SketchAEtch

Edit: I don't know if I'll even get noticed: Twitter thread, I Don't have a big social media footprint.

Hey duders, looking for help/input or to share in misery here.

I don't want to seem like a Karen, but this is the 5/6th attempt over a few weeks.

2FA was recently bypassed on my original PSN account, I was not even able to refute it as they say they cannot change the account for 'security reasons'. Sony support basically told me to get fucked. I used 2FA authenticator app, now have to cancel credit cards, losing friends, over a decade of purchases and trophies gone? The guy was gloating on Twitter after attempting to phish account details from me (which I ignored.)

You're telling me that this is acceptable? Anyone have experience as a Sony tech or this practice?

Should I issue a chargeback on recent purchases? What ramifications would that have? Any thoughts?

@boodoug187: Help a fella out, hombre.

It's strange how someone you've never really "met" can impact your life in so profound a way.

Good luck Drew, you'll succeed wherever you go.

@dudeglove: I've already let everyone know, especially those I used Amazon to send gifts to, since this guy saw all my saved addresses. (Removed those.)

Another Update in this Tale:

Guy calls me and leaves a voice mail this morning before the sun is up. Claims to be from Anonymous and wants to talk to me. (Ha.)
I spent some time talking to Sony yesterday about how he could go about this. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOURSELF: ADD 2-STEP VERIFICATION. That is literally the only thing that saved me. Had he not gloated upfront about what he would do I would not have added that security step. (I didn't know about it.)

I have since contacted a lawyer in cyber-crime from the UK to see if we can get anything moving. (I dunno what the cost is, or if it's feasible.) There is also a site: Internet Crime Complaint Center ; that you can put in information. The local force said to go to the FBI, but I don't think that's worth anyone's time for a silly PSN name and Amazon login or cancelled credit cards. If this guy changes his tune and threatens harm or anything, then I'll escalate.

Thank you for your replies and listening to this woeful story.

Woke up again to another threat.

It was so difficult for me to get my account back the first time.. I removed all associated cards and whatnot (which is how I retrieved it in the first place.)

Sony didn't allow for me to make any notes to my account to increase security. I can't verify or change some of the stuff they asked for. (First console serial number? What, from ten years ago?)

This is actually starting to affect me beyond this little tiff.

EDIT: Can I report this from the US? I've gotten calls from two different UK numbers that haven't been marked "Unavailable".

@clagnaught: I appreciate the feedback.

I woke up this morning to another cryptic text, followed by my e-mail being blown up by Amazon. (I thought I had 2-factor on that, but apparently didn't. Now I do.)

Turns out he got into my Amazon and immediately attempted to purchase a bunch of stuff. They were pretty solid and quick to shut that down, but he got away with some PSN card codes on Amazon's dime. After adding more verification, changing the password to be much much longer and obtuse, and changing my credit card for good measure, I feel a little better.

(I changed passwords to EVERYTHING I could think of.) The scary part is that my phone started going off about alerts to access my Sony account. I kept getting pinged for 2-step verification. I was at work and got a little panicky. Turns out he somehow (probably customer service) got my account e-mail changed to one of his. I spent the better part of two-hours combing through e-mails and paper looking for old serial numbers and information to wrestle it back. The sad thing is, when I asked if there was more security I could put on the account, a note, anything, I was met with "No, that's not possible" by a Sony rep. He'll probably get it back, and I'll have to do this whole song and dance again. (I went through THREE reps before getting one that would help.)

I doubt this is the last of it. I've taken to blocking phone calls and texts; he's used three different numbers, all from the UK. All I have are the phone numbers he's called from and one (probably burner) e-mail that he set my Amazon account to. I checked my e-mail at the website you mentioned and sure enough it flashed all red at me.

I was also doing research on those type of identity protection services, so thanks for your input.

Thanks again, hopefully he's less persistent than I am.

Hey duders.

I know this is a strange request, but this community has some of the more savvy individuals I know.

I woke up this morning with a cryptic text from a 011 44 7446 522*** number. I'm in the US, so normally I'd just ignore it, but I'm going out of the country soon and figured it might be someone that needed some information for my trip. I'm not very savvy with international numbers, so I didn't know what I was getting into.

The man (or lady) asked by my first name, I replied. Immediately I get threats to give him my PSN username the "easy way or else." I have a name from launch day of the PS3, so this happens a lot. I get daily purchase inquiries and hundreds of angsty dudes that threaten me instead of the player they're actually playing with. (This is the first time someone has contacted me outside of PSN.)

Normally I'd just stop there, but the guy just started rattling off personal information. Again, this is nothing new in the internet age. Even though I've never shared that information on social media or whatever, I'm not naive enough to believe that someone can't find it, and with relative ease.

I spent the last few minutes changing passwords and making sure I was 2-step verified on pretty much anything I could think off. I'm sure there are ways around all of these things, there always is. Is there a way he found out my personal phone number from PSN? I've never used it to verify social or other internet gumbo.

To my point. TL;DR,

Does anyone have any experience with threatening hack type of stuff? What actions should I take for protection?

"Hot garbage" is forever in my lexicon.

Rapid City, SD, USA