topic Re: Mom HACKED Again!!! in Electronics

Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:29:14 GMT

Just wanted to post a warning to any who may be watching these videos on FACEBOOK. For the past few weeks, my mom has been watching videos of the treatment of women right now in Iran.

Yesterday, her new HP computer once again shut completely down. We called the IT department and spent about two hours on the phone. After allowing them remote access to try and fix it, we were told EVERYTHING had been hacked and the traced IP address came back in two places where fraudulent illegal activities were being used with HER identity. One was in Iran and the other Pakistan.

I nearly fell in the floor and immediately knew how this must've happened. The IT department agreed. They said to not attempt any online banking and remove all credit card and personal information from the computer. Even after wiping it clean, I'm not sure what to do since they're already engaging in illegal activities using her identity.

We did what they told us, but I'm not entirely sure what all has been affected. She received a friend request from facebook of a picture of herself that same day before we called.

If anyone sees these videos, please do not watch them. I don't know how they were able to hack the computer, but they have. I'm not exactly sure how to proceed next with everything either.??

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

depglass — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:26:02 GMT

One has to wonder why Facebook isn't weeding this stuff out.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Spacrazy — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:43:19 GMT

Thank you @cheriere for this post. It is scary to think these can happen so easily. I hope your mom did not suffer any irreparable damage.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:49:20 GMT

Call the three credit bureaus to let them know.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 14:51:39 GMT

@Spacrazy wrote:

Thank you @cheriere for this post. It is scary to think these can happen so easily. I hope your mom did not suffer any irreparable damage.

Thank you 😊. I sure hope we don't have any to cancel each and every card. Thy automatically stop any foreign charges, but who knows what other things they might try to do with her identity. They have her picture, birthday, etc.. The thought scares me!

Facebook takes so long to even answer submitted questions. I don't know if they'll even take these videos down.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

On It — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:07:02 GMT

@cheriere Thank you for the warning. I am sorry this happened. I hope you find a quick resolution.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Sooner — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:10:17 GMT

@On It Is she shopping with temu? Tik Tok stuff?

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:11:44 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@On It Is she shopping with temu? Tik Tok stuff?

No, thankfully not. I remember reading a thread about that here not too long ago and warned her about that site. She said their prices seemed too good to be true.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

goldensrbest — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:11:58 GMT

Are these videos that others have posted,wondering more about this, i share videos with others.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:12:17 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
Call the three credit bureaus to let them know.

I hadn't even thought to do that. Thank you 😊💝

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:15:06 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
Are these videos that others have posted,wondering more about this, i share videos with others.

She said the videos popped up in her regular feed. So, maybe one of her friends put them there not knowing. I don't facebook, so I'm not sure.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:17:24 GMT

There are so many scamming posts on FB. Tell your mom not to click on any unknown posts. Have her change her password. If she wants any info do not use FB.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 15:23:56 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
There are so many scamming posts on FB. Tell your mom not to click on any unknown posts. Have her change her password. If she wants any info do not use FB.

Thank you 😊💝. We tried to change her password, but it wouldn't let us. So, we sent messages to facebook from a different computer. I told her we'd stay off facebook this weekend and check Monday to see if they replied. I pray they take these videos down.

This is the second time she's been hacked since receiving this computer for Christmas. I know it's not QVC's fault, but this HP Big Deal has been nothing but trouble!

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Scooby Doo — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 16:55:04 GMT

I had my laptop hacked 3 yrs ago and I relived the nightmare just reading your post. The hackers were able to get into my bank account and transferred out $10,000. They changed my password and locked me out of my own account. So my advice is that if she did any banking on that computer to call the bank and alert them. The bank can freeze any suspisious activity. I went to the bank and closed that account and transferred my money into a new account #. The hackers didn't bother my credit cards but I did request new account numbers regardless. It's easy to do, just go to their website and put in a request. They don't charge if you've been compromised and I received new cards within 10 days. You can notify the 3 credit agencies just by going to their website, you don't need to call. Simply lock you credit so that nobody can request credit in her name. She can unlock it anytime. You can also do that with credit cards if you don't want to get new ones. The next thing I had to do was notify any direct deposit checks coming to me about my new bank account #, e.g. social security check.

My son works in IT and he told me to just throw the computer in the garbage. Even though I could try to clean it the hackers were so embedded I probably wouldn't be able to clean out all of it. Sure, it was an expense but also a relief knowing I had rid myself of them.

Her info may already be on the dark web so look into that.

I now have malwarebytes premium on my computers and it lets me know if someone tries to sign into my computer from another location.

I hope it doesn't turn out to be as big of a hassle for you as it was for me. Good luck.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:19:03 GMT

@Scooby Doo Oh my! I hadn't thought to do MANY of the things you suggested, but I WILL NOW!!!

I didn't think about her Social Security and other direct deposits. I didn't consider them taking out cards or money using her information either!

Im thankful we were able to get in contact with one of her banks. The other was already closed and isn't open on the weekend. We did call the number on the back of that bank card, but they claimed we'd have to call back Monday unless she wanted to report the card stolen. They did check and thankfully no monies had been released to any overseas requests. But, you're right. We're gonna have to change both accounts and get new card numbers for everything just to be on the safe side.

Meanwhile, she's trying to hide all this from my dad. She's afraid he'll freak completely out...and he will, but there may be no way around it!

The only reason I didn't throw the computer in the garbage was in case we needed it to further track these people down or as proof for something. However, it will NEVER be used again! She's using her old laptop for the time being. I've even told her to stay off facebook.

I don't know anything about the dark web so we'll have to check with a computer person to help us figure out if information is on there.

Im so sorry this happened to you too. I pray it's not going to be as bad as I'm thinking. I took a screenshot of your post to use as a guideline for helping me check off things I need to do. Getting in touch with Social Security is a priority.

Thank you for your advice and kind words. If you remember anything else I may need to do, would you please post? I really appreciate it.❤️

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Estellee — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:24:39 GMT

@cheriere So sorry to hear this is happening again. I just bought another laptop to have just in case of a hack! I agree it would be a good idea to get in touch with the credit agencies. Good luck, poor mom!

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

cheriere — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:28:29 GMT

@Estellee wrote:
@cheriere So sorry to hear this is happening again. I just bought another laptop to have just in case of a hack! I agree it would be a good idea to get in touch with the credit agencies. Good luck, poor mom!

Thank you.😊❤️. I don't really use facebook, but my mom does. I didn't know people could hack your computer from just watching videos. If you ever see any of these in your facebook comments section, please don't open them.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Estellee — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:38:50 GMT

@cheriere You know, I noticed sometime on facebook, up at the top right where we sign in there is something that says Sponsored right below that (sometimes but not always there). I do on occasion see a number next to it indicating there is a message to click on. One time my friend clicked on it and the computer indicated to call a number to help. Do you think your Mom may have clicked on something like that?

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

nwbabs — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:45:27 GMT

I'm so sorry for all who go through this situation. Our in-law family member has had this happen 3x through FaceBook over the last few years. She uses FaceBook on her phone and stand alone computer. Thank goodness she does not do online banking.

My FaceBook usage is limited to a Fire Tablet with no banking and no email setup. I do use the tablet to play free games (Sudoku, Jumble), download reading/listening material through the local library (Libby app) and occasionally free Kindle books.

I do not know if having a limited use device for your Mom to use FaceBook would help your situation or not, or even be feasible. Wish y'all the best.

Re: Mom HACKED Again!!!

Tori3569 — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:47:17 GMT

There is no reason FB wouldn't allow you to change a password unless you shut down her account. There is always access to profile, passwords, etc. There is a security section of the website that should be able to help.