The phone calls, texts and emails via Facebook suddenly came pouring in.
“Are you alright?”
“We’re praying; let us know that everything’s okay”
“Where are you?? Please respond!”
Armed with only my iPhone, as we were enjoying Labor Day with my brother’s family at the lake, I quickly tried to log-in to Facebook, to no avail. My sister-in-law brought up her Facebook account and there it was…my FB “status” in all caps: Melinda REALLY NEEDS HELP!!
What?!
Scrolling back through my email, I noticed one I hadn’t seen before, confirming my Facebook email address change…that I didn’t authorize. I followed the instructions to let them know of this mistake, was able to log in quickly enough to post an explanation of my own, then, shortly after, my account was suspended as a precaution. “Cyber-criminals” were suspected of hacking in for the likely purpose of gaining access to my email accounts to pose as me and ask for money.
Lovely. Identity theft.
As I set about the task of following the security tips that were suggested and changing passwords, etc., I thought about the term “identity theft.” Theft of any kind is a violating experience, but to have your identity stolen…well, that’s just almost too much. Your identity; the very essence of who you are. Not only the way others identify you, but the way you identify yourself.
Cyber-criminals are not the only ones after our identities. There is one whose whole agenda is to “steal, kill and destroy.” What better place to start, than to attack our identities, stealing away the good that we think about ourselves and replacing it, ever so subtly, with lies. Instead of a woman with the countenance of a co-heir with Christ, what’s left is an impostor.
Sadly (and I speak from experience), we’re not any more careful with protecting our real-life identities, than we are with protecting the online version of the same. Just as we get lax with changing our passwords and security questions, we forget to fill ourselves up with who God says we are and allow the Thief’s version to take over.
Take it from me today. Take a few minutes and change your passwords and security questions. And then do it often. Even more important, learn who you are in Christ. THAT’S your TRUE IDENTITY that NO ONE – not even the ultimate Thief – can take away. It’s just up to you to read it often, believe it fully, and live it out.
It’s up to you to be on guard against identity theft.
Oh girl! That happened to me about 2 years ago and it was miserable. Glad you were able to recover everything! Obviously, I didn't see anything or I would have worried about you as well!
Lindsee
P.S. Here is the link of when this kind of happened to me: http://lindseelou.blogspot.com/2007/11/facebook-scam.html
So glad you figured everything out! And great post. I love how you wrapped the two together.
I will work on your "request" this week at the ladies retreat. I am going down early Thursday so will have some much coveted alone time to gather my thoughts.
Love you.
Great advice my friend. Who we are in Christ–we are blessed, chosen, adopted, forgiven, loved, and accepted. What more could we ask for?
Leah
As I read this post, I thought about all the stuff we have going to one e-mail. I have two so that all the stuff that requires an e-mail goes to one and the one I correspond with stays clean of junk. A good idea is to have an e-mail that is solely for banking purposes. This way no one can get in via anywhere else like facebook, twitter or whatever. I think I just might do this.
Goodness! I'm so glad that you were notified soon enough to stop any further tidal waves. Praying for you, friend!
I love this post, Melinda! You are so right on… our identity comes from who we are in Christ, and no one can take that away. How important it is to wield Scripture to remind ourselves daily just who we belong to, and what that means!
Last night was yet another night of fitful sleep for me. I was awakened around 2:30 am, very aware of the darkness that surrounded me. My fear led me to pray all of the Scriptures I knew in order to calm the chaos. Eventually, peace arrived, and I was able to find a few moments of rest before the alarm clock sounded.
More than ever before, I've become aware of the relentless assaults on my spirit by the enemy. He's after something here, and I am reminded that if we live our lives as complacent Christians, we probably won't notice the enemy's schemes as much. But when we're pressing in to take hold of all of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of us, you can bet he amps up the attacks.
Would appreciate your prayers along these lines. I've spent far too long relegating my identity in Jesus Christ to outside resources that are well-content to name we otherwise.
peace~elaine
My email (hotmail) was recently hacked into. I knew I didn't have a very strong password but I had it for a long time. An email was sent to probably all 200 of my contacts. Fortunately, it was nothing dangerous…just a solicitation to visit a certain website that sold cameras, tv, electronics. I checked it out…looked fine. But it was a hassle. Then I was locked out that day because I "exceeded the maximum of emails allowed to send". Well, yeah. So, I had to wait a day before I could send an email to some of the recipients explaining it was not from me. But the emails were in my sent box so they actually hacked in there.
Never thought my identity via email would be stolen. Just for some advertisement of a webpage to sell a phone or two.
The thought of identity theft taking place via Facebook is really serious. We are reminded, thank you very much, to beware and take precautions to protect who we are, what we say and what we do in all areas of our lives. We are not to leave a stone unturned or else evil might slip in. But we have a mighty God who will protect us….just walk closely to Him. Thank you Melinda for sharing your experience and wisdom with so many others.
Oh yuck! What an ordeal. So sorry this happened to you, but I really appreciate the heads-up to take charge and be aware.
And what a great reminder, too, to beware of "identity theft" in our spiritual lives.