Got up today and found out that my account and all my posts on FB were missing and when I tried to log in I got the message that my account had been locked for security reasons, with no further explanation. WTH? So, to restore my account I had to enter the letters and numbers from one of those jumbled characters thingies with lines and such through it. No problem, I thought, but then came step 2 where, get this, I got this message:
"We're going to show you some photos of people you're connected to on Facebook. To unlock your account, correctly identify who they are. If you aren't sure about a photo, click "Skip."
Good grief, I thought! Well over 1,000 friends and followers and I am supposed to know them by photo?? So, I was given a selection of 3 to 4 images and had to identify the correct FB member for the images from a list of 6 choices. But it got worse, much worse: the photos were taken from the members photo files and were often not the profile photo at all! And, after I worked my way through the first 5 sets of images and members, Then I got yet another 5 to look at. And another list and another . . . Arrrrrrgh! I know that I got at least 3 right some of the time. What is the damned criteria?
As an example of how nuts this whole thing is, one of my 5 choices had me choose between Dan Marino, Nathan Freeman, Domenico Stallo, John Bean, Paul Fassa, and Ark Afkaa. But the 3 photos were all memes - one featuring Sirius Black from Henry Potter, another was a slam on Mark Zuckerber featurin he and Julian Assange (right about now I can sympathize) and Mark Zuckerberg anda third with Jeff Bridges. In another example, I had 6 names and three images which were 1) a poster for the Times Health & Beauty Show and 2) and 3) posters for Spice of Life. In others, there would be all male names with images of females and/or children and vice-versa. So, not only are you supposed to know the faces of all of your friends but you are also supposed to know every image they have ever posted? Absolutely rediculous!
Finally, after at least 6 sets of pictures I had to ID, I got another page with this message:
To make sure this is your account, we need you to upload a color photo of your government-issued ID. Your ID should include your name, birthday and photo. Acceptable IDs include your:
Passport
Driver's license
State-issued ID card
Military ID card
Immigration ID with signature
Please keep in mind that we can't accept your profile picture.
Once we receive and review a clear image of your ID, we will permanently delete your attached identification document from our servers.
Well, I do have one - and only one - photo ID: my drivers license. But I don't have a working scanner. And never mind that none of that information if FaceBook's business in the first place! So, I had to get Luella to go 30 miles to the nearest city that had a place where we could get my drivers license scanned and saved to an image file,
Naturally, thoughout this process there was no way to talk to an actual human being - just FAQ's which essentially said if you can't provide a photo ID, tough luck on getting your account back. What I would like to know is why in the Hell was my account locked in the first place? I mean, how could I be on FB for years and make literally thousands of posts and suddenly I have to prove that I am indeed me?
Now, I would just chuck the whole account and say to Hell with them - but my posts provide information that can help, and has helped, many people. And beyond just providiing this information and making social posts, I do depend on my posts getting return traffic back to my website to help us keep a roof over our head, reasonably healthy food on our table, and at least one of our jalopies ( :) ) on the road. OK, maybe not jalopies any more, but the payments have to be made.
So, half a day wasted for both myself and Luella - time that I desperately needed to make website updates and posts and write articles for much needed pay. Thanks a lot, Facebook!
