Table of contents
- My original Facebook account got hacked
- Here is the big deal - I lost asses to my late husband's memory page!
- Also - My Photo ID got stolen through Facebook
- Why do I blame Facebook and not the hacker?
- But wait, there is more
- The Account Recovery Scammers
- Asking me - "Your account get hacked - HOW?" is NOT ok!
- Recommending me anything related to Account Recovery is NOT ok!
Have you ever felt the frustration of losing access to your social media account? Well, let me tell you, it's not a pleasant experience. My original Facebook account was hacked, and I found myself locked out of it.
What's worse, Facebook permanently disabled my account within a few minutes without giving me any option to appeal! I was left wondering what could have been done through my account that was so terrible that it led to such extreme action. In this blog post, I want to share my personal experience dealing with a hacked Facebook account and the aftermath of having my account disabled without warning or explanation.
My original Facebook account got hacked
Losing access to my social media account was a frustrating experience, especially because my original Facebook account got hacked. To my surprise, Facebook completely disabled my account without giving me any option to appeal. As a result, I lost all my data, messages, and contacts.
This was very concerning as I had been using that account for a long time. This situation highlighted the importance of taking extra security measures to protect social media accounts and having a backup plan in place in case of such an eventuality. It's essential that social media companies have efficient and accessible account recovery processes, so users are not left stranded in such an unfortunate situation. But Meta doesn't offer that...
The fact that Facebook disabled my account permanently without any option for me to appeal is extremely unacceptable. As a large platform, they should have a better system in place for users dealing with hacked accounts.
Here is the big deal - I lost asses to my late husband's memory page!
It's extremely unacceptable for a platform as massive and influential as Facebook/Meta to not offer any means for an account owner to explain that their account was hacked and that any malicious activity was not done by them. Despite having a vast user base, Facebook doesn't provide any way of contacting a real person and discussing such issues.
This lack of communication can be especially problematic for users managing pages of their deceased loved ones. I was managing my late husband's memory page through my account, which I could not recover due to a hack. This oversight is unacceptable given that Facebook has a significant number of elderly users, many of whom have lost their spouses. What are these individuals supposed to do if they lose access to their late spouse's memory pages?
Facebook does not seem to care about the difficulties that people face in such situations, and it's appalling.
All that Facebook 'provided' was a page with a popup window stating that my account was permanently disabled, and there was no way to proceed any further.
So no - I am not bitching because I lost just a Facebook account, and some Instagram accounts that were linked, or silly groups or pages...
I lost interactions... I lost comments, photographs - memories that I had with my husband... they were mine...
I refuse to support a platform that treats its users with such disregard. This is deeply disturbing and shows how Meta puts profit over the experiences and losses of its users.
So F U META!
Also - My Photo ID got stolen through Facebook
Yes, after the hack I was asked to submit a photo ID, the original email asking me for a photo ID was actually from Facebook. BUT then I got a response email - NOT from Facebook.
That response email was thanking me - for submitting my photo ID !?
Why do I blame Facebook and not the hacker?
I blame Facebook for taking away my access to my data and for not caring to know that there is a lot more going on.
It is Facebook's responsibility to provide a safe platform for its users and ensure the security of their personal information and acces to their accounts. The fact that they failed to do so is not only a breach of their own policies but also a betrayal of the trust that their users have placed in them.
What's even more frustrating is the fact that Facebook did not seem to care about gathering evidence or obtaining more information about what actually happened. Instead, they permanently disabled my account without giving me any chance to appeal or provide any proof that my account was indeed hacked and my ID was stolen through their platform. This disregard for due process and their users' concerns is unacceptable.
Hackers have been around for a long time, and Facebook should have been prepared not only to handle the attack but also to help the user regain access to their account. Unfortunately, in my situation, I honestly do not know whose side Facebook was on - mine as the user or - the hacker. It seems that Facebook is more concerned with its own interests than with the well-being of its users.
I blame the hacker for buying $200 worth of Amazon Gift Cards, and I blame Amazon for doing nothing about it - but that's probably a topic for another article.
But wait, there is more
Losing access to your social media account can be a stressful and disheartening experience. But, unfortunately, the troubles do not stop there. There is an extra layer of frustration that follows, as soon as you mention the name of the social media platform in question, such as "Facebook" or "Instagram", and the word "hacked".
It seems like the moment these words are typed, you become a magnet for spammy messages from people who claim to be "tech-savvy" or others who recommend them. The barrage of unsolicited messages that follow can feel never-ending and leave you feeling more overwhelmed and uncertain about how to proceed.
It can be challenging to determine who to trust and how to navigate the complicated process of account recovery in the wake of a hacking incident. Despite the additional difficulties that come with dealing with these spammy messages, it's important to remain vigilant and cautious about who you share your personal information with online.
My most popular Tweet, look at all those spam replays ->
They tell you how they can "recover" your account and all kinds of BS!
Usually, they say - "Oh check out this person on Instagram, they recovered my account in no time" (this is a lie)
- Not that I'm going to, but I just lost my Instagram, so - how exactly do you want me to message them on Instagram ???
The Account Recovery Scammers
If you find yourself in a situation where your social media account has been disabled, it's important to be wary of offers from people claiming they can recover it for you. These individuals are scammers looking to take advantage of those in a vulnerable position. It's important to remember that legitimate social media companies have their own account recovery processes, and they would not outsource this to third-party individuals or companies.
It's also worth noting that recovering a disabled social media account is not always technically possible. Social media companies have strict guidelines and policies in place for disabling accounts, and this is usually done only after thorough investigations. While it's tempting to believe that there might be a simple solution to the problem, the reality is that recovering a disabled social media account often requires complying with the platform's policies and procedures.
DO NOT fall for those people's lies! They just want to make a quick buck, they always want to charge and they are full of BS!
When seeking help with technical issues, especially when it comes to cybersecurity, it's important to be cautious. Scammers often use scare tactics to convince you to part with your money, so be wary of any unsolicited offers for assistance. As for those individuals who claim to be able to recover your disabled social media account, the truth is that they are just trying to make a quick buck, and their lack of technical expertise means that they are unlikely to be able to help you in any legitimate way.
In conclusion, I just want to say ->
Asking me - "Your account get hacked - HOW?" is NOT ok!
Having my social media account hacked was a very unpleasant experience. Yes, I've written a blog post about it and I have mentioned it, but that doesn't mean I'm seeking advice or looking for help. Unfortunately, some people seem to think that just because I've shared my experience, it's an invitation for them to ask me questions about it, even if they're not close friends of mine.
"Oh, so your account got hacked - tell me how" - This is not a conversation starter!
If you're one of those people who feel entitled to ask questions like "How did your account get hacked?" or "Tell me more about what happened", I need you to understand that this is not okay. It's insensitive and even suspicious.
Asking for me specifics about how my account got hacked, can come across as suspicious because it could indicate that the person asking is trying to gather information for nefarious purposes. If someone was hacked once, it doesn't necessarily mean they are an easy target, but it can raise red flags and make them more cautious about discussing their online security.
Understandably, some people might be curious, but when you're not a close friend or family member, it's best to respect my privacy and not ask for specifics.
It's important to remember that a social media account being hacked is a serious issue. It can be emotionally and financially damaging, and even talking about it can be triggering for some people. So next time you hear about someone's account getting hacked, resist the urge to ask for details unless they offer to share.
Recommending me anything related to Account Recovery is NOT ok!
I want to emphasize that if you're not a close friend or family member, recommending anything to me, that is related to account recovery - is not okay. It's been months since my account was hacked, and the issue has been resolved for a long time now. I appreciate that people may want to offer their help and advice, but sharing an experience and asking for help or advice are two separate things.
If I need help with something, I will reach out to people I trust and who have the necessary expertise. If you're not one of those people, then please respect my boundaries and do not offer unsolicited help and advice. I do not need or want anyone's assistance when it comes to account recovery or related issues.
So, please do not contact me about account recovery or offer unsolicited advice. I have the situation under control and am not interested in hearing about it anymore. Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
At the end of the day, this whole situation has led me to reevaluate my relationship with social media, and Facebook in particular. It's disheartening to realize how easily what is shared on social media can be taken away from you without any warning. It's even more concerning to realize that Facebook, a company that claims to have our best interests at heart, is more concerned with profit than providing a safe and positive user experience.
I refuse to support a company that puts profit over its users' experiences and losses. Facebook needs to do better, and until they show a genuine concern for their users' safety and security, I will not be returning to their platform.
As a result of my experience, I've become more reluctant to share too much on social media platforms. The fear of losing my data and not being able to access it again is a real concern, and I don't want to risk it happening again.
Since I stopped using Facebook, I have found that I can enjoy the present moment more fully. I am no longer constantly checking my phone for notifications or scrolling through my newsfeed, trying to keep up with the latest updates. Instead, I can focus on the people and experiences around me, with fewer distractions. It's been refreshing to disconnect from the noise and chatter of Facebook and to instead be more present in my own life. Overall, I feel more grounded, centered, and in touch with myself and my surroundings.