Locked out of FB account, they're asking for ID to verify it's me?!

[Echofallen]

Was just browsing FB as normal, next thing a screen appears saying I've been locked out due to "suspicious activity" and it takes me through to a screen with option to add my email address and upload ID. I assumed it was the choice between the two so added my email address and pressed next but no, it's wanting me to upload ID as well! I can either upload my passport, driving licence, national ID card, marriage cert, name change paperwork, green card, voter ID card amongst others...

Seems a bit like overkill to ask for personal ID to access a frivolous website! Whatever happened to just giving me the option to change my password! Anyone else experienced this, is it legit? Thanks.

Just No don't do it. You are giving your data to a potential scammer

I'd be interested to know too. This has happened to a friend of mine this week and she's not able to provide ID that matches her user name, as she's a teacher so uses her late grandmother's name to avoid pupils/parents finding her and messaging her etc

This happened to me last year

I think it was real

I just never used Facebook again, I was only on there because DC had a group which only posted any changes on there.

This happened to me about 10 years ago. I was asked for my mobile number. I refused to give it, so then they asked for a copy of my passport. I refused and wrote an email to them and they shut down my account!
I opened a new account and now I have only one friend on there and barely touch the account.
Still bitter about what they did to me!

It's pretty shit. I wouldn't care but I use it to keep in touch with friends I've made from around the world, if it was just people I see regularly I wouldn't bother. And I have loads of photos uploaded too.

I had a Google and it seems like other people have uploaded the demanded ID and still can't get access, WTF Facebook . Not sure what to do, apparently their customer support is non existent.

This has happened to DH, but with Instagram! It's a right song and dance. Can't help but wonder if it's anything to do with them being down not long ago.

I was wondering if it would happen with Instagram account as well because they're owned by the same company but it's OK so far.

I do have a second FB account (different email address and name) which I've had for over 10 years and wonder if this might be a reason. Still its been 10 years. I set it up due to suspicious behaviour from a family member so I could keep an eye on things and when my suspicions were proved correct I kept it and joined various support groups so that people on my regular FB can't see any of this stuff. I've made good friends through those groups too, I hope they don't lock that one as well as it's been a lifeline.

It sounds really odd. I would be worried it’s a potential scam and not give them your details. Perhaps you can wait a few days, then see if you can log in again normally?

I dunno but it's strange that it appeared when I was logged in already. I was on my way to the supermarket and after attempting to get back in by providing my email address I ended up closing the page asking for ID and apparently it only lets you attempt this once!

I'm all paranoid that someone has accessed my account now and browsing my PMs etc although it's showing a broken link when you search for my name (seemingly while FB waits for you to fix the issue). So I'm not sure what to do.

@Echofallen I have had the same thing happen to me yesterday too!
Only problem is account is in maiden name so ID is all in married name… !

That's a pain! Why don't they account for all these things! I changed my name on it after I got married so apart from my passport everything is in my married name. I just don't want to give them that kind of ID. A utility bill might be ok if they'd accept that, but is it only US approved ID they can accept? I've no idea. And there seems to be no way of contacting them to explain individual situations.

I'm wondering what to do. I went onto Twitter to try to ask (tagging the FB twitter account) and got a bunch of comments from people saying they could hack my account, needless to say I didn't take them up on their offers

Then I tried asking on Reddit but I didn't word the stupid post properly and got a big long comment from a mod explaining that I hadn't posted it properly (too short a title or something) and that I NEED TO READ the rules, and if I commented about it I'd be banned! So that was no help. Sigh.

This has happened to DH today. Said there had been suspicious activity on his account and it says the link is broken when you try to find his name on there. They sent the same code to his mobile phone 3 times which didn't work, then locked him out of the attempt to recover his account because his code hadn't worked. Very odd.

Weird, it's let me back in, on my laptop! So if you have a computer/laptop try logging in there instead? I'm not sure what's happened to my account on my phone but will do some more googling and see if there's any info.

I just had the 'send me your ID' request today. All I did was try to log in to FB on my laptop as I have done hundreds of times already, using the auto saved details, it said it was not recognised, so I manually added the same details, still no joy. Was still logged in to FB on my mobile so changed my password, then tried to put that new password in on the laptop - and off it went on one, now locked out on laptop and mobile. I am not going to upload a copy of my passport just to keep them happy even if they will 'only keep it for a year'. They have lost a customer today - only used it for buying and selling locally - so Gumtree/Vinted here we come! It reminded me of when I had a San Francisco stop over forced on me by my airline, was only going to be in US for 6 hours, was not going to leave the airport, but they took that as an excuse to harvest my DNA, swaps and finger prints - gotta love those Americans and their data harvesting!!