Escaping Facebook?!

🔐 Locked Out and Looping: One Man’s Battle to Delete a Facebook Account

By Allen Wade

When Allen tried to help a client delete their old Facebook account, he didn’t expect to be caught in a loop of logins, security codes, and outdated passwords. What started as a simple cleanup turned into a frustrating journey through the maze of Facebook’s security systems.

“We changed the password. It looked like it worked. But when we tried to delete the account, Facebook asked for the password from last year—April 2025.”

Even after reinstalling the app, verifying the phone number, and receiving two-factor authentication codes via WhatsApp and email, Facebook still flagged the account for “suspicious activity.” The system refused to recognize the new password as valid for deletion.

Tip: When facebook there will be a point where facebook suggests it can send a SMS - it does not send it at all. What you need to do is load whatsapp and then send to whatsapp.

🔄 The Loop That Wouldn’t End

Allen and his client followed every step:

• Changed the password

• Verified identity with trusted devices

• Received 2FA codes

• Tried to delete the account

But each time, Facebook demanded the old password—one that hadn’t been used in months and was long forgotten.

“It felt like we were being punished for trying to secure the account.”

🧠 Why This Happens

Facebook’s security system is designed to protect users from hackers. But in cases where someone has:

• Been scammed

• Changed devices

• Updated contact info

• Forgotten old passwords

…the system can become a barrier instead of a safeguard.

Even with full access to the recovery phone and email, Facebook may still block sensitive actions like deletion if it suspects the account was compromised.

🛠 What Helped (and What Didn’t)

Allen tried everything:

• Reinstalling the app

• Logging in from a trusted device

• Using Facebook’s hacked account recovery tool

• Reporting the issue through Facebook Help

But the real breakthrough came from understanding that Facebook treats password changes differently depending on how they’re made. A password changed during a security review is more likely to be accepted for deletion than one changed manually.

🧾 Lessons Learned

1. Don’t wait to secure an account after a scam. The longer you wait, the harder it gets.

2. Always document passwords and recovery methods. Use a password manager or a physical notebook.

3. If deletion fails, try deactivation first. It hides the account while you work through the issue.

4. Facebook support is slow—but persistence helps. Use their forms and keep records of every step.

🧠 For Carers and Support Workers

If you're helping someone with memory loss, dementia, or recovering from a scam:

• Keep recovery info simple and accessible

• Avoid accounts tied only to mobile phones

• Use trusted devices and backup codes

• Consider creating a new account and warning contacts not to engage with the old one

📌 Final Thought

“We weren’t just trying to delete an account. We were trying to protect someone’s digital life.”

In a world where online identity is as real as physical ID, navigating account recovery and deletion is no longer just a tech task—it’s a form of care.