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The Complete Guide to Fixing "We Received Your Information" on Facebook

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Have you tried logging into Facebook only to be blocked by the frustrating "We Received Your Information" error message? As a fellow tech enthusiast, I know how annoying it can be to suddenly lose access to your account. But don‘t worry – in this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through how to get your account reopened and avoid this issue in the future.

What Does "We Received Your Information" Mean on Facebook?

Let‘s start by understanding why you see this message. As you may have experienced, "We Received Your Information" means Facebook has proactively disabled your account. This happens when their automated systems flag your information as suspicious in some way.

The most common reasons your account can get disabled include:

  • You‘re under 13 years old – Facebook requires users to be at least 13 to create an account. Any accounts identified as being underage get disabled.

  • Name/birthday mismatch – Facebook occasionally checks accounts against government ID records. Even small differences can trigger an automatic disable.

  • Hacked or compromised account – Accounts being used for spam or abuse often get mass reported, prompting Facebook to disable them.

  • Duplicate account – Having multiple accounts violates Facebook‘s terms, so extras get removed.

According to Facebook’s latest statistics, over 1.5 billion accounts get disabled each year for violations of their automated detection policies. So you‘re definitely not alone in encountering this problem!

Step-by-Step Guide to Reactivating Your Disabled Account

If you receive the dreaded "We Received Your Information" message, don‘t panic! Here is a foolproof step-by-step process to get your account restored:

Step 1: Submit an ID Verification Request

The first step is to confirm your identity and ownership of the account to Facebook.

Visit Facebook‘s ID Verification support form and fill it out with:

  • The email address or username associated with your disabled account

  • An explanation that you are the legitimate owner of the account and want it reactivated

  • A clear photo of your current government-issued ID (driver‘s license, passport, national ID card, etc).

Example ID verification request form

Make sure the ID photo you attach matches the name and birthday shown on your Facebook account. Using an expired ID can also cause issues.

Step 2: Wait Patiently for Review

Once you‘ve submitted the form, you‘ll need to wait for Facebook‘s review team to verify your information.

  • This process typically takes 1-3 business days, but can take longer during high volumes of requests.

  • Avoid submitting multiple requests, as this can actually slow down response time.

  • Check spam folders regularly in case Facebook tries to contact you for any follow up.

Patience is key! With over 35,000 reviews happening daily, Facebook needs time to properly investigate each case.

Step 3: Create New Account If Unsuccessful

If you still can‘t access your account after 5+ days, your review request may have gotten rejected or lost in the shuffle.

In this case, your best recourse is to simply start fresh with a brand new account and be extra careful when entering your info.

When making your new Facebook account, ensure your name, birthday, and all other details match your government ID perfectly to avoid issues.

Why Facebook Aggressively Disables Accounts

As we discussed earlier, Facebook has automated systems that monitor accounts for any policy violations and quickly disable those deemed suspicious. But why is Facebook so aggressive about shutting down accounts?

There are a few reasons why Facebook heavily polices its platform:

  • Blocking underage users – As a safety precaution, Facebook complies with COPPA regulations prohibiting children under 13 from using their services. Any accounts appearing to be from underage users get promptly shut down.

  • Curbing spam/abuse – Fake and compromised accounts are often used for spreading spam, scams, and malware. Proactively disabling them helps limit abusive behavior on Facebook.

  • Enforcing "real name" policies – Facebook aims to create an authentic community by requiring users to provide their real identities. Strictly enforcing this via ID checks prevents fake accounts.

  • Preventing misinformation – The rise of "fake news" has pressured Facebook to be more aggressive about disabling potentially suspicious accounts that spread misinformation or incite harm.

  • Complying with regulations – Facebook has faced increasing regulatory pressure to tighten control over its platform. Proactive account disabling helps demonstrate its compliance efforts.

So in summary, Facebook‘s heavy-handed approach to disabling accounts is motivated by a mix of community protection, regulatory compliance, and public relations. Of course, this zero-tolerance policy ends up causing headaches for plenty of legitimate users too!

FAQs and Troubleshooting Tips

I know dealing with account issues can be complicated, so here are some answers to common questions around fixing the "We Received Your Information" problem:

What if I‘m locked out of the email on my Facebook account?

If you can‘t access the email associated with your disabled account, you can submit ID verification through Facebook‘s alternate Personal Records Request form.

Why does my ID keep getting rejected?

Double check that the name, birthday, and photo on your ID precisely match what‘s on your Facebook account. Also make sure your ID photo is clear and not blurry.

What if I‘m under 13 and can‘t change my listed birthday?

Unfortunately, Facebook does not allow accounts for anyone under 13 due to COPPA regulations. You‘ll have to wait until you turn 13 to create a new account with accurate info.

Can I regain access to my old posts and photos?

If your account gets permanently disabled, all your posts, photos, messages, and other data will be permanently lost. Make sure to backup anything important first if possible.

For other troubleshooting tips, be sure to check Facebook‘s Help Center. Their guides are a great technical resource for any account issues!

Best Practices to Avoid Account Disabling

I hope after reading this guide, you have a plan of action for getting back into your disabled Facebook account. But even better than fixing account problems is avoiding them entirely!

Here are a few of my top tips for keeping your Facebook account in good standing:

  • Use your real identity – Always provide your authentic name and birthday when creating accounts. Avoid fake info.

  • Activate two-factor authentication – Add an extra security layer via SMS or authenticator apps to prevent hacking.

  • Avoid 3rd party apps – Be cautious of granting account access to sketchy third-party services or browser addons.

  • Think before you post – Don‘t share anything that violates Facebook‘s rules or spreads misinformation.

  • Secure your login – Use strong unique passwords and change them regularly.

  • Limit extra accounts – Stick to one main account and delete any secondary ones you don‘t need.

  • Update your info – If your legal name changes for any reason, make sure to let Facebook know to avoid issues.

Following security best practices goes a long way in keeping your account safe. But if you do encounter trouble, use this guide to get reinstated quickly!

I hope you found this rundown on fixing disabled Facebook accounts helpful. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow tech enthusiasts keep their digital lives running smoothly.

AlexisKestler

Written by Alexis Kestler

A female web designer and programmer - Now is a 36-year IT professional with over 15 years of experience living in NorCal. I enjoy keeping my feet wet in the world of technology through reading, working, and researching topics that pique my interest.