[IP] cebook hacked and no avenue for redress

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Mark Neely" <mark.neely@gmail.com>
Date: January 15, 2009 9:32:17 AM EST
To: <dave@farber.net>
Subject: Facebook hacked and no avenue for redress

Dave,

I am writing partly to vent my frustration but mainly in the vain hope
someone on the IP list can help me out.

My Facebook account was hacked approximately 40hrs ago. I discovered  
this
when I was called by a concerned friend who wanted to confirm that I was
being held at gunpoint in London and desperately needed him to wire me  
cash
(via Western Union) so I could escape the country and return to  
Australia.
Of course, I was not in London, and it was not me he was chatting to on
Facebook.

I immediately attempted to log into Facebook, but the password had been
changed. So I tried to reset the password, but the email address  
linked to
my Facebook account had also been changed. I could not access my  
account.

I spent an hour scanning the Facebook site looking for a contact phone
number. No such luck. I completed 2 different incident reporting  
forms, and
received auto-confirmations. I then scanned their T+Cs and Privacy  
notices
and discovered the privacy@facebook.com email address and sent an  
email to
that address.

40 hours later, I have had no response from Facebook, and I have been
alerted by friends that the perpetrators are still active on my account,
initiating chats with people begging for help and a money transfer. I  
just
alerted several authorities in Australia (though it is now 1.30am in  
Sydney,
so had to use online forms). Unfortunately, the Australian Federal  
Police
(who do have a 24hr hotline) couldn't help me (they referred me to a  
Scam
Watch service!).

So I am asking whether anyone on the IP list has a direct contact with  
an
appropriate stakeholder at Facebook, or some specific advice on who I  
might
contact in the US to get the account suspended and the perpetrators  
locked
out (or, better, traced and apprehended).

Any feedback appreciated.

Regards,

Mark


-----
Mark Neely
Master Strategist
Infolution Pty Ltd
'Beyond Strategy. Leading Change'

e: mpn@infolution.com.au
m: +61 (0)412 0417 29
skype: mark.neely

Read my blogs --> www.infolution.com.au
Connect on LinkedIn --> www.linkedin.com/in/markneely







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