I Lost My Google Account After a Nightmare Swatting Incident – How Can I Get It Back?
Asked by
TechieTurtle42
Hey everyone, I'm reaching out because I'm in a really tough situation and Google Support isn't helping me at all. Back in January, I was swatted by some random kid online for no reason. The police came, but they never caught him. Then in March, my house burned down, and I had to crash with a friend until late April.
Things turned worse in mid-April when that same kid apparently got my personal info from a data breach, logged into my Google account, and uploaded some really horrible stuff to my Google Drive. I would never be involved in anything like that. Once Google found the material, they deactivated my entire account, and the police were involved. They seized my tech and conducted a full investigation, which eventually cleared me after a month.
However, because my friend got questioned and thought I was trying to blame him, he lied to the police and I had my devices seized again for four months. I just got them back last Sunday, and again, there was nothing illegal found. Yet, despite my cooperation, Google won't restore my account. I've filed two appeals that were denied. This account has been mine for ages and is linked to so many important services. I can't afford to lose it.
I'm lost about what to do next. Has anyone experienced something like this or know how I can actually reach a real person at Google to review my situation? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Answers
I get where you're coming from, but you should focus on getting that kid arrested, not just trying to deal with Google. It's more important to address the source of your problems. How do you know it was really him who did this?
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Honestly, it sounds like you're in deep with this whole situation, and handling it on your own is tough. A lawyer might still be your best bet, but just know that Google can be difficult, no matter how much evidence you have.
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I’m really sorry to hear you’re going through this. But honestly, you might want to consider setting up a new account. Google isn’t obliged to restore accounts, especially as it’s a free service. I know this sucks, but if you’re in a situation where someone could have put you in legal jeopardy, it might be a bit of a blessing that you’re getting off easy with just losing that account. In the future, please use strong passwords and check for leaked databases to protect your accounts.
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You should really consult with a lawyer for your options. They might help you find a way to get a response from Google. There are some firms that offer free consultations, so it could be worth a shot.
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