Hello everyone. As many of you know, I was recently cyberattacked. Let's get into it. I am going to COMPLETELY spill the beans here. Many things have come to light that are nothing short of "fishy" when it comes to the steemit user @clivemartin who touts himself as some sort of "affiliate marketer." I first "met" this clive character a couple months back must've been right when this profile of his started in December 2017.
My first interactions with this steemit user were on Facebook as he was in my group, Steemit Dreamit, that for security reasons is currently archived.
Wasn't long before I was getting some message from CLIVE that he couldn't post his links on Facebook because "Facebook had blocked" him from posting about steemit because it was driving too much "traffic" away from Facebook.
Makes some sense and I am sure FB is NOT a fan of all the steemit links from thousands of steemers who promote their links on Facebook. I was more or less like "oh, okay sorry that sucks", and more or less forgot about it. I did NOT assist "Clive Martin" in posting his links up on FB by the way because, as much as I like to help up and coming steemers, posting their links is NOT my job.
Over time I seemed to encounter this user more frequently. I started supporting him on @eastcoaststeem steem which as many of you know is (or was) my baby here on Steemit, a manual curation account for primarily east coast steemians with the hopes of east coast meetups down the line.
My interpretation of "east coast" is YES broad considering that there's only one other regional specific steemit curation account that I am aware of and that is @rockymountainsteem. Michigan doesn't really fit into either of those regions so I picked clive up over there.
I made this little funky diagram here which is very basic but basically to show the multiple ways in which this steemian "knew" or was acquainted with ME, @chelsea88.
Earlier I mentioned Clive was into some "affiliate marketing." This was where this scam artist GOT me. By the way here's some screenshots from his Facebook profile and his page on Facebook "follow clive Martin."
Because there's SO many ways to shortcut genuine success right? I will mention at this point I was not friends with him on Facebook and outside my group on Facebook, Steemit Dreamit, I don't do a whole lot of Facebook. And some delightful scammy spamitis here for you from his other "follow clive Martin" page....
I'll also mention at this point that prior to being hacked I didn't know he had this page.
Just prior to being hacked, I posted about some of the abuse going on here on steemit:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@chelsea88/why-it-is-a-good-idea-to-reinvent-the-wheel-sometimes-warning-major-rant-calling-for-a-whale-wake-up
Clive had a lot to say:
The "affiliate" product was my nutraceuticals hemp paste that I had been linking in the bottom of some of my posts. I bought into their company last fall and do have the ability to sell their products. I may mention I've had no sales to date but that's neither here no there because I DON'T CARE! I would have bought in anyway because it gives me 20% off their products that I FULLY recommend whether you buy under me or directly through my nutra.
SO that's where this is ON ME for engaging with him heavily the night of the first (3/1). By "heavily" I am referring to a "video chat" that no sound would come through so I disconnected and just spoke on the phone with him.
Turns out that was an international call! That even after much discussion with Verizon, resulted in a $500 cell phone bill for me this month.
SO HOW DOES THAT RELATE BACK TO STEEMIT? By MARCH 3RD,I couldn't get on my steemit with my key or come to find out, NONE of my keys. I then proceeded to go immediately to reset my keys, having suspected the worse at this point, through stolen accounts recovery.
I guess it was the "perfect storm." I was already paranoid enough. There was a period that i looked at my steemit profile and it said but reputation was "zero" so that didn't help. Icons on my phone were changing around and my device was acting weird.
It was around this time my I lost access to my email account so there went me getting back into my steemit account. This was around the 5th of March at this point.
This email (gmail account) was linked to:
A. Facebook
B. Steemit
C. My cell phone was the two step verification for BOTH GMAIL & FB
It was around this time I was really losing it, mentally. I started doubting just about everything and everybody because this reminded me of a real life time in my teens MANY years ago where I was stalked "IRL." I also have PTSD.
I started having dreadful panic attacks. I spent a day in the local "crisis" center. By the 5th-7th I had no access to my primary gmail or Facebook.
During that time it came to my attention my entire home WIFI was also hacked of Nigerian origin. Interesting. I guess my hacker thought that would be cute.
You can change your origin IP fairly easily. That cost $444 usd to correct to correct this hack. My wifi is now completely secure.
Local police were involved because of the key words "hacked" and "previously stalked." I was advised to change my phone number.
Daily I became more and more hopeless of getting my steemit back which by the way was back at my "normal" rep of 59.
Why was I concerned? Because I couldn't get into my primary email. Two IT specialists not on steemit and one of which is a family friend informed me the email appeared to have been blacklisted.
Blacklisted is NOT DELETED it just means gmail doesn't want you in your account right now because of reports of SCAM from your account.
So I went through the tedious, TEDIOUS gmail account recovery. Once "through" I realized, hmmm, gotta have my old number back for the two step verification process.
No there is NO way around it. That's why google is so "secure." I tried my backup email too by the way and that was fruitless because gmail STILL couldn't "verify" that it was actually me.
Like magic once I changed my number back, I was quickly back onto my gmail and subsequently steemit. It took nearly three weeks.
I learned that steemit sent the account recovery on the 8th. I guess the hacker was booted from my account by then because it worked fine.
To all of you out there who were questioning me about my keys, I had them all. This wasn't a question of KEYS. That's all I'm going to say about that.
Me being at the crisis center resulted in being let go at my job by the way. Even though it was medically and might I say legally justified I was in my first 90 days in an at will place of employment.
A precursory look on @clivemartins steemit page is interesting. He acts like he is some amazing sax player yet sure doesn't post much about that!
A peak into the wallet and you will see @alesno1 seems to be "friends" with clive.
@alesno1 is a bull shit account by the way. Here's their intro post:
Anyone who really knows me on Steemit knows I don't do upvote for upvote. It is not how you're going to get an organic following on here!!
Clive painted himself as the steemian who was against follow for follow! Otherwise he would've never gotten into my group, steemit dreamit. On steemit dreamit, the afore mentioned now archived Facebook page, one had to answer questions regarding organic followings etc and that was reviewed by me.
I've found some more sketchy stuff but what I've told you here is all factual as it relates to ME personally.
I have also as late as March 18th (so just a few days ago) had SOMEONE trying to sign my gmail onto "zaif" which is some CRYPTO EXCHANGE site I'VE NEVER HEARD OF. The individual had also made my cryptopia account be locked as they had tried to hack into it through MY email.
Very clever, clive!! Let's just call him "Clever Clive."
I hope @steemcleaners can look into some of this. I would hate for anyone else to have these same problems. I wouldn't wish this crap on my worst enemy. Except for my HACKER maybe. This POS doesn't belong on steemit.
The afore mentioned @alesno1 seems to be a VERY PHISHY account too. Here's a look at what his entire wallet looks like:
Alright that's going to wrap this up. Don't talk to strangers kids!
Wow! There are so many people ripping off steemians now... I don't get it, Steem is down. Why do it now, why not back when it was way up? It is almost like they just want to break morale around here, even if they don't make that much for their antics.
So sorry for the anxiety attacks and all the bullshit they bring along for the ride.
Yeah, exactly! Thanks for the comment and I think the worst part about this was how the person took the time to like get to know me then bam. SURPRISE! It is very demoralizing and goes to show the general state of affairs this world is in.
@chelsea88 wake up sort this out you have no reason blame me im here. You have never once approached me or told me instead your randomly slagging me of what's up. Im just as annoyed as you are cos look at you wrongly accussing. How would you feel been bleamed publically for some thing you havent done. You want my address and IP address give it to your police that can certainley be arranged but im not going to sit here having my name wrongfully accused and you makinhg me out to be a scammer that is deformation of character and you seemed to be a good jusdge of character how on earth did i get blamed fpr what ever happened to me. You never spoke to me on a phjone call. We tried discord wee tried skype and we tried a google hangout. I never gave you a mobile number to ring at any point. Why would you ring me when it was me who needed help. how could i be that clever to hack your account?
That sucks, sorry to hear that.
Thanks, have a good day
Ho-ly-shit! What a horror story, @chelsea88! I'm so sorry that you had to go through all this horrible experience. Though I'm glad you managed to recover your gmail and steemit accounts, but still sad that you lost your job because of it.
At the same time, let me express my great respect and admiration for ploughing through the recovery process, which is something... something I can't even imagine doing. Like we're all so used to clicking a button (actually just the mouse button, but while the cursor happens to be on a virtual image of a button) and expecting something to happen. Once it does not... well, it's comparable to setting a glass down on the table, only to see it fly up and getting smashed to the ceiling. It's so unlikely that once it happens you (that is me) wouldn't even even know how to explain it, not to mention resolve it.
I remember seeing in your last post a mention regarding secondary e-mail for recovery. What's your recommendation on that? Though that may be coming up in your next post, if I remember correctly.
Hey there thanks for the comment. Yes it really does fuck with everything. Yeah i had a recovery email linked with my primary email. But with steemit you can only recover your steemit account on the email you signed up under.
With gmail i basically was not going to get access to said email regardless of a backup email unless i had my phone number because i had set that up as part of the two step verification.
So in theory i could've regained access to my email with only the secondary backup email but since i had set it up "extra secure" with Also the phone number that changed things.
Hope that makes some sense.
Well that SUX! Freakin scammers :| Ya'all need to GET A LIFE ALREADY! Leave people alone, and do your scamming on another platform... or better yet become a decent human being... Just sayin! That's my 2 cents worth of opinion. Have a great day.
Thanks bud. Just tryna spread the word. You were pretty helpful on @eastcoaststeem hopefully can recover it
We will prevail, in one way or another my friend! :-)
Thx 😀
Scary stuff! So sorry you had to go through that, but glad you're back now. I missed you.
Thanks. I missed you too and it's def good to be back
Didn't you run Steemit Dreamit? Did that totally go away in this whole mess? It would explain why tons of posts suddenly got approved all at once, but not why the group seems to be gone.
Yes i did run steemit dreamit. The group is archived temporarily. I plan to get it back up and running soon though. =) you were a great member to have so I'll definitely ensure we have you back in the fold. =)
Cool. I'm so glad to hear it will be coming back! I was worried that maybe I had posted too many links or something - but you have put my mind to rest.
No!! Prior to archival i had set it on the setting where people's posts had to be approved. You were fine. :)
No worries!
Interesting thanks for sharing
Yeah be careful
A great article and a really great picture
You should read it. Might help you out one day
lol
We all like to think of ourselves as too smart to get scammed. People think of scamming as a little old grandmother believing a lawyer has contacted her from a Gmail account to tell her about an inheritance from a long-lost relative.
We don't think about the wolves in sheep's clothing. The wolves who befriend us, offer to helps us, tell us about their personal lives, and make us believe they are good people with our best interests in mind.
I am very sorry you have been hacked. This experience must have been very traumatizing. Thank-you for reaching out to others and making them aware.
Please do not lose trust in the world.
Thanks @bitkat
I'm really hoping you learned a valuable lesson, stay safe.
Why would this be funny to you? Grow the fuck up.
No I just think you are funny. Why are you video calling someone who is an obvious scumbag.
There are 1000s of these assholes on everysite.
Then you're mean to me one of your authentic supporters 😤😤😤
You need to read the entire post and maybe catch up on all my posts while you're at it if you're going to actually laugh at someone uou don't know. I only started seeing YOU comment in my posts YESTERDAY so it's not like I've known you for the entirety of my time here on steemit or any length of time that actually matters. Also postimg your comment twice doesnt increase my likelihood of seeing it
Obviously it was an accident to post twice.
I did read it. And I didn't mean it like that!
And it's comments like YOURS that make me think I really need to go for a jog :/
Let me butt in here... People who suffer anxiety attacks get laughed at, a LOT, when we are "freaking out" and it is not at all funny to us. It hurts. We are already told we are crazy, often coupled with "bitch" if we are female, and we are doing the best we can. Most of the time, we are just people. When our adrenal function tells us we are under attack, our brains HAVE to find the threat. That is the PRIMARY job of our big, fat brains... So take your jog, and maybe consider throwing a little bit of "I apologize for the misunderstanding" into the mix... rather than dogpile on someone who is already struggling?
@chelsea88 I'm sorry 😔💚
I appreciate that a lot @fishyculture
Um okay have a fantastic jog.
No I just think you are funny. Why are you video calling someone who is an obvious scumbag.
There are 1000s of these assholes on everysite.
Then you're mean to me one of your authentic supporters 😤😤😤
Last time I checked, tact was still a thing. And this is not even remotely funny at all. Show some support. And yes there are a ton of scammers every where on the net. And no one can know when they are going to get hacked, so do not come crying if it's your turn at having a terrible experience.
Um right? Thx @inthenow
All's well that ends well. Sorry for this rotten adventure you had. Stick to those you trust.
Absolutely thanks.
Wow! There are so many people ripping off steemians now... I don't get it, Steem is down. Why do it now, why not back when it was way up? It is almost like they just want to break morale around here, even if they don't make that much for their antics.
So sorry for the anxiety attacks and all the bullshit they bring along for the ride.
OUCH!!!
I don't fully understand how he was able to take over your everything....still new to ALL this. I've never done any social media, only okay at even using a computer, never created any content.... complete newbie. But I love people and I'm hoping to use this platform to help people at some point. ::)
It IS a very complicated & convoluted story. Not really a simple way of telling it. You can certainly use this platform to help others though. Let me know if you have any questions
Okay. Thank you so much. Oh and I'm glad to see that situation didn't harden you up like it does some people. Just stay on your defenses and continue to love. ::)
Thanks, I was a pretty grouchy bear about it but no point. Live & let live, but proceed with caution
What is he talking about? And why is he talking to me?😬
I have no idea
Nor do i which is why me the accused is only just finding out about it and wondering why i was never told. Ive messaged a moderator and I hope @chelsea you clear my name cos im gutted im not running or hiding so explain how your dilema is my fault. i got you down as a helpful person. Why am I been accused does my account look like ive hacked you can anyone help to investigate this. Every computer has an IP address and mine can clearly be traced back to Uk . You had me on a contact on FB of which I have been a member of for a good 11 years im on several social media platforms way before you were even old enough to open an account on any of them. If i was a hacker there would be no trace of me anywhere. If you had have come to me messaged me you would have seen me just as upset as you cos i genuinely appretiated the help
shit chelsea what is all this about i cant believe it please skyp me and chat to me asap I really am shocked by this thers nothing i have to hoide what is this.??
I am only just seeing this now because my brother Ben Martin has pointed it out. i have only just come back to steemit after having a hard time with my girlfriend suffering from cancer. Who ever is responsible for this has obviously some how painted me in a mad picture. At no point has anyone come to me and told me about this wasnt even aware what the hellis this?
honestly done my head in this im not from michigan its never said that. You have someone on your comments that know i speak with a pure english accent and eevn my mother here in England has brought this post to my attention i want my name clearing how on earth can you blame me??