Facebook's hidden folder: Users find hundreds of filtered messages they never knew about

Facebook users could be missing out on hundreds of messages they didn't know existed because of a secret inbox.

The folder, designed to catch spam and unwanted messages, is part of the social media site's Messenger app and desktop filtering system.

But many people discovering the Filtered Message Requests inbox have found messages they may have wanted to read, but never knew about.

One man claimed he had missed out on news an old friend had died, only discovering the message two months later, while another user missed out on condolences after her father's death.

Others say they have missed out on paid work, while Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said she had found "thousands" of messages from people trying to contact her.

To open up the inbox using the Messenger app, go to Settings, click the People option, select Message Requests and enable the option to see filtered requests.

Alternatively, go to facebook.com/messages/other from a desktop.