On Friday, November 17th my Facebook account was deactivated.  I received a notification that someone had sent a friend request to me.  I opened the app and accepted the request.  A few minutes later I received another notification.  Facebook suddenly wanted me to submit a selfie to prove I was who I claim to be.  I didn’t think anything of it.  I gave it my best goofy smile and took the photo.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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Once I submitted the photo I was given a vague message saying I had been logged out for security reasons.  I was given no timeframe as to when my account would be unlocked and I would be able to log back in.  I sent a tweet to the official Facebook account and began searching for a way to contact Facebook.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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After digging through a dozen links to different Facebook community threads, I discovered that there is no way to contact Facebook directly.  If you are an average “everyday” user, you just have to take this type of thing on the chin.  No phone numbers.  No email addresses.  Just vague answers on Facebook’s own community forum.

I finally found a link for a page that would allow me to submit information regarding my login issue.  

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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I filled it out and tried to upload a screenshot.  The form would not allow me to upload a screenshot, and a prompt suggested closing my browser and reopening it, then attempt to submit the form again.  I decided to skip the screenshot and try to submit the form anyways.  That’s when I got this message.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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After a quick copy and paste, I closed out of my browser and started fresh.

After a few hours, I received two emails.  Both of them stated that Facebook noticed I was having difficulties and that I could fix it all with “the press of a button.” 

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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When I clicked on the button, I was taken to a page asking for a six-digit code. 

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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The only problem with the red bar across the screen saying that I had entered in too many codes is that I hadn’t received a single code.  I clicked the link to have another one emailed to me.  A new six-digit code was sent to my SMS inbox.  I entered the code and was taken back to the screen saying I had tried too many times.  At this point I began to fear that someone had been trying to hack my account.  More of a bash attempt at breaking into my account.  The oddest part is that I received two text messages from Facebook after clicking the link in the email only once.  When I followed the link from the text message instead of the email, it took me to the Facebook homepage…asking me to log in.  Which I wasn’t able to do.  Now I’m back at square one, waiting for my photo to be reviewed…whatever that means.  We decide to get our national team involved in trying to resolve the issue.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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Finally, I get what appears to be an actual response from Facebook, via Twitter of all things.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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The only problem is that the link takes me back to the form I’ve already filled out that didn’t work!  So, I decided to get back in touch with Facebook.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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Apparently, I’m not the only person with this problem.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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I’m now at a loss.  I don’t know what to do.  If you have gone through this, get in touch.  If you found a way to resolve this, let me know.  I’m desperate.  How will I post things for work?  How will I eat every ounce of mobile data I can afford? Where will I find spicy hot memes?  Please, help.

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