I'm in a tough spot because my Instagram account has been hacked, and the emails and phone numbers associated with it have been changed. I've tried everything I could find online, especially the links on Instagram's site for hacked accounts, but they just redirect requests to the hacker's email address. I even paid for Meta verification just to get support, but their customer service keeps telling me to use the same link, which is completely useless since it leads back to the hacker. Now they've limited my ability to report the issue further, which feels really frustrating. I also want to delete my old account to prevent anyone from being scammed through it, but I can't even do that. Any advice on what I can do?
2 Answers
It sounds like a tough situation! Unfortunately, Meta is your best bet here, but they can be slow to respond. Make sure you haven’t used the same password anywhere else and change those immediately. Also, set up two-factor authentication for any accounts you still control. For Instagram, you can check out their help page on account recovery, but if it’s directing you to the hacker’s email, that’s a real roadblock. Keep pushing Meta; they might eventually escalate your case!
Sending hackers a warning email could be more hassle than it’s worth, but if you're desperate, why not give it a shot? Just be careful - retaliation can sometimes backfire.
You should really try to tighten up security on any other accounts with the same info. As for your Instagram, keep reaching out to Meta with any documentation you have about the hack. They may take time, but persistence can sometimes help you get noticed. One thing that worked for a friend was using social media to publicly post about their issue. It might grab Meta’s attention!
Yeah, I've seen that work for others too. Just keep it professional, though. They might not respond to angry posts!
Good idea! I might consider that too. Just hope they see it and help out soon.
I tried the recovery process too, but it led to a dead end. Have you thought about reporting the hacker's email as fraudulent? It might not get your account back, but it could help in the long run.