How I lost access to messenger and Facebook account due to a security bug
Feb 24, 2019
Hazer Live
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
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Imagine having your Facebook account, messenger, and ads account ripped from your hands due to a Facebook glitch. Horrifying, right? That’s what happened to me.
I’m hoping this can spread enough that the bug may get fixed, so here’s the story.
I go by Hazer Live. Last week I was updating my recovery email and making sure all my backup information was in order on Facebook. This was spurred by Facebook’s own suggestions that this information be updated and/or confirmed. At the end, Facebook prompted me with a security checkpoint to verify my identity. No biggy right? WRONG! In a few clicks, I was cut off from a huge part of my online network. I had no way to save my profile, no way to access my contacts, and no way to contact Facebook about a fix.
I’m sure this would be a better headline if I had lost a massive account, but that’s the problem. I didn’t have millions of followers, I’m just an ordinary Facebook user. I do make a living off the network I had built up there which is why this hurts.
Here’s the frustratingly simple way I lost my maxed out account and all my messages for the last 10 years on Facebook:
It was a run of the mill security check, just select your phone number, they will send a SMS, and boom good to go. I didn’t get the text, so I resent the message. Still no text. At this point, I looked up the issue and found out that I could text Facebook from my phone and activate my text notifications. I thought maybe that would fix it. I sent a message to Facebook from my phone and it gave me a verification link. Wooho! Fixed it… Nope… I went to the link and got text notifications turned on. Thinking this would solve the issue I refreshed my security check, and that’s when disaster struck! The page reloaded but there was no longer a number to select.
My heart sank, In the image, you can see my options. LOG OUT or CONTINUE. If I clicked continue the red error message popped up saying please select a phone number. As you can see there is no number to be selected.
I started to panic a bit. I realized I was still logged into messenger on my phone, so I still had access to my account settings. I even found a way to get into my actual mobile feed though messenger settings. I thought maybe if I deleted my phone number then added it back that would fix it. I got the email that the number was deleted. I got the email that the number was added back. I tried again to log into my account. I was sent to the same broken security checkpoint. I turned on two factor authentication, everything I did kicked me back to the security page. Fast forward a week, and this has happened to me now so many times I’ve lost track. Facebook has never replied and probably never will.
I sent password reset requests thinking maybe that would help, I used my trusted contacts, I tried everything, and I encountered a new error saying “you have requested too many codes try again later”. I gave it a couple days of trying nothing to get that issue reset.
At this point, I was searching everywhere for a fix. I couldn’t find information about my particular bug anywhere. I have lost entire days trying to track down help and solve this issue. The biggest conclusion I have is that my account isn’t actually blocked, banned, or disabled. I’m also not locked out of my account since I can log in. Which sounds like a good thing but I don’t know that it is.
If it was disabled by Facebook, I could start an appeal form (there’s an error message when I try). If I was locked out and couldn’t log in, the recovery methods would have saved me already or I would at least be able to fill out a different form to start the support process. I’ve tried every recovery method. Every single one. I’ve even filled out a couple forms that were grasping at straws at best.
It’s been over a week, and I have tried everything. Nothing has changed good or bad. I’ve started to accept that I lost everything. The first messages with my now fiancee, contacts that took years to pull into one place, and a loyal following of friends and family that were there to help me if I needed a hand moving or working on a project. I’m hoping maybe if this story gets out, this glitch may get fixed. I know it’s a long shot, but I have to try.
About the Author
Hazer Novich (aka Hazer Live) is a commercial and action photographer based in Butte, MT , USA. among his clients are Coca-Cola, ESPN, General Electric, KIA Motors and more. You can see more of his work on his website, and Instagram. I am also linking his Facebook page with the hopes that Facebook come to their sense and help him out.
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
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56 responses to “How I lost access to messenger and Facebook account due to a security bug”
Ács Sándor?
Mystifies me why anyone would subject themselves to the risks associated with having any social media account.
Denided?
Fuck I hate it when I get denided
Expensive lesson learned. Don’t use Facebook to organize, store, manage, or maintain any significant part of your business.
Because when it fails, there’s no phone number, no office, no email, and no chat support to assist. Your concerns and technical lockout problems mean about as much to them as a pile of dogshit.
It’s must be hard for a company that earned over 40 billion in advertising revenue in 2017 to hire a staff to assist their users in cases like these.
Lesson: don’t change anything that isn’t broken…
The same thing has happened to me. NO TEXT MESSAGE With a code!
Surely it’s a wider spread issue…
Have you tried THIS form
https://m.facebook.com/help/contact/283958118330524?show_form=mobile_account_verification&_rdr
Yup. They don’t reply.
Many people are complaining about their account being disabled. I think this must be an Facebook another security bug, my account was also disabled without any reason, since 15 Feb. Their online appeal form is useless…
I checked mine, it says my account was not disabled, apparently I have gotten complain about me spamming.. where I did not , I repeat did not text anyone during the period of time!
Have you had any success since you wrote this? I am having exactly the same issue. No code is sent – and I go around and around with the same screen. My FB clients that I do social posts for are cancelling. No one to talk to at FBook. Please let us know if you ever hear from Facebook.
The same issue with you, any process?
SERIOUSLY, has anyone figured this out yet? Trying to login to business account with two-factor login. FB appears to have my old cell number on file (Lost Forever) to CALL me with the code, and I’m receiving the error message, “You have requested too many text message security codes recently. Please try again later.” I requested a total of 2 codes. TWO! I waited 24 hours before attempting again, still getting the same message. I deleted cookies. Same message. Very frustrating.
The problem with everyone who has this issue is the people who solved it, like the author, don’t come back and explain, nor do they respond to emails. I got a response from a reporter who was in the same situation. She actually replied and said she got her account back by contacting a friend who works at Facebook and they were able to help her. Most of us don’t have that option.
hey Adam! Did you recover your Facebook account?
Nope, but I still get emails every day from Facebook telling me I have messages and so forth. It’s really frustrating. I started using an old account, but it’s not the same. The one that’s locked is the one I’ve had since like 2005 or whenever it was they opened it up to everyone (it used to just be for college students).
Actually I just did a few weeks ago. Here’s my reply from above: Copy/pasted my response from another person I just replied to: Facebook restored my original account. I had pretty much given up till one day I got an email saying it was permanently disabled. It said I could appeal i. I went to the appeal form and it wanted a copy of my driver’s license or other ID. I didn’t want to do that since I’d done that on my backup account to change my name. So I sent a meme about Trump. It was a joke, but a day later they unlocked my account. Maybe since I make fun of him so much they knew it was me? Anyway, I immediately put my phone number back on the account and set up 2FA in the security settings just in case this ever happens again. This all started when my mom’s account got hacked and I clicked on a link she messaged me. I knew it was probably a b.s. link, but I was curious. Looking back, I should’ve copied the link and opened it in a browser not connected to Facebook.
There are no happenchance or chance errors with Facebook. This is DELIBERATE. I texted a senior facebook engineer and he ghosted me. Do not trust facebook.
Happened to me twice, one was yesterday at 1:31 AM, June 28, 2019 (GMT +8) and the other one was this morning at 6:27 AM same time zone.
I was able to recover/retrieve ( or whatever happened) my account thru identification of photos of my friends. Good thing is that almost all my 700 less friends is familiar to me.
Now, I’m struggling to search the net on how it happened because I know that my account was not hacked. I’ve just changed my password 3-4 times, no notification coming from my recovery email saying my primary is compromised. If any of you had the same experience please post it here so we can know what’s your opinion on this. thanks
P.s. I’m living in the Philippines
They had me identify my friends too and it said it worked but then it lead back to the same security checkpoint screen
me too. :((
There’s no number for me to verify so I’m stuck.
The exacty problem happen two times last 2 weeks on me. I’m from Portugal.
Until now my business is dead, and i have no hope to recover this honestly.
I tried every form on facebook, but its also the same sh*t.
I spoke with an agent and certain time told me that she couldnt help anymore…
Maybe if i spent thousands on facebook they helped..
I think it’s a sign businesses can’t trust Facebook far enough to risk losing sales.
Copy/pasted my response from another person I just replied to: Facebook restored my original account. I had pretty much given up till one day I got an email saying it was permanently disabled. It said I could appeal i. I went to the appeal form and it wanted a copy of my driver’s license or other ID. I didn’t want to do that since I’d done that on my backup account to change my name. So I sent a meme about Trump. It was a joke, but a day later they unlocked my account. Maybe since I make fun of him so much they knew it was me? Anyway, I immediately put my phone number back on the account and set up 2FA in the security settings just in case this ever happens again. This all started when my mom’s account got hacked and I clicked on a link she messaged me. I knew it was probably a b.s. link, but I was curious. Looking back, I should’ve copied the link and opened it in a browser not connected to Facebook.
But in your specific case, check your email and spam folders for that email. If you got it maybe you can do the same thing,.
I’ve been dealing with the same issue since 7/3 and I even tried making a new acct and since my old is active and I have the same name and added similar friends and groups (I even used a different number and email) it flagged that account too. I’m so frustrated bc I run a small business and it is literally killing my business not being able to communicate with my customers
I am in the same situation. It is driving me crazy. I have sent my driver’s license twice. It will not verify my number. Or any number for that matter. And my profile doesn’t show up when searched..
Seeing what other people do on their mobile phones is so cool, my
husband doesn’t know I see every text, call, chats he sends or receives.
I even get updates of his location. W I L S O N C Y B E R S E R V I C E @ G M A I L C O M is the real
deal. The benefit far outweighs the cost. Ignorance is not bliss. I have
peace of mind knowing my husband is not cheating
Text him via +1 914 984 3509 ..
I read this elsewhere and it worked for me. uninstall messenger then go to forgot password/can’t log in/facebook and go thru the prompts and I got in! then reinstall messenger and your good to go. you won’t lose anything on messenger.
Wrong. If it’s asking for your phone number already to verify who you are for a security issue, doing that won’t stop that from happening again.
How did you get back in facebook. I happy to see you did after 1 month. I am exerience the same thing :( I am deseperate.
His Facebook page says something to the effect of time, basically, but it would be nice for the people with these issues who get them resolved to post their solutions.
He was so Nice to answer me on Instagram :)
Copy/pasted my response from another person I just replied to: Facebook restored my original account. I had pretty much given up till one day I got an email saying it was permanently disabled. It said I could appeal i. I went to the appeal form and it wanted a copy of my driver’s license or other ID. I didn’t want to do that since I’d done that on my backup account to change my name. So I sent a meme about Trump. It was a joke, but a day later they unlocked my account. Maybe since I make fun of him so much they knew it was me? Anyway, I immediately put my phone number back on the account and set up 2FA in the security settings just in case this ever happens again. This all started when my mom’s account got hacked and I clicked on a link she messaged me. I knew it was probably a b.s. link, but I was curious. Looking back, I should’ve copied the link and opened it in a browser not connected to Facebook.
Same frustrating boat here. I’ll probably just wind up suing FB for every email they send me now that my account’s locked as spam.
Same situation here now. I’ve tried all the same things and no luck. Only been 2 days but this post scares me.
Make sure you download your data. Even locked out at the top of the page there will be a download data link. That file will contain folders with all your pics, contacts, emails, etc so you can at least try to add everyone back to a new account.
Yea I started doing that Wednesday night and it sat for 2 days preparing my files. I gave up closed out and then decided what the heck let me do it one more time and bam it created the files in 5 mins. So at least I got all of that stuff
Yeah, it’s still frustrating to have to start all over again. I’m up to like 700 friends, but I had 4,800. I have to manually go through all of those and re-add them. Most are people I just added because they added me. But having a backup of my emails and groups and all that’s a little better than having lost all that. This guy who wrote this article hasn’t posted his solution, but on his Facebook page he tells someone else that “time” fixed the problem for him without explaining.
Yea I searched the site for a fix explanation but then found where they were using their Facebook page again so I knew they must have gotten in but never said how. Annoyed me. I guess I can try LinkedIn and find Facebook employees
I checked that, too, but so far none responded to me. It’s stunning that Facebook ties everything to the phone number and there’s simply no way to regain access without it being shown. And no way to add it back. I tried a Better Business Bureau complaint and they said I needed to use the help section. Which would be fine if they ever responded to emails, which they don’t. This author is kind of annoying since HE found a solution, but did nothing to help other people in the same boat. That makes me think he just wants attention.
Facebook restored my original account. I had pretty much given up till one day I got an email saying it was permanently disabled. It said I could appeal i. I went to the appeal form and it wanted a copy of my driver’s license or other ID. I didn’t want to do that since I’d done that on my backup account to change my name. So I sent a meme about Trump. It was a joke, but a day later they unlocked my account. Maybe since I make fun of him so much they knew it was me? Anyway, I immediately put my phone number back on the account and set up 2FA in the security settings just in case this ever happens again. This all started when my mom’s account got hacked and I clicked on a link she messaged me. I knew it was probably a b.s. link, but I was curious. Looking back, I should’ve copied the link and opened it in a browser not connected to Facebook.
Wow! Lucky you :). Its now 2 moth Since my account god this stupid login problem. Started with sending me a 5 digid code instead og 6 digid. Next Day the same messanger as this. No number to choose from. Hopless… 2 – 3weeks ago it finally was disabled. No email though Just saying when trying to log in. I have appealed but No luck to far. My Company looses costomers unfortunatly so No more Facebook platform for me. Its Been a nightmare and 1400 costomers thinks i am dead. All the emails, sms etc i have to answers because People are getting worried Since i have vanished from fb.. Arhhhhhmmmm…. I am do fed UP…
Hello! Have the same issue with my old phone number and waiting for their reply for 3 weeks now and there seems to be no solution. For how long have you waited since the problem began? You just got an email because of your inactivity or it was an answer to your appeal? Thank you.
A reporter told me she got in touch with a friend at Facebook and they helped and suggested I do the same. I was thinking “yeah, genius idea, I’d have tried that if I knew anyone who worked there”.
Here’s a reporter who got her account back by talking to her friends at Facebook, something we don’t have https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2018/03/14/facebook-hacked-account-help-center-issues/421914002/
Copy/pasted my response from another person I just replied to: Facebook restored my original account. I had pretty much given up till one day I got an email saying it was permanently disabled. It said I could appeal i. I went to the appeal form and it wanted a copy of my driver’s license or other ID. I didn’t want to do that since I’d done that on my backup account to change my name. So I sent a meme about Trump. It was a joke, but a day later they unlocked my account. Maybe since I make fun of him so much they knew it was me? Anyway, I immediately put my phone number back on the account and set up 2FA in the security settings just in case this ever happens again. This all started when my mom’s account got hacked and I clicked on a link she messaged me. I knew it was probably a b.s. link, but I was curious. Looking back, I should’ve copied the link and opened it in a browser not connected to Facebook.
I still have no idea what the solution was. My snarky attempt at humor with Facebook sending a meme instead of my ID seems to have worked for some unknown reason. My recommendation is to set up a backup account. It’s kind of hard since you now need a cell phone number to do it, although I’ve read you can do it with ID. So maybe use an ID other than what might be linked on your main account. This way if the original ever gets restored there’s no conflicting data. It really sucks how secure Facebook is. They still manage to get hacked all the time and all it does is make life difficult for everyone with everything linked to Facebook. I’m no longer logging in with Facebook on third party sites. If this ever happens again I’ll lose access to them again. Use Google for that instead.
Damn experiencing the same issue I can’t see any option to verify
Any1 got there accounts back those who experienced it recently hoping to find solutions
I am same here, I have no clue what happen to my account! at first it gives me warning to SLOW DOWN.. and I have to find out what it mean.. I have not message anyone from my profile or my ad profile. I dont know if someone had spam or hack into my account, there are no way to find anyone in FB to talk to.
Same problem with me. I have no clue what had happened
believe i am going through very same but a little more extreme “GLITCH”. I was starting a online poverty complaint forum.A BIT RADICAL so at first i thought it was a content issue ? Sofar nothing has worked and good luck finding a human!!! I think fbook will be my next victim LOL
I am having this distressing situation unfold as a consequence of the number assigned for the security check being /simultaneously/ disabled. It is unfortunate when my account not only manages a SME via Facebook as the foundation, it has an excess of 1 million followers… Without this account, I have lost root privileges to all my pages and communities….During the Pandemic, they have reduced staff for an already vague customer service system and my newfound economic frailty, with a futility to access to control of my business, has wrought profound depression… This isn’t merely personal for the effects of social isolation from such a dilemma, it is professional in ramifications while all my business is intertwined with their platform…
I have just been logged out of messenger and asked for ID. cant be bothered to sort it yet, and as a social media junkie (more of us need to admit this) I think it is probably a blessing in disguise. Remember back in the day when we knew the real each other, not just our digital selves? Rememeber when we sat by the fire without any screens and got drunk with friends? Sorry to hear about your biz. I haven’t got one hence my positive spin on this. Really, the whole world would be so much better off without social media in its current form
When my Facebook account was disabled, I felt lost and overwhelmed. Thankfully, my mother recommended Anthony, who works at Meta. With his expertise and guidance, I was able to resolve the issue quickly and get my account back on track. His support was invaluable, and I can’t thank him enough for his help during such a stressful time reach him at (anthonydaviestech@gmail com)