My Experience Recovering a Hacked Facebook Account
After a harrowing experience with a hacked Facebook account, I finally regained control with the help of Meta verification. Here's how it all went down:
Initial Hack
Last Friday, my Facebook account was compromised by a hacker who changed my email, phone number, and set up 2FA. This left me in a bind, unable to change my password or remove the hacker's information.
Recovery Process
- Meta Verification: I followed the process to have my account Meta-verified. Despite not having access to my password or phone number, I could complete the verification using my legal name, a profile picture, and 2FA. Uploading my license helped verify my identity.
- Contacting Support: After Meta verification, I gained access to live chat and email support. It took approximately three hours from submission to approval.
- Email Correspondence: I exchanged around 20 emails with support, providing details about my account, the hacking incident, and my Instagram account for additional verification.
- Email Address Change: Support instructed me to create a new email address not associated with any Facebook or Instagram account.
- Account Restoration: After about four hours, I received an email confirming that my account had been fixed. The hacker's information was removed, and I was provided with a temporary password to log in.
- Security Enhancements: With access restored, I secured my account by changing the password, adding my phone number, and setting up 2FA with my own number. I also added an authentication app for extra security.
Conclusion
While dealing with the aftermath of a hack was stressful, the $14.95 I paid for Meta verification proved invaluable in recovering years of precious memories stored on my Facebook account. Within 24 hours of starting the verification process, my account was back in my control and secured once again.
Remember, if you find yourself in a similar situation, Meta verification might be the lifeline you need to reclaim your account and peace of mind.
(Last year 2023 Apr)