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Hacker victim speaks about having online life stolen

We now spend so much of our time online and living on our smartphones that cyber fraud, hacking and identity theft is an increasing problem.

The consequences of being hacked can be devastating.

For one victim, whose online banking details, emails and social media accounts were all taken over by cyber criminals, it meant time and money lost – as well as a lot of stress.

Experts are warning it could happen to anyone.

Eighteen months ago, hacking victim Dylan Uchtman was on Facebook when something odd happened.

Dylan Uchtman became the victim of hacking and identity theft. Source: 7 News
Dylan Uchtman became the victim of hacking and identity theft. Source: 7 News

Slowly his Facebook page changed, Arabic text appeared, and eventually his profile was controlled by someone else.

“Someone has access to, say, nine years of your private information and I have no control over what they do with it, no control over what they say,” he said.

When Dylan reported the hack to Facebook, its response wasn’t even in English.

“We give this company so much information and we allow them to have such an insight in to our lives, yet as soon as that information is compromised they’re nowhere to be seen,” he said.

When Dylan reported the hack to Facebook, its response wasn’t even in English. Source: 7 News
When Dylan reported the hack to Facebook, its response wasn’t even in English. Source: 7 News

The hacker continued to infiltrate Dylan’s online life, posing as him and sending private messages to people.

Even his Uber receipts are now in Arabic.

He’s lost access to his Hotmail account and now his bank account has been raided.

“I received a notification that money had come out of my account and confirmed it was not me,” he said.

Experts say anyone with a social media account is a target – and the more accounts you have the more vulnerable you are.

Experts say the more social media accounts you have, the more open you are to being hacked. Source: File/Getty
Experts say the more social media accounts you have, the more open you are to being hacked. Source: File/Getty

It can take up to 12 months to get your accounts back, because it can be difficult to prove you’re the original owner.

“Once they have your identity, they can go to a bank and apply for a loan or apply or a credit card,” cyber security expert Sorin Toma said.

But there are steps people can take to protect themselves.

“Look after your computer and mobile phone,” Mr Toma said.

“Make sure you’ve got good passwords, antivirus software, and perhaps limit yourself on public wireless networks.”