Hi Unique,
my nightmare came true: My Instagram account was hacked.
But let’s do it all over again.
I’m sitting at the kitchen table and just want to show you my mommy’s delicious cake on my instagram story. But what is that? Suddenly the screen turns black. Okay, I guess I accidentally hit the stand by button … So I open Instagram again – but instead of the start feed I see the login screen. That’s weird …
The quiet before the storm
Uncertainty slowly arises in me – the quite before the storm. User name and password are entered quickly. My thumb slowly approaches the “Login” button. Click.
When my start feed doesn’t appear, panic starts to build up. Instead, this small, white and so inconspicuous field pops up.
At first I don’t really read what is written there, I don’t want to notice it at all and I want to click it away. But then a word comes to my mind: “closed”!
The great storm
Oh, my God! Hectically I read the whole text. Again and again, and then there it is… the great storm in me breaks loose.
Your account has been suspended due to a violation of our Terms of Use. Learn how to unblock your account”. Please????? Violation of the terms of use? I’m not aware of my guilt at all! I DID NOTHING!!!!!! And then I’m starting to have a memory. I’ve read that somewhere before… Suddenly the word is clearly in front of my inner eye: H A C K E D
That’s not really happening right now, I guess. I mean, who should be interested in my account? It’s only gonna happen to big accounts, isn’t it? It’s probably just a mix-up, so I just restart the app … try to talk me into it and tell myself that this is all just a stupid misunderstanding.
When the small window pops up again, all hope disappears and the panic finally got me. The first messages and calls are already coming in, what is going on with my account and if I have been hacked.
Hacked – again and again my thoughts only go round in circles, just one word in my mind. I just sit there and then I get quite calm on the outside while the storm rages inside me. Finally I click on the “Learn more” button and have to read again that I have violated the terms of use. But at the bottom of the page you can also report an error. Because that’s what this whole thing is all about: a mistake! I am sure not to have violated any policy.
Drizzling rain
Slowly and carefully, I fill out the form. Read everything carefully. Check each answer twice, then send the form. I sit there and listen to the rain in front of my window as a new mail arrives. I’m supposed to send a picture of myself in front of a bright background with a note in both hands. On this note, my name, my Instagram name and a code should be written. So I write everything on a piece of paper and take the picture right away. A little like a criminal in prison, it comes to mind. Guilty”, it rages through my head and I hear myself say out loud: ‘No, you are not guilty! You didn’t do anything wrong!’. And I’m getting a little calmer again …
The picture is quickly taken, the mail is written and sent.
Disgusting continuous rain
Now, after the first panic ended, the nerve-wracking part comes – waiting. What will my account be like? Will it look the same as before? Is there anything else I can do, or is there something else I can do? How long will it take to get in touch with the Support?
Questions over questions that nobody could answer and so the waiting got worse and worse. Searching in the net for the same fates, the same problems in between, again and again, more and more, further and further … and … waiting … waiting … waiting … it feels like a silent queue on the phone … no one is saying anything … just white noise …
24h offline
As much as I had hoped for it, yes, in the truest sense of the word dreamed of it, the account was and remained locked. Instead of the so hoped for and redemptive mail, I find nothing. No response, no public statement, nothing.
So it’s time to write mails again until the fingers bleed. But even on the evening of this day I still had no feedback. I was actually just left standing in this corrosive emptiness.
48 h offline
This night was also a short one, and when I hopefully press the “Log in” button (again), a loading sign appears. Oh, my God :O is that supposed to mean my account is back? But as soon as hope and joy sprang up, as quickly the disillusionment and the small pop-up came back.
Some mails later it is time for lunch. Resignedly I stumble around in it and can only think: 48h, the account is now already 48h offline … Is there anything coming back?
After lunch the news will be checked again, but instead of receiving mails from the support I received messages telling me that I am responsible for everything and that Instagram is not a safe job anyway … Wow!!!! Thanks to the people who are no help at all in such a difficult situation and almost seem to enjoy it…
54 h offline
I’m sitting in a bar with a friend, trying to distract myself. But from time to time my gaze wanders back to my mobile phone. Again and again I check my messages stealthily and suddenly I see the mail. A mail from the Instagram Support with the subject “Instagram account disabled”.
Of course, I have to read this mail right away, because a new wave of panic strikes me. That’s it? Just like that? But the panic turns into excessive joy as I read about a “mistake”. My account is back!!!!! I am so relieved and feel how the tension is falling off me slowly and I can finally calm down. A few little tears of joy roll over my cheeks… and finally I can absolutely enjoy the evening:D
Instagamaccount hacked, what to do when it happens: A step-by-step guide
1. keep calm
I know it’s not easy. But it is one of the most important points of all. Only when you’re calm, you read the Instructions carefully. Due to panic, errors occur and the reactivation process can drag on for even longer.
- – Try to log in normally
- – Read the text in the pop up
- – Click on “Learn more”.
- – Read the text and, if nothing else applies to you, click on “Report an error”.
- – Follow the instructions of Instagram step by step
2. Fulfill all tasks as fast and tidy as possible
As soon as you receive the email with your code, you should take a picture of yourself as soon as possible. However, you should still write legibly and at least make yourself comfortable. Otherwise, you could get the same problem just like Franziska Elea, who was not recognized without make-up. You never know who checks your picture. -.-
3. Write the right mail
In your email you should not only send the image, but also emphasize that you have not violated the guidelines and terms of use. You can also send your mail with a higher priority and hope that it will help you faster.
4. Distract yourself
No matter how many mails you write, the response takes time. So it’s best to be distracted. Go shopping, listen to music or read a book. The more distraction the better.
5. Do not give up hope
I know this is incredibly difficult, but never give up hope. Your account will come back and everything will be fine! Instagram will leave you out in the rain for a while, but there will be others who will keep you up to date with your account. Don’t give up hope!
And now…?
The joy is great, because my account is back, almost as it was before. And yet there is this unpleasant feeling, because one thing has become clear to me through this experience: it is frightening how dependent we are on this app. It is just a small icon and yet so much more …
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