Is Your Facebook Account Next? The Rising Tide of Hacks and How to Fight Back
It starts subtly. An unfamiliar login alert. A password that suddenly doesn’t work. A friend asking about a post you didn’t make. These seemingly minor glitches are often the first signs your Facebook account has been compromised. And increasingly, these aren’t isolated incidents – account takeovers are on the rise, impacting individuals and businesses alike.
The stakes are higher than ever. Hackers aren’t just after personal information anymore. They’re leveraging compromised accounts to spread misinformation, run fraudulent ads, and even lock legitimate owners out of their own pages. According to a recent report by Statista, reported Facebook hacking incidents increased by 18% in the last year, with small businesses being disproportionately affected.
Recognizing the Warning Signs: Is Someone Else in Your Account?
Often, a Facebook hack doesn’t announce itself with a dramatic takeover. It begins with small, almost imperceptible changes. Knowing what to look for is crucial.
- Unrecognized Login Alerts: Notifications about new devices, locations, or verification codes you didn’t request.
- Unexpected Posts or Messages: Spam, strange direct messages, or comments that don’t reflect your voice.
- Account Details Changes: Your password, email address, phone number, or two-factor authentication settings have been altered without your knowledge.
- Page Access Modifications: New administrators added, your role changed, or unfamiliar business partners connected.
- Suspicious Ad Activity or Billing: Ads running that you didn’t create, new payment methods added, or unexplained charges.
If you notice any of these, assume your account has been compromised and act immediately.
Taking Back Control: A Step-by-Step Guide to Facebook Account Recovery
Don’t panic. A systematic approach can facilitate you regain control of your account and minimize the damage.
| Step | What to Do | Where to Go |
| 1. Secure Your Personal Account First | Log out of all active sessions, change your password to a strong, unique one, and enable two-factor authentication. A compromised personal profile can easily lead to a compromised page. | Settings → Password & Security |
| 2. Check Page Access | Navigate to your page and see if you can still access the settings. If you have partial access, act quickly – hackers often remove legitimate admins swiftly. | Your Facebook Page → Settings |
| 3. Review Page Roles | Examine the list of administrators. Remove any unfamiliar accounts or those with “Full Control” permissions immediately, if you still have the authority. | Page Settings → Page Roles |
| 4. Audit Meta Business Suite Permissions | Hackers can gain access through Business Manager, bypassing page roles. Verify who has access to your business assets and page. | Meta Business Suite → Settings → Business Settings → Users |
| 5. Remove Suspicious Partners | If you see unknown Business Manager or partner accounts connected, disconnect them. They can maintain access even after password changes. | Business Settings → Partners |
| 6. Investigate Ad Accounts & Campaigns | Check for unauthorized ads running. Pause any suspicious campaigns and remove unknown users linked to ad access. | Business Settings → Ad Accounts |
| 7. Examine Payment Methods | Look for unfamiliar credit cards or PayPal accounts. Contact your payment provider immediately if you find fraudulent charges. | Business Settings → Payments/Billing |
| 8. Initiate a Page Admin Dispute (If Locked Out) | If you’ve been removed as an admin, submit a dispute through Meta’s Business Help Center and begin the recovery process. | Meta Business Help Center → Page Admin Dispute |
| 9. Gather Proof of Ownership | Collect documentation like business licenses, domain verification records, screenshots of previous page access, and ad account billing history. | Business Documents + Screenshots + Domain Records |
| 10. Fortify Page Security Post-Recovery | Remove unauthorized admins, restrict admin permissions, enforce two-factor authentication for all admins, and limit who can manage ads. | Page Settings + Meta Business Suite |
Beyond Recovery: Proactive Steps to Secure Your Facebook Presence
Regaining control is only half the battle. Preventing future attacks is paramount.
- Enable Login Alerts: Facebook can notify you whenever a new device connects. Go to: Settings → Password & Security → Unrecognized Logins and activate alerts for both email and notifications.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Hackers often exploit reused passwords from previous data breaches. A password manager like LastPass or 1Password can generate and store secure passwords.
- Revoke Third-Party App Access: Regularly audit and remove apps you no longer use. Go to: Settings → Apps and Websites.
- Keep Your Mobile Device and Facebook App Updated: Security updates are critical. Outdated apps are vulnerable to known exploits.
- Beware of Phishing Scams: Be wary of messages claiming copyright violations, verification requests, or threats to delete your page. Always access Facebook directly and verify information through official channels.
Did you know? Two-factor authentication can reduce the risk of a hack by over 90%!
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: How do I log out of Facebook on all devices? | A: Go to Settings → Password & Security → Where You’re Logged In and select “Log Out of All Sessions.” Then, change your password and enable two-factor authentication. |
| Q: What if my email and phone number have been changed? | A: Start the account recovery process through “Forgot Password?” and look for the option “No longer have access to these?” If you still have access to your original email inbox, check for Facebook security alerts and use the “Not Me” link to revert the changes. |
| Q: How do I remove an admin from my Facebook page? | A: If you still have admin access, go to Page Settings → Page Roles and remove the person. If you’ve been removed, you may need to file a page admin dispute through Meta’s Business Help Center. |
| Q: What if someone is running ads from my page? | A: Go to Meta Business Suite → Business Settings → Ad Accounts and pause all campaigns immediately. Remove unknown users and review billing settings for unauthorized charges. |
| Q: Are authentication apps more secure than SMS codes? | A: Yes. Authentication apps (and hardware security keys) are generally more secure than SMS given that they are less susceptible to SIM swapping or text message interception. |
| Q: Should I notify my followers? | A: If spam was posted, direct messages were sent, or suspicious links were promoted, yes. A brief message warning followers not to click links or respond to messages can prevent them from becoming victims of a scam. |
Don’t let a Facebook hack derail your online presence. By staying vigilant, taking proactive security measures, and knowing how to respond quickly, you can protect your account, your reputation, and your business.
Pro Tip: Regularly review your Facebook permissions and settings. A few minutes of preventative maintenance can save you hours of recovery work.
Have you experienced a Facebook hack? Share your story and any lessons learned in the comments below!
