Advanced Recovery Steps
If the standard /hacked link fails, you might need to try the "Trusted Contacts" route if you set that up years ago (though Facebook has been phasing this out in favor of ID uploads).
Another trick? Try to access the account from a device you’ve used to log in many times before. Facebook’s security algorithm "trusts" your home Wi-Fi and your specific iPhone or Laptop more than a random device. If you're trying to recover your account from a hotel Wi-Fi, stop. Go home. Use your usual setup.
Why Hackers Want Your Profile
It isn't personal. Usually.
- Data Scraping: They want your email, phone number, and birthday to sell on the dark web.
- Scams: Using your face to sell fake products to your family.
- Political/Social Botnets: Sometimes accounts are stolen just to "like" certain posts to manipulate algorithms.
- Ransom: Occasionally, they'll demand money to give it back. Never pay. They won't give it back anyway.
Preventive Measures for the Future
Once you get back in—and you likely will if you’re persistent—you have to "harden" your digital life. This isn't just about a strong password.
- Use an Authenticator App: SMS-based 2FA is "okay," but "SIM swapping" makes it vulnerable. Use Google Authenticator or Authy.
- Review Third-Party Apps: Go to your Facebook settings and look at "Apps and Websites." Delete everything you don't use. Each one of those is a potential "backdoor" into your data.
- Email Security: Often, a Facebook hack is actually an email hack. If they have your Gmail, they have everything. Use 2FA on your email too.
The Identity Theft Connection
If you had a lot of personal info on your profile—like your home address or photos of your kids—keep a close eye on your credit report for the next six months. Services like AnnualCreditReport.com or Credit Karma can help you spot if someone is trying to open a line of credit using the info they scraped from your "About Me" section.
Summary of Actionable Steps
If you find yourself in the "my facebook account is hacked" boat, do these things in this exact order:
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- Check your email for a "Primary Email Change" notification from Facebook and use the "Secure Account" link.
- Visit facebook.com/hacked and follow the prompts. Be prepared to upload a high-quality photo of your ID.
- Contact your bank if you have any credit cards linked to Meta (Ads, Meta Pay, or game purchases).
- Scan your hardware for malware. A hack often starts on your actual computer or phone, not on Facebook's servers.
- Alert your network. Post on other social media or send texts to prevent your friends from being the next victims.
- Check your "Deleted" folder in your email. Hackers often set up filters to automatically delete emails from Facebook so you don't see the security alerts.
- Update your recovery info. Once back in, ensure the recovery phone number and email are yours and yours alone.
Getting hacked is a massive headache, but it isn't the end of the world. Persistence pays off with the automated recovery systems. Just keep trying the ID upload if it fails the first time—sometimes it takes a few tries for the system to "see" you clearly.