"I can recover your account" scams: how to spot fake recovery hackers

Updated November 8, 2026 · Independent guide, not affiliated with Meta · Links go to Meta's official pages

Post "my Instagram got hacked" anywhere and within minutes someone replies: "DM me, I got mine back in 2 hours." This is one of the biggest scams around hacked accounts.

How the scam works

• They comment or DM, often from accounts that look "verified" or show fake success screenshots.
• They ask for a fee upfront, often in crypto, gift cards or a payment app.
• Then they ask for "one more fee", or for your login details, and vanish. Some take over more of your accounts.

Red flags

• Anyone who contacts you first offering recovery.
• Payment in crypto or gift cards.
• Asking for your password, login codes or ID photos.
• Claims of "inside contacts at Meta".
• Guarantees. Nobody but Meta can restore an account.

Avoid getting scammed on Instagram What to do if you've been phished on Facebook

Already paid?

• Stop sending money, no matter what they threaten.
• Contact your bank or payment app and dispute the charge.
• Change passwords for any account you shared, starting with email.
• Report the scammer's profile on the platform.

Where GotItBack fits

We're a self-serve guide, not a recovery service. We never ask for your password, we never contact Meta for you, and we don't promise results. We give you Meta's official routes in the right order, an appeal letter, and a checklist, and we refund you if it doesn't help.

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