Can't access my Google account, but scammers can

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43322849
by SilentThunder • 1 year ago
18 10 1 year ago

About 15 years ago I created a secondary Gmail account. Have been using it to sign up for stuff like Facebook. It was configured with "Forward and keep a copy", it's important.

Later I also used it to sign up for more sensitive stuff like medical labs and PayPal.

A year or so ago I realized that I don't have the password written down anywhere and I have no idea which recovery email address I used. There was no way for me access this account.

No problem: I just changed email addresses wherever I could remember.

A month or so ago I started receiving notifications like "Confirm your Facebook login" sent to this inaccessible address. Someone is actively going through accounts tied to this email address.

These people now see my physical mailing address, name, medical test results, etc. Yes, I screwed up, but this is not the point.

I have no problem with losing this account. In fact, I would be ecstatic if if were deleted.

What I DO have a problem with is that a non-I has access to it while I don't.

As you know, Google and customer care don't live in the same universe. What options do you think I have?

Thank you.

Related Stories

Loading related stories...

Source preview

news.ycombinator.com