I’m posting this here because I have lost my Facebook account and need to communicate the following widely. It appears likely I will never get it back.
Long story short: If you see ad on Facebook for a ChatGPT app, do not install. It is malware. Still not understanding how it appeared on Facebook. Nor am I understanding how it lasted several days on Facebook. I’m hoping Facebook will do the right thing and restore all the accounts killed by this thing.
Long story long: So I saw the ad for a ChatGPT Windows app and installed it. The app didn’t work the first time I launched it. It returned a “checking your browser” message — exactly like the one I’ve seen on the ChatGPT website. I closed the app and figured I’d play around with it later.
Yesterday, while on Facebook, my app displayed a window telling me I was shut down for violating community standards. And it called me Lily Collins (some actor). Waaaaaa? I checked my e-mail and found a message from Facebook, again calling me Lily Collins, and saying my account was suspended. In fact, it was eliminated. There’s no sign of me there now, except, curiously, my Dr. Cline page is still visible as of yesterday evening, anyway.
I scoured the internet looking for answers. On Reddit I found a long string of messages from people with the same issue. Installed the app, Facebook suspended, name changed to Lily Collins.
Some reported credit card numbers stolen and other mayhem. I believe I was able to get rid of this thing without further harm. That getting rid included a full factory reset of my computer.
The upshot: Unless Facebook does something for all the Lily Collins out there, it seems clear my Facebook account is lost forever. Attempts to report the hack do no good at all. And you can’t actually talk to a human at Facebook.
My new attitude: Fuck Facebook. I’m pissed I lost so much. But I can do without it. [UPDATE: An emotional response. I may go ahead and start a new one. But I’m not going to be in a hurry about it.] [UPDATE: Nope. My first response was the correct one :-)]
Instagram still works. WhatsApp still works. Both Meta products. That makes me nervous.
If my loss of Facebook has severed our only connection, please leave a comment here or on Instagram, YouTube, or anywhere else you find me. We’ll reconnect somehow.
Not that you’ll be able to see it, but I’ve posted this on FB and set it to “public” …
https://www.facebook.com/jay.manifold/posts/10159490782946482
Thanks, Jay!
Yep. My account is gone and is now someone named Lily Collins as well. I never downloaded any app. It just happened.
Lily Collins just happened to me last week. Somehow they added their email to my fb, they even got the password reset code through my email. They stole both credit card and debit stealing over $1,500 purchasing items on fb marketplace. The purchases were for the same amount over and over. They got into my Netflix account as well as an inactive snap chat. I don’t recall downloading anything lately except an app from apps store. Life lock didn’t report the suspicious activity at all. My fb account has been suspended however I just noticed that I am still getting notifications via email when my friends post which means this character is too. The added email was a hotmail account.
Jepp, Lily Collins hack happened to me too and facebook has now rejected my appeal and my account seems permanently lost. I’m quite desperate to get it back as this has been a great way to stay in touch with many friends around the world. Not to mention all the photos… Surely eventually facebook will have to do something?