Relaxed section for discussion and debate that doesn't fit anywhere else. Whether it's advice, how your week is going, a link that's at the back of your mind, or something like that, it can likely go here.
Subcommunities on Beehaw:
This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
That really sucks. Was your money in accounts that you can file theft claims against? That might help you recover some of it
Second, speaking of claims, did you get to making the report? If you can find your old phone at a pawn shop you can use the police to recover it.
I won't even be able to know the scope of how fucked I am until I have my new phone set up, which now looks to be tomorrow.
People around you (work, neighbors, school, organization you're in, or a nearby church) will likely be willing to help to get you through the next week. Share your specific immediate needs without requiring them to listen to every detail of the situation causing it. They may offer charity in the form of gifted food or sharing a meal table. They may be willing to provide you cash and be reimbursed by your mother. Graciously accept whatever they offer even if it isn't in the form that you prefer.
You may later find that this circumstance created new connections for you that enriched your life.
People always learn way too late to register redundant 2nd factors...
I used to work for Apple care. The amount of calls about lost/stolen/broken phones and inability to access their account was staggering.
I was also instructed to not educate them on how to set up an account without 2FA, instead using security questions, which allows instant account recovery (with the right answers).
They have a recovery option for 2FA, but it's absolutely not guaranteed and we're instructed to give no time frame. Could be weeks, months, or never. Really, the expectation should be never.
Well, the guy has access to your phone on your accounts, so it's possible he could have removed your second factor email since he's in possession of the second factor phone.
People don't need your passwords these days all they need is your unlocked device. This is why you should never let anyone borrow/use your phone (or any 2nd factor) unless you really know them...
Well, I've certainly now learned this $1,250 lesson. The big question is next steps.
Let us know how things go. I'm sorry this happened to you
Sorry for my delayed response. I was busy talking to my college roommate on my phone. In 20 hours after this catastrophe, having a new Pixel is a pretty good outcome. Dude drained my account, but he thankfully didn't realize he could borrow hundreds more and cash that out. So I am only fucked to the tune of $900.
My friend showed up at 10:15 p.m., which I figured was an unreasonable hope. But he's a good dude who knew how much this meant to me (seriously, you want burners in your corner when things go to shit [he's not the only one, it's just that I used his address]).
My cortisol level is not quite back to baseline, but my veins are no longer throbbing out of my middle-aged hands, so, you know, baby steps.
The bank won't/can't help at all? I'm honestly unfamiliar with how these things go.
I'm glad it isn't quite as bad, but damn! Also, what a champ your friend is, you definitely want someone like that on your side when shit hits the fan
I'm going to look into what my options are, but for now, the dental chair is my main concern. Today, it was phone, tomorrow it's dentures ... maybe I'll have some bandwidth Tuesday.
Does this mean you got access to your accounts again? No more worrying about the other device? If so, that's really awesome!
Of course, it's fucked up this happened at all. Fuck that dude.