How 360 Crue Gains Access to Inaccessable Online Profiles

Often times, all it takes is the basic password recovery process to regain access to accounts when the password is forgotten or undocumented.  In cases where the primary recovery email account is no longer accessable, more stringent means of regaining access becomes necessary. Below are the steps we take to regain access when accounts are locked down and the password recovery feature is not an option*: 

1. Identify Affected Accounts

• List the exact profiles that have lost access:
  • Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, etc.)
  • Business listings (Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing Places, Trustpilot, etc.)

2. Check Account Ownership

• Determine:
  • Original email addresses or phone numbers used
  • Name of the individual or agency that created the account
  • Admin or access level you previously had

3. Classify the Reason for Lost Access

• Forgotten credentials
• Former employee or agency locked you out
• Account hacked or compromised
• Ownership dispute
• Account disabled, suspended, or deleted

4. Gather Verification Information

• Business documentation (license, tax ID, proof of address)
• Account creation details (dates, IPs, business email, etc.)
• Screenshots of account content (if accessible from the outside)
• Billing or ad payment receipts (if any)

5. Secure Your Email and Devices

• Change passwords and enable 2FA (two-factor authentication)
• Run security scans if hacking is suspected
• Make sure primary recovery emails are not compromised
  
  

Platform-Specific Recovery Steps

1. Google Business Profile

• Visit business.google.com
• If access is lost:
  
  • Click “Request Access” on the listing
  • Google will email the current owner; if they don’t respond in 3–7 days, you may gain access
  • If disputed, escalate with identity/business verification docs
• In case of hacking: Contact Google Business Support

2. Facebook Page / Business Manager

• Go to Facebook Business Help
• Use “Business Support Chat” if available
• Submit ID, business docs, and request admin rights restoration
• If hacked: Report at facebook.com/hacked

3. Instagram

• Use the “Forgot Password” feature
• If email changed or account is hacked:
  
  • Report using “Need more help?” link in the login screen
  • Submit photo ID and follow selfie verification steps
• For business accounts: Link to Facebook Business Manager may help in regaining control

4. LinkedIn Business Page

• Use the Help Center to submit an Admin Access Request
• LinkedIn may ask for:
  
  • Company email address matching the domain
  • Business documentation
  • Proof of employment or ownership

5. Yelp / Trustpilot / Other Listings

• Claim or re-verify listing through the platform’s support center
• Provide business documents, phone verification, or domain email access
• Submit ownership disputes via official forms or ticket systems
  
  

If the Account Was Hacked

1. Report and Lock Down the Account

• Use each platform’s dedicated hacked account recovery portal
• Request account suspension (if abuse or impersonation is happening)

2. Notify Your Audience

• Post updates on other verified platforms or your website
• Warn followers not to engage with fake messages or suspicious content
  
  

Escalate and Get Human Support

1. Contact Platform Support Directly

• Look for live chat, email forms, or partner support channels
• Be persistent and document all correspondence

2. Use Paid Ad Accounts to Get Faster Support

• If you’ve run ads before, use that status to request advertiser support
• Business verification often unlocks higher-priority response
  
  

Document and Safeguard Restored Access

1. Consolidate Account Info

• Store usernames, recovery emails, backup codes in a secure password manager
• Note admin/ownership roles in a document for future reference

2. Review and Revoke Access

• Remove ex-employees, agencies, or unknown devices from admin panels
• Reassign roles and limit admin privileges to trusted individuals

3. Enable Maximum Security

• Set up 2FA for all accounts
• Use domain-based emails for official business profiles
• Assign a primary backup admin on each platform
  
  

Create a Prevention and Contingency Plan

1. Establish Account Recovery SOPs

• Document steps to take in future access-loss scenarios
• Include contact details and credentials backup policies

2. Train Team on Digital Access Hygiene

• Avoid shared logins without a password manager
• Require 2FA and strong passwords
• Review permissions quarterly
  
  

*  360 Crue may change the tools and methods used as deemed necessary or sufficient given the specifics of each case.