Locked Out

December 24, 2011 10:23 PM

Facebook is sending a "security code" to a phone number I no longer have. What do I do now?

I've already gone around in several circles on the help screens, naming tagged friends, answering security questions, changing passwords, confirming birthdates. Nevertheless, I can get no further than the screen which says it is sending a security code --- to my old phone. What do I do now?

posted by shipbreaker to Technology (7 answers total)

I don't know how long before they reassign a number these days, but it might be worth txting the number yourself, explain the situation as succinctly as possible, and get them to forward you the code (if there's someone on the other side).
posted by sbutler at 10:52 PM on December 24, 2011

Metatalk
posted by Jahaza at 10:02 AM on January 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I know the answer to the question, now.

Scan in your government-issued ID or driver's license or passport, email it to Facebook admins, then get rejected anyway.

i.e. it seems there is no way back in once you are locked out.

:-(
posted by shipbreaker at 10:33 AM on January 3, 2012

Try calling a a human at Facebook. Tho' it appears they prefer arcane and impenetrable 'help' forms.

Facebook: Blocked or Disabled
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:56 AM on January 3, 2012

GetHuman has pretty obnoxious site design, but might be of some use in contacting a useful human being at FB. See here.
posted by Wretch729 at 11:46 AM on January 3, 2012

Response by poster: Thanks for the good times. Bottom line is, if I signed up to Facebook with an older phone number and a name which was not my real name, I am S. O. L. and cannot get back in.
posted by shipbreaker at 5:56 PM on January 3, 2012

Best answer: The question makes perfect sense. How can I get back in if I don't have my old phone number any more? The answer to this question is discussed in great detail over in Metatalk. I signed up for Facebook waaaaay back in 2007, and they seemed to enjoy having me on their site until this Christmas 2011. Now all my pictures are trapped and all my Facebook friends are gone, and I am very angry.
posted by shipbreaker at 10:25 AM on January 4, 2012