How do I retrieve a hacked Facebook and Instagram account?
March 5, 2025
Meta has launched new features it says will combat fraud across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
From today, the tech giant will start to use facial recognition technology to crack down on scams and enable faster account recovery.
Previously, Meta required an account holder to verify their identity by uploading an official ID or certificate that includes their name.
Now users who have been locked out of their Facebook or Instagram accounts by hackers will have the option to verify their identity with a video selfie, similar to some banking apps.
The account holder will upload a video selfie and Meta will use facial recognition technology to compare it to the profile pictures on the account.
Scam-stopping selfies: Facebook owner Meta launches new video verification to beat fraud
‘While we know hackers will keep trying to exploit account recovery tools, this verification method will ultimately be harder for hackers to abuse than traditional document-based identity verification,’ it added.
Meta has faced criticism for the proliferation of ads that lead to scam websites across its platform, particularly those that impersonate celebrities who ask users to share personal information or send money.
The tech company says it is cracking down on these ‘celeb bait’ scams by using facial recognition to compare faces in the ad to the celebrity’s Facebook and Instagram pictures.
Meta said early testing had shown ‘promising results’ in increasing the speed of detecting celeb bait scams and in the coming weeks, will roll out the feature to more well-known figures.
Meta also said it had seen an increase of impostor accounts, with the goal of tricking people into engaging with scam content or sending money.
Often the fraudsters will claim that a celebrity has endorsed a specific investment or ask for personal information in exchange for a giveaway.
Meta says it is exploring new ways to identify and shut these accounts.
Mark Tierney, chief executive of Stop Scams UK, said: ‘Scams can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, causing not only financial loss, but also emotional distress and a loss of trust in online platforms.
‘By leveraging advanced technology, Meta is taking a crucial step towards protecting users from these harmful activities. Every sector has a role to play in creating a safer digital environment through sharing and collaborating with each other.
‘Consumers can help too by reporting suspicious activities. Together we can work towards reducing the prevalence of scams and ensuring a more secure online experience for everyone.’
- Add an extra layer of protection with two-factor authentication
- Keep your account secure with ‘selfie verification’
- Stay wary of scams that pretend to be government websites
- Verify the source of unbelievable deals and don’t be rushed
- Look out for fake celebrity ads
- Beware of romance scams that use fake profiles to ask for money
- Watch out for retail scams that mimic trusted brands
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