Your loved one has departed this mortal world for the ethereal place that lies beyond. But online, they live on as digital ghosts, their cyber eternity assured by ghost hacking. As more and more people pass away, it’s projected that online profiles of the dead will soon outnumber those of the living, especially on Facebook. And those profiles are a target-rich environment for hackers and scammers.
Ghost hackers search for online memorials and death notices of people who have just passed away. Then they hack into that person’s email and social media accounts because they know you are mourning the loss and not monitoring the deceased’s accounts looking for suspicious activity.
They’re looking for enough personal information to access the dead individual’s bank and financial accounts or enough information to open credits cards or take out loans in the deceased’s name. The most current numbers show that 1.4 million cases of identity fraud are reported each year costing internet users more than $10.2 billion.
If you are responsible for a deceased relative’s social media
Hackers target Facebook in particular because it has become the social media of choice of older Americans. There are two ways to secure a Facebook account.
Memorialize the account
Log in to the Facebook website
- Click on the profile photo on the top right of your screen (on desktop) or on bottom right (on your mobile device) and select “help & support” in the drop-down menu (on desktop) or lower on the page (on mobile)
- Click on Help Center
- In the help center, use the search bar to search memorialize request
- Select the option that helps you best
- A Facebook form will appear that lets you memorialize a loved one’s page. All you need to do is provide some basic information and documentation.
Request that Facebook delete your relative’s account
If you don’t want your relative’s Facebook account to remain online after their death, request that Facebook delete the account permanently. This will remove from Facebook the profile, photos, posts, comments, and messages.
You will need proof of death, such as a death certificate, obituary, or memorial card. You will also have to prove that you have authority to make the request, things like a will, a letter of testamentary and a birth certificate. The request gets submitted here. If your request meets Facebook criteria, the account will be deleted. Keep in mind, it may take a while.
There are other actions you can take to secure Facebook and other social media accounts.
- Create strong passwords
- Don’t use the same password for multiple online accounts. This will prevent hackers from getting into multiple accounts even if they breach one.
- Use a password manager to store and generate complex passwords. The password manager helps you create hard-to-crack passwords a hacker would never guess. A password manager can help you update passwords regularly and delete accounts that are no longer used.
- Use 2-factor authentication. 2FA requires you to enter a code sent to you phone or email whenever you log in. A hacker may get your relative’s password, but they won’t be able to log in without the second factor.
- Report suspicious activity to Facebook as soon as possible. Suspicious activity may include messages, posts, comments, or friend requests that seem out of character, inappropriate, or malicious. These may be signs that your relative’s account has been hacked, compromised, or impersonated by someone who wants to exploit their identity or reputation.
- Use antivirus protection. It’s a good way to be alerted of malware in your system.
If you know before a loved one passes that you’ll be responsible for handling their social media accounts after they’re gone, work with them to create a digital assets inventory. List their email and social media accounts, the username and password for each of those accounts and any restrictions placed on those accounts. And, as part of the process, ask your loved one what they want done with those accounts—do they want them memorialized or shut down. This will make your job easier when it’s time for you to take over.
Disclaimer
This information is presented for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any investment products. None of the information herein constitutes an investment recommendation, investment advice or an investment outlook. The opinions and conclusions contained in this report are those of the individual expressing those opinions. This information is non-tailored, non-specific information presented without regard for individual investment preferences or risk parameters. Some investments are not suitable for all investors, all investments entail risk and there can be no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. This information is based on sources believed to be reliable and Alhambra is not responsible for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions of information. For more information contact Alhambra Investment Partners at 1-888-777-0970 or email us at [email protected].
