by: Donnell Ann Bell
Donnell Ann Bell
All right, my story isn’t of biblical proportions, but I assure you it’s close. Bear with me while I start at the beginning. Not Genesis; the year is 2009.
I was a latecomer to Facebook. Never thought I needed it. But friends told me how much fun they were having reconnecting with schoolmates, and I confess I wanted to see what everyone was up to.
For many years, I had no problem with Facebook. My friends were right. I was engaging with people I hadn’t seen in years. I should also note Messenger didn’t exist at the time. Everyone had a private contact page. I rarely recall ever being approached by someone I wasn’t friends with on Facebook. In fact, Facebook sent a reminder you’re not friends with this person on Facebook.
Then, I sold my debut novel, and it was slated for publication in 2010. To a newcomer with stars in her eyes, I listened to more experienced authors who were adept at marketing. You need an Author page, they insisted.
Make no mistake, I was as reluctant about an Author page as I was joining Facebook. An Author page would require putting myself out there. I’m no different than most authors; the majority are introverts.
Still, I took their advice and set up my Author page. Around this time, too, Facebook announced it was adding a new vehicle to their lineup—a platform called Instagram, which rolled out in October of 2010. I was pretty sure by that time I wanted nothing to do with Instagram; I was comfortable with my Friend page and occasionally posting content on my Author page and boosting a post that included a nice review.
One constant with technology is that it changes, and in August of 2011, Facebook deleted our private means of contact and implemented Messenger. Messenger allowed groups and other ways to reach more people. And this is when Satan, I mean the trolls, slithered out of the cyber woodwork.
I’d finally resigned myself to Facebook and Messenger, but by then a great many friends and family were leaving Facebook for Instagram. I was publishing more books and reluctantly decided to set up an Author Instagram page.
Writing books requires hours of alone time and concentration. As a result, by 2022 I was on social media less and less, popping in only occasionally to say hello. I should have known I had a problem when a friend sent me a screenshot from Messenger. I didn’t think much about it. She blocked him, and I assumed that was that. (In the writing world, we call this foreshadowing.)
Something else was occurring while I was spending long hours off social media. Often when I logged in to Facebook it wasn’t uncommon to read an online friend warning, “Don’t accept any friend requests from So and So. Tell her to change her password! She’s been hacked!”
There’s an old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” In February 2023, this saying hit me with 
renewed clarity. A neighbor called, saying, “Donnell, I’d like to help you with your charity, but why does this man need so much of my personal information?” Instantly alarmed, I said, “I don’t have a charity. Do not give him anything. He’s a scammer!” Fortunately, she called before it was too late, but what if she hadn’t?
After that phone call, I called a software engineer friend and we traced the scammer back to Instagram. “That’s it,” I said. “I’m closing my account.” Before closing the account, though, we scoured Facebook and Instagram. I was one of those people who changed my password often on Facebook and set my Friend page to private. Eventually, I employed two-factor identification. Public pages aren’t private, however. Nevertheless, imagine my surprise when I learned someone had stolen my author tag line and set up a fake account on Instagram. Numerous people reported the fake, including my daughter. Pay attention to the name he used: anndonnell5d28. I’ll make the connection below.
Back to closing my account, I learned it’s not a matter of pushing a button. In effect, I was required to prove that I was me. Web forms completed, license provided, I pushed submit and returned to my job of writing books.
Me holding my license
During 2022 and 2023, I was traveling monthly as my mother was failing. It was a terrible time for my family and me, selling her house, moving her into assisted living, and then dealing with her rapid decline. My wonderful mom passed early November 2023. Still grieving and consumed with funeral arrangements and settling her estate, I began receiving texts and emails from followers on my Facebook Author page. “Donnell, did you change your author page?” “Who the heck is ElectromagneticCarSnow?” I had no idea, but someone sent me a screenshot that ElectromagneticCarSnow was now in control of my Author page.
Screenshot below of of my hacker-controlled author page. Notice my author name in the upper left-hand corner.
Bruised from that revelation, I received the next round of good news. Notice that my Facebook account had been suspended. Why? Because an entity known as buiminhquan40mbzijksabz, and linked to my Instagram account, “doesn’t follow our rules.” Note it says if I wished to appeal, I could log into my linked Instagram account.
What linked account? Remember, I’d deleted my Instagram Author page account in February 2023 (or so I thought). The fact remains that even though my software engineer friend and I filled out a web form, followed Instagram’s instructions, including submitting my license, I never received confirmation that my account had been deleted. Why didn’t I do the smart thing and pick up the phone and call Meta’s customer service to confirm? You have GOT to be kidding me!
Now notice all those letters and a couple of numbers in the suspension notice. Now remember the fake account (Anndonnell5d28) we assumed was taken down after I and many others reported? Maybe it’s the mystery writer in me but I sensed a pattern here.
It gets worse.
Soon after, I was notified that my financial account tied to Meta Platforms had been charged $500. Never had I spent that kind of money on a boosted post or Facebook ad. I emailed a friend who’s retired FBI. He put me in touch with an individual who worked hard on my behalf. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to both, especially when the fraud investigation team confirmed the charges were the result of a hack.
What have I learned from these events besides it’s an enormous time suck and an abundance of wasted emotion? First, hacking is never about a single person. The entities behind ElectromagneticCarSnow and buiminhquan40mbzijksabz are doubtless connected. (see below).
Note: This list was too lengthy to post and these are the hacked accounts we can see!
In conclusion:
Whoever is behind this online fraud doesn’t know me. He/They/It don’t care that they have attempted to damage my reputation, my ability to connect with readers and hindered my business. Fortunately, many of my 1400 followers on my Author page know me and I’m grateful so many attempted to come to my aid. I do not write this blog out of haste. The hack occurred between December 6 and 8, 2023 and I’ve been patient. I’ve hired Hacked.com, filed a complaint with the FTC, my state’s Attorney General and the FBI.
Meta Platforms, Inc. reported an annual income in 2023 of $39 billion (see stats below). The company spends millions on lobbyists, fighting and settling lawsuits. I believe Meta considers lobbyists, lawsuits, and yes, even hackers roaming free on its platforms, the cost of doing business. The company defines itself as an American multinational technological conglomerate. Sounds impressive, right? But didn’t this so-called conglomerate achieve its wealth and foothold in this world on the backs of human beings?
When automation reached the level when humans were no longer necessary, and apps replaced call centers and customer service, I believe investors and CEOs rubbed their hands together at the money they could make. I read that investors were upset because TikTok was giving Meta stiff competition and demanded the corporation improve its bottom line. What happened next? Layoffs of people of course. But not to worry, AI is here to save the day!
Cybersecurity Statistics in 2024 (usatoday.com)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2024/01/16/6-evolving-social-media-trends-for-2024/
Meta: annual net income 2023 | Statista
By design, technology runs this company and arranges layers of automation between management and the average subscriber, making web forms the norm and contact nonexistent. I’m not hopeful I’ll ever get my account back, but if I had my way, I’d like the hacker removed—as well as the other accounts he’s harmed. In a perfect world, I’d like him prosecuted. In a perfect, perfect world, bordering on Camelot, I’d like Meta and other businesses that put profits first and customers last, to realize they have an ethical, moral obligation to protect subscribers and not the criminal element.
The CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc. calls himself a philanthropist. I call that pure fiction. If you research Meta and lawsuits together in your browser, you will find the number of lawsuits staggering. What originally promised to be a wonderful way for people to connect, and for businesses to grow their brands, is no longer the case. Criminal enterprise runs rampant in this world because automation and apps are guarding the hen house.
David only battled the Philistines and a giant. Maybe my story does merit biblical proportions. He never had to battle a tech giant.
~ Donnell
About the Author: Donnell Ann Bell writes both romantic suspense and multi-jurisdictional taskforce plots, Her single-title romantic suspense novels, The Past Came Hunting, Deadly Recall, Betrayed, and Buried Agendas, have been Amazon bestsellers. Published with Belle Books/Bell Bridge Books, Black Pearl, a Cold Case Suspense was her first mainstream suspense and book one of a series, and a Colorado Book Award finalist. Her second book in the series, Until Dead, A Cold Case Suspense, released in May of 2022, was voted best thriller in 2023 at the Imaginarium Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Donnell, I’m miserable over what you’ve gone through and are still going through. Thanks for sharing this succinct yet brilliant post.
Thank you, Barb!
Thanks for posting. Right on scary point.
Debra, I want people to know what they’re up against and why.
Hi Donnell: I’m so sorry you had to go through the whole mess with Facebook and Instagram. And I’m even more sad that you had to go through it while mourning the loss of your mother. I hope everything is settled now. Hugs.
Not settled, but the longer this goes on I find I’m more settled. Thanks for your condolences, my friend!
Donnell, you’ve been through hell. Having heard all of this from the beginning, it’s hard to believe it’s still ongoing. Or maybe not. As you’ve shown, FB doesn’t care about the people who have made them billionaires. Maybe they’d get the message if everyone on FB and Instagram deleted their accounts. Then the only people left would be scammers scamming each other.
Oh, Lois, what a perfect example of karma would that be. I’m not usually vengeful but Meta is seriously messed up!!!
What a nightmare! I read about a work camp in Myanmar where they entice young Asians from nearby countries to come for jobs or they are actually abducted by gangs. Once there, they are physical captives and abused if they don’t comply. Their “jobs” are to pretend to be someone on social media and lure people into either revealing information or participating in fake investments. That’s why so many posts have a foreign-sounding arrangement of English.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/17/world/asia/myanmar-cyber-scam.html
human-traffickers-force-victims-into-cyberscamming
Wow, TK, just wow, is there no end to this inhumanity and the vehicles we provide to enable it. Thank you for sharing.
Donnell, I’m so sorry you had to go through this! And thanks for sharing your story…it could happen to anyone. I appreciate your post!
Margaret, thank you. Now maybe I can get back to the world of writing!
Donnell,
I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this! Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m also so sorry to hear about your mom. Many hugs to you and you’re in my thoughts and prayers!
Kathleen, thank you! I think the more people are aware it helps. But business needs to make a concerted effort to help us, too, would you agree? Not just install more technology to try to stop it. Thank you for your lovely card, by the way!
Donnell, Thanks for sharing. I truly hope that you escape this mess soon.
Sadly, as you noted, scamming is very big business. And Meta is one of the many enablers who are profiting by letting the scammers run amuck. The enablers have no real interest in stopping the scammers. IMO it’s important to keep in mind that the DNA of Meta was flawed from the beginning. It started as a way to rank the women on campus. It was not started as a way to improve the world or build communities.
No matter how much lipstick…I mean philanthropy…it’s still a pig.
Melinda, what a point-on assessment. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your painful and horrifying experience. Makes me consider bailing from social media. I left once, and like you, was enticed back because it’s what authors “need” to do. Maybe not so much.
Catherine, I’m just not sure it’s worth the frustration anymore. Thanks for commiserating with me.
What a nightmare. And it sounds like you are getting zero help from Meta-world. And at this point its all just wildly out of our control. The blowback from what AI now could/will bring is truly terrifying.
wildly out of control Sue. I wish I could say I was the only one. This is an epidemic of criminal enterprise.
I can so relate! I was hacked by clicking on a message that I thought came from Meta because it was about an ad I’d been working on with a person via phone call. As soon as the first message, your password has been changed came through, I immediately went to my ads page and cancelled my means of payment. Then the message came my phone number had been changed and down the line with every piece of information I could use to get my account back. My author page is still there but I can’t access it. I had to make a new personal page which I keep for friends only and I had to make a new author page. I lost many book sales over the 7 months I refused to give them any of my information to get my author page back. I was hacked through a message that looked like it came from Meta why would I give them more information! I finally made a new author page but lost my 2k plus followers that were on the old one. I have 78 followers right now. But I can run my ads again because those were what were bringing in new readers for me. I HATE social media but I see where it is a must have if you want to find new readers. I feel your pain and anger!
Paty, you are so much braver than I am. I will never tie my financials to Meta again. Particularly when I can’t get support and my author page, though reported, does not fall into their limited tell us what happened. I have to hope that there are other ways for readers to discover us than Meta Platforms. Please keep me posted on how you’re doing. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Donnell, my gut hurts reading this and knowing the pain and anguish this caused. I wish there were ways to bring Meta to account. It is David/Donnell vs. Goliath. Unfortunately with AI it’s only going to get worse. Hugs.
Me too, Val. Thank you for your empathy. I’m doing much better and I think you’re right about AI.
Awesome and frightening post, Donnell. I’m so glad you had the courage and stamina to see this through as far as you can.
Thank you Thonie. There is life after Facebook. I miss my friends and contacts but I refuse to let this get me down. And I want it talked about. I’m definitely small potatoes no one should worry about but I’m by far not the only one. I want people to come forward.
Donnell, you and I are members of the same undesirable club. I was hacked several weeks ago, and I have found no way to resolve the issue. FB is non responsive, as is Instagram and Threads. Worse case I can’t even sign in to change my password or reach anyone. All attempts have led me back to an informative page about what to do if you’re hacked, but with no possible resolution. I actually think we have a class action suit in the making against FB. My FB page was vital to the promotion of my latest books and now I can’t even reach out to my readers or fans to let them know what happened.
Dear Not a FB Fan. Can you contact me private via my webpage? Thanks. I’m so sorry. You are correct; we are not alone.
Yikes, what a mess! I think that my account being hacked might be the end of my time on Facebook, much as I love it for keeping in touch with family and readers.
Virtual hugs!!
Kass
It certainly warrants discussion, Kass.
This is horrible. I’m so sorry you have to go through this.We all think it won’t happen to us…until it does.l
Carl, the blinders have certainly come off in my case. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Donnell, thanks for the much needed if horribly stressful reality check. I went on FB (which I almost never use anymore) and changed my password immediately! What an ordeal my friend, I’m so sorry! Like you and many other writers I primarily use FB/Meta/whatever to promote my books. I don’t know what’s better. Twitter, now “X” aka the sociopath’s ego extension, is a dumpster fire. Can you tell how much I love social media?! Best of luck to you getting this resolved.
Merit, if I can’t resolve it, I can alert others. Thanks for your feedback!
Thank you for sharing your nightmare in such detail.
Thank you, Deb. I want people to see a bigger picture of what a hack entails.