2 months back phone was stolen. ATT stopped service etc. Now it would seem it’s been opened and getting message about they’ve got all my info and if I would be nice enough to give them the codes to erase everything so it can be sold on black market, without compromising my security.

Well that sure ain’t happening. But what is at risk? Card numbers were changed instantly, I didn’t change bank account numbers though.

The fact they want pass codes makes me believe they don’t have the access they need. But what do they have? I’m going to change bank account numbers. Are all my remembered passwords at risk?

From my understanding, it's a scam.

From your iCloud account, put it in lost mode and change your iCloud account password. It's fucked from there.

Use your find my feature and go tune them up a bit.

Could you use "find my phone" to find it?

The "find my" application also has a lost phone mode to enable additional protection. Have you turned this feature on?

The messages you’re getting are iMessages?

Did you have FaceID set up? If so I’m surprised that they could know your number.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
The messages you’re getting are iMessages?

Did you have FaceID set up? If so I’m surprised that they could know your number.

that’s pretty much what I thought.

Offer to meet up to buy it back. Send the police instead.

quote:

Originally posted by berto:
Offer to meet up to buy it back. Send the police instead.

It would appear the phone is currently in China if Apple find my chit is to be believed

Brick it.

Do you mind sharing how the phone was stolen?

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:

quote:

Originally posted by berto:
Offer to meet up to buy it back. Send the police instead.

It would appear the phone is currently in China if Apple find my chit is to be believed

That's a VPN.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
Do you mind sharing how the phone was stolen?

By a sneaker

Answering a few of you. I’m pretty sure I “bricked” the thing a couple months ago, but now I’m questioning myself. The fact there have been a couple email notifications from “Apple” telling me my find my phone app needs my secret code to do some sort of function, plus this mornings iMessage. The message mentions the theft, and that it’s been hooked to the internet in China and that this person wants to clean out all my personal info (because he has my best interests at heart)so he can sell it on the black market with a clear conscience I guess. They sent me instructions on which buttons to push pretty much like what you all have told me, pretty much not exactly. They left out the part where you push the erase everything button.

But Reflex how pray tell did your shit get stolen? So now I’ll divulge my stupidity, threw the phone on the dash, left all my personal belongings except wallet in my “purse”, truck keys house keys work keys Bose ear buds, nice leatherman, lots of stuff $1000 isn’t a bad replacement cost estimate. Left the doors unlocked at the Walmart on Capital St Milwaukee, WI. I don’t do that anymore.

I have developed a theory that they got plenty of info about my phone situation from the recent ATT data breaches. They don’t have my phone, but if given those pass codes they could figure out some other way to f’ me remotely. The bank assured me that I have nothing to worry about, I’m on the list of watch out for this guy. Local bank 2 branches #1 kid has worked there for over a decade, I’m known by sight as #1’s dad by everyone.

I should think online Apple support would be able to tell you if it is truly bricked.

It ain't in no China. They are using a VPN.
The emergency call feature displays the number when it's locked.

Tell them to Venmo you $500 and you'll let them unlock it.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
It ain't in no China. They are using a VPN.
The emergency call feature displays the number when it's locked.

Tell them to Venmo you $500 and you'll let them unlock it.

Damn such a simple thing I forgot completely that you can do that. I’m likely dealing with a Jedi tweaker then. I do appreciate your input.

This happened to me. I bricked it and ignored every message.

Through iCloud, Apple has an option to erase your phone or at least they used to. I think there is a stolen option that not only will erase it but may also brick it. The only problem is whoever stole it has to connect it to the internet.

I would ignore them or respond with. I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.

Too bad you can't pull a "pager" on these jerks.

You’ve probably seen this and done as they suggest, but here’s what apple says to do if your phone is lost/stolen:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/120837