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Facebook Account Disabled: How I Recovered It

Facebook disabled accounts_accounts not following Facebook Terms

Some days ago, I was really irritated: I couldn’t access nor my Facebook account neither my Facebook pages. My Facebook account was disabled or blocked due to suspicious activity. Facebook told me that “suspicious activity has been detected on your Facebook account and it has been temporarily suspended as a security precaution”. So I was locked out of Facebook. When I try to log in I see a message saying my account is suspended. And when I went to Facebook.com/miApple.me, the URL of my personal page, it said “Content Unavailable.”. Read who I recovery my disabled Facebook account and, as a bonus, my lessons learned at the end of this post.

I searched the web for disabled, suspended and blocked Facebook accounts. And I’m not alone! Since September 2014, Facebook “real-name policy” is rolling out, hitting the right, but also the wrong people, like native Indians and others. The official Facebook statement “Keeping Facebook activity authentic” by Matt Jones, Site Integrity Engineer, tries to explain the whole story. Up to the date when Facebook disabled my account, I got the opinion that Facebook is, in principle, on the right way. But there’s one important point: It is not only the right way what counts, but also HOW you’re going that way. And in that point, Facebook is failing completely.

Submitting an appeal

At the end I found a Facebook’s help page “Disabled Accounts“. Facebook tells you some reasons for disabling an account:

“We disable Facebook accounts that don’t follow the Facebook Terms. Some violations include:

  • Continued prohibited behavior after receiving a warning or multiple warnings from Facebook
  • Unsolicited contact with others for the purpose of harassment, advertising, promoting, dating or other inappropriate conduct
  • Use of a fake Name
  • Impersonation of a person or entity, or other misrepresentation of identity
  • Posting content that doesn’t follow the Facebook Terms

Please review the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to learn more about our policies. If you think your account was disabled by mistake you can submit an Appeal.”

Facebook account disabled_submit an appeal
Facebook account disabled_submit an appeal

I’ve nor never ever received any warnings, neither done one of the other things. I was still confused. And further more, Facebook says on that help page:

“To regain access to your account, follow the instructions you see when you try to log in. For more information about what’s allowed on Facebook, please review the Facebook Community Standards.”

OK, I thought, go ahead. I followed the instructions and Facebook wanted to verify my name. I was puzzled because Facebook officially allows nick names (for Details see “What other names are allowed on Facebook?“). And I got one: Gee Are stands for the first letters of my two first names: “G. R.”. It’s like A Jay (A. J.)….

Verifying your identity

“Before we can review your account, please fill out the form below to help us verify your identity. Please attach a copy of your ID(s). Learn more about why we require ID verification and what types of ID we’ll accept below.”

Let’s go to the next chapter. I scanned my ID and uploaded it to Facebook. That’s illegal in Germany. You aren’t allowed to make any copies of your German ID. Hence, Facebook forces me to break the law. Okay, Facebook states why they Need my ID and that they will delete the copy after verifying my identity:

“We require everyone using Facebook to use their authentic name and birthday. This way, you always know who you’re connecting with. In order to confirm that you’re using your authentic name on Facebook, we need you to provide a copy of your ID. Please keep in mind that we’ll permanently delete this document after we resolve your issue.”

…and Facebook is telling you what names are allowed:

“Facebook is a community where people use their authentic identities. We require people to provide the name they use in real life; that way, you always know who you’re connecting with. This helps keep our community safe.

Please refrain from adding any of these to your name:

  • Symbols, numbers, unusual capitalization, repeating characters or punctuation.
  • Characters from multiple languages.
  • Titles of any kind (ex: professional, religious).
  • Words, phrases or nicknames in place of a middle name.
  • Offensive or suggestive words of any kind.

Other things to keep in mind:

  • The name you use should be your authentic identity; as your friends call you in real life and as our acceptable identification forms would show.
  • Nicknames can be used as a first or middle name if they’re a variation of your authentic name (like Bob instead of Robert).
  • You can also list an additional name on your account (ex: maiden name, nickname, professional name).
  • Profiles are for individual use only. We offer Pages for professional personas, organizations and businesses.
  • Pretending to be anything or anyone isn’t allowed.

If your authentic name isn’t listed on your account, please change your name. If you’re unable to change it, learn more.”

I must apologize. There are many different ways to confirm your identity. Find the complete list of types of IDs Facebook accepts in the following. That’s really nice from Facebook… 😉

“You can confirm your identity in 1 of 3 ways. When submitting documentation, please cover up any personal information we don’t need to verify your identity (ex: credit card number, Social Security number). We encrypt people’s connections to Facebook by default, including IDs you send to us. We delete your ID information after verification is complete.

Option 1

We will accept any government-issued ID that contains your name and date of birth. Examples include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Marriage certificate
  • Official name change paperwork
  • Personal or vehicle insurance Card
  • Non-driver’s government ID (ex: disability, SNAP card, national ID Card)
  • Green card, residence permit or immigration papers
  • Tribal identification or status Card
  • Voter ID card

Option 2

You can provide two different forms of ID from the following list (ex: a bank statement and a library card, but not two bank statements). The names on your IDs must match each other, and one of the IDs must include a photo or date of birth that matches the information on your profile.

Below are some examples of IDs we’ll accept:

  • Bank Statement
  • Bus card
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Employment verification
  • Library Card
  • Mail
  • Magazine subscription stub
  • Medical record
  • Membership ID (ex: pension card, union membership, work ID, professional ID)
  • Paycheck stub
  • Permit
  • School Card
  • School record
  • Social Security Card
  • Utility bill
  • Yearbook photo (actual scan or photograph of the page in your yearbook)

Option 3

If you don’t have an ID that shows your authentic name as well as your photo or date of birth, you can provide two forms of ID from Option 2 above, and then provide a government ID that includes a date of birth or photo that matches the information on your profile. We won’t add the name or other information from the government ID to your account.”

Wait and see

I’ve been waiting for 48 hours to get a response from Facebook (some others are reporting 24 hours). In the meantime while trying to log in, I got the following message:

“We’ll take look at the document you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help confirming your name, we’ll reach out for additional documentation.”

Facebook account disabled_message after submitting an appeal
Facebook account disabled_message after submitting an appeal

Going through the entire process led to the result that my official (Facebook) name is no longer “Gee Are Pabst”, but “GR Pabst”. Facebook asked my if I can accept it. After two days of struggling I frustratedly said “Yes”…

Lessons learned:

  1. Have someone you trust, who is knowledgeable about social media and be an admin of your Facebook page(s), too!
  2. Be aware, that Facebook got all the force, not you!

Finally, I could recover my disabled Facebook account. The entire story demonstrated how mighty Facebook is, and, on the other side, how less powerful a single power is. @Facebook: Don’t forget who made you mighty! It were we, your users! 😉

Stay tuned! 😉

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69 thoughts on “Facebook Account Disabled: How I Recovered It”

  1. hi, how are you Gee, actually i’ve been facing the same problem since the last year, they still saying the same message when i log-in to my account (We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help confirming your name, we’ll reach out for additional documentation.)

    can you please tell me how to recover it, thank you

      1. Hey there, fb locked me out saying I did not follow their standards. I have no idea why. I got the final say that they are disabling my account. My question is how do I get control of my business pages. There is no other admin other than me. Anytime I try and send an appeal it just says they already reviewed my account and have decided to disable it. I did nothing wrong.

  2. me also… since one week. When i tryed to claim filling out the appropriate form “SUMBIT” doesnt work, as they say that account associated with E-mail is not disabled. So nothing to claim.

      1. Hi Gee Are Pabst,

        I too am facing the same issue, but when i open the above link and submit my info. I receive the message like this

        “Incomplete Form
        It looks like you forgot something or entered something incorrectly. Please make sure you’ve included all of the required info.”

        Please suggest

  3. Dear Gee Are Pabst,

    I have submitted my document to facebook account. Its already 2 months pass there is no improvement and no answer from facebook. I am watching this message from last 2 months.

    “We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help confirming your name, we’ll reach out for additional documentation.”

    What can i do now? Please suggest me bro.

    Thank you

      1. I am watching this message when i tried to log in to my facebook account

        “We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help confirming your name, we’ll reach out for additional documentation.”
        What can i do?, please help me

  4. Hi Sir, I will try your suggestion. My personal account also disabled by Facebook since Feb. 12, 2016. I’ve been sending appeals but to no avail for them to enable. I red almost al the forums, but only a few who are lucky enough to get back of their account. Mine is still counting. I almost give up. I sent an email to them if they will not reactivate it, I ask them to send back all my photos and videos. It’s my kids journey/milestone, a family memories uploaded there but unluckily I wasn’t able to have a back up files.

    I hope through this blog Ican get back my account. I tried to use your tip how to enable the disabled account. For now I am waiting of Facebook reply. Crossing my fingers.

    Thank you for the blog, I will update you anytime soon.

    Regards,
    Rose (I am from Philippines, now based in Singapore)

      1. Thanks for the reply Sir. After I sent email to FB, they reply that they will not reenactivate my account. So sad. I just want to get back my photos and videos. I won’t insist them to enable only my photos and videos uploaded. They are heartless! I told them its my kids milestone and family memories. ?????

  5. why do facebook show me “We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help confirming your name, we’ll reach out for additional documentation” if I logged into my facebook account? How will I do to get my facebook account?

    1. Hi Ni U Ni,

      this means that Facebook is still checking your documents. you have to sit and wait until Facebook comes back to you. Sorry, there is nothing we can do about it.

      Cheers,
      Gee Are

  6. Hi Gee Are ,
    I am do you advice so they show me . What should do ?
    “is email address does not belong to a disabled account
    This email address you entered does not belong to a disabled account. You may only appeal a disabled account from this contact form.”

  7. We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help confirming your name, we’ll reach out for additional documentation.

  8. I submitted copy of my id yesterday and since yesterday I have been waiting. I don’t even know what happened. Is there onother way we can contact Facebook

      1. You can try to contact facebook using the BBB, but they still give you the BS answers like “go check the help section” or “this article may help you”. I even got a response from Mark Zuckerberg or a guy claiming to be him with the same bs. They’re all full of shit.

  9. We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help with confirming your name, we’ll contact you for additional documentation.

    help me

  10. I have got the same problem issue,
    its almost 48 hrs. I have 3 business pages to manage, this problem occur during end of the month its time to spend. Somebody said I may be wait for a month or more.
    Its too bad.

    Thank you for usefully article
    Regard,
    NT

  11. hello all,
    i m also stuck in trouble such as when i used to go login facebook page shows following message We’ll get in touch with you at the email address you provided after we’ve reviewed your ID. You will now be logged out of Facebook. how to retain my account back??

  12. the same Message here

    We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help with confirming your name, we’ll contact you for additional documentation.

    and I sent the ID any ideas ?

  13. Hi Gee Are Pabst,

    I think I messed putting my ID because I’ve just put any pictures in my gallery. 🙁 You think it is possible Facebook send me an another request to send my proper ID?

    Hope you response.

    Thanks and best regards!

  14. We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help with confirming your name, we’ll contact you for additional documentation.

    please.help me to recover my account.i cannot do it.please,sir

  15. How can i open my account
    We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help with confirming your name, we’ll contact you for additional documentation.

  16. I can’t access my facebook page, neither my facebook fanpage. It shows: “Thanks for your report. We’ll review the information you provided and get back to you soon.” Can you tell me please, what can I do? Thank you

  17. Thanks for your report. We’ll review the information you provided and get back to you soon.

    facebook massege to mail plz help

  18. Please help me to recovery my account

    i have many times this message:

    Hi,

    Thanks for your report. We’ll review the information you provided and get back to you soon.

    In the meantime, you can review our Community Standards to learn more about what is and isn’t allowed on Facebook:

    https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards/?ref=CR

    We appreciate your patience.

    Thanks,
    The Facebook Team

    Did you receive this email in error? Please let us know: https://fb.me/24uWe1L7h6IRx0e

  19. what should I type on additional coloumn? I said please enable my account facebook “Gst Semaraputra” from email: bsemaraputra@yahoo.com. thank youagain, but fb said that It looks like you forgot something or entered something incorrectly. Please make sure you’ve included all of the required info.
    what sould I do?

  20. Incomplete Form – “It looks like you forgot something or entered something incorrectly. Please make sure you’ve included all of the required info.”

    Plus, if I give my real ID, they change my name to my real name and since I have a stalker insane person after me for 4 years now, I’ll be in huge trouble. Not only me, but my family, my home, etc.

    There is nothing I can do then? Am I banned from Facebook forever, because I’m a victim of a stalker?

  21. My original Facebook account was disabled, I sent in an ID to appeal
    They said they would get in touch with me but its been weeks and I havent heard from them at all. This is the second time its been disabled, but last time they got back to me right away. I have sent my ID several times and when I go to my support box it says case open but I have not heard from them. Both my original Facebook account and the one I created when this one was disabled the first time have been disabled. I have used the appeal form and submitted my ID on both of them and Facebook has not responded on either of them, but they say case open. My original account has not gotten a response in weeks and now the same thing has happened with this one. I created a new account and so far only a few people have accepted my friend requests. The rest are all marking it as spam. And my account ends up getting disabled within a few hours of creating a new one, I upload my ID and they unlock it only to disable it again a few hours later. Idk what to do

  22. is it require to scan ID/documents when you send it to facebook? because has been disabled due to copyright violation.

    – Philippines

  23. Hello sir, it’s been 1 week since i experienced this issue. But still, i did not get any response from Facebook authorities. Please help, what should i do ?
    The problem is:
    Your account has been locked because we need to confirm your age. Please complete the form below within 28 days to regain access to your account. If you don’t confirm your age within 28 days, your account will be deleted.

  24. Hi there, this has happened with me, i think my original account was hacked. So i made a new FB account and within 24 hours it said suspicious activity had been reported and i had to upload a photo of myself, which i did. Then it asked me for ID so i uploaded my passport photo yesterday, it said i would i receive an email shortly which i am still waiting on. I tried logging into my account earlier and it still says my accounts disabled and wants some form of ID to prove i am who i say i am? Does this mean my original upload failed? Even though it sent? Or they have not got round to reviewing my ID yet? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as i use it to keep in touch with family abroad

  25. oh Hi there, i hope everything is well with you. well i got the reactivation code for my account but i am not able to upload the ID photo. It states error – “Sorry, something went wrong.

    We’re working on getting this fixed as soon as we can.

    Go Back ” Everytime i try to upload the ID. Is this related to file size. Please help. Thank you.

  26. I tried to update my security settings and somehow triggered FB needing to ‘verify my age’. I submitted the documents in the form provided, and it has now been over a month and I am still locked out. Alarmingly, I got this message ( “We have fewer people available to review IDs because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We’re trying hard to prioritize reviews for the most urgent cases. This means we may be unable to review your ID or it may take longer than usual.” ) So, it actually says WE MAY BE UNABLE TO REVIEW!! I am pretty over FB at this time, but really want to recover my photos. Any suggestions as to how to escalate this? I have emailed support, disabled, and appeals with no response from any department. Should I accept I have lost my pics and all contacts??? Thank anyone for any help!

    1. GINA, I have the same issue. COVID 19 has lessened the staff but this happened several months ago… I was asked about my name, I sent in every type of document even magazine subscriptions and after about 2 weeks i had it back and we had emails back and forth verifying identity. Then it happened again but was easy, I was asked about the name and confirmed it with no changes and it was fine. Now its happened again and is going on a month and i have no emails from them this time and wish i knew who to contact. i do the page https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/260749603972907 and now have tried this one https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/317389574998690
      But now the error message i get is Warning
      Your Information Couldn’t Be Submitted
      Log in to your account to get back on Facebook, or to see further instructions.

      HELP!! Im over FB. I just want my pics back 🙁

  27. Please help my recover my account, it been disabled and shows my a message:
    Thanks for your help
    We’ll take a look at the documents you submitted and get back to you. If we need more help with confirming your name, we’ll contact you for additional documentation.

    For a month now and when I tried open the link you provided in the comments above it shows me a message that i need to log in to Facebook in order to continue and it won’t log in because it’s disabled

  28. I tried again recently to recover my account and got a auto-reply stating that because it has been too long, my appeal is no longer valid and I should open a new account. Ugh. I will never return to FB unless I can access my original account, pics, and contacts. I don’t want to start over. I am now learning to live with the loss and feel freer without the toxic ad/political content.

  29. My account is disabled (message below ) I have sent my ID and it has been 1 week .I can not access anything. I have had my account for 10 years and i am 57 ..well within the age range ..I can not even access the help button …….We received your information
    If we still find that you’re not old enough to be on Facebook, your account will remain disabled. This is because your account doesn’t follow our Terms of Service.
    We’re always looking out for the security of people on Facebook, so until then you can’t use your account.

      1. I “sat and waited” and that backfired, because my next inquiry as to unlocking my account after review of documents, now states “too much time has passed for this account to be reviewed” Sorry. I am still going to try to apply for a job as a cover to have an actual person read my plea and maybe help? But I have pretty much resigned myself to never using FB again. I also found that the pictures I thought I’d lost forever had been backed up by google cloud, so that is great. Now I’ve only lost hundreds of contacts…….

  30. I woke up one morning to my account being disabled. I have tried submitting my ID and the contact form, but it says that the information cannot be submitted. Any ideas on what I can do?

  31. Hello. I am facing the same issue these days. For me, the situation is even more absurd. A week ago, I was not able to acces my account, neither from my phone or from laptop or computer. I received a notification to validate my account, i uploaded the copy of my id, i instanly received a mail saying that everything should be ok, i should be able to acces my account now, it was a security issue. But that did not happened. From that moment moving forward, when I try to connect to my facebook account I received the ”sorry, something went wrong message”, when on laptop. When I am on my phone, I received the notification that I need to confim my identity, I click on the next button and then ”connection lost message”. It is becoming more and more frustrating. How can this be solved?

  32. Hello.
    Facebook disable my personal account and gave me 30 days to request a review. The problem is that when I log in to my account or click the “request review” button that Facebook sent me, all I get is a page that says “Help Us Confirm It’s You” with a grayed “continue” button and I can do nothing.
    Turned VPN Off. Cleared Cache. Tried different browsers. Tried Incognito Mode. Other smartphones. The result is the same.
    Any thoughts?
    Thank you.

    1. Hi Holy,
      have you tried it on a Computer or Laptop instead on a smartphone?
      It seems that you‘re not alone with this problem. However, there‘s no solution available at the moment.
      Best regards,
      Gee Are

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