So, new phone on the way, but the thief managed to drain my account to 53 cents in the time it took me to brick my old phone.

Given that he used my phone to steal all of my money, I don’t really know what to do here.

I could get my mom to transfer emergency funds, but if he can bypass the security on my phone, it feels like she’d just be giving him more money.

Outside of Western Union, what are my options? I have no food and only learned about this development when trying to purchase said comestibles. I have no access to credit and would rather not starve.

The worst part is, I have a $350 short-term borrowing limit through them, and if he stole all my cash, it’s entirely possible that he also maxed that out and took that cash. I can’t find out what’s going on because of 2FA blocking me from seeing my account without my phone.

I’d call customer service, but, you see …

We could be looking at a $1,250 theft. That’s not something I can just bounce back from.

Fuck, I wish I’d not answered the door.

I’m now in a full-on panic attack. I’d call 911, but you see …

ETA: It turns out the “conversation with his girlfriend” complete with breaks to make it seem real, was a voicemail to one of my friends in the burner/mutual-aid community. She’s giving tough love about the clear grooming and inability to think straight.

She’s also posted the voicemail publicly such that others can start working on identifying the thief. Had I been smart, I’d have taken a picture of his birth certificate while it was still in storage here.

In slightly better news, my new phone has arrived at my friend’s … but it might be a bit late to get there tonight.

  • SpikesOtherDog@ani.socialEnglish
    9·
    10 days ago

    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.

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      10 days ago

      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.

  • FireXtol@piefed.socialBannedEnglish
    6·
    10 days ago

    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.

    • nocturne@slrpnk.netEnglish
      1·
      9 days ago

      I was always reluctant to enable 2fa in case of a lost/stolen device. But now that I have a phone and tablet I have it enabled on virtually everything.

      Also when you enable it, a lot of accounts will give you recovery codes. Those are handy to have.

  • catchy_name@feddit.itEnglish
    5·
    10 days ago

    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.

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      10 days ago

      Unfortunately, this is precisely the wrong week to rely on the burner community, given Flipside being upcoming and the load-out already having taken place yesterday.

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      2·
      10 days ago

      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.

      • Megaman_EXE@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        10 days ago

        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

        • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
          2·
          10 days ago

          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.

      • TehPers@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        10 days ago

        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.

        • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
          1·
          10 days ago

          Yep. You can’t have the same account on two different devices, and the eSIM has been transferred. I do love me a deadline.