topic Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone in Security

Suspected phone hacking / clone

LC01 — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 05:47:49 GMT

Good day, wondering if anyone has any advice. I am steadily having issues with my accounts being hacked Ive been told my someone not to do anything on my phone. I have three neighbours who have been stalking, harassing, discrimination of sexuality / disability, defamation of character, disinformation, sleep deprivation and possibly even sharing explicit content of me online. I have notified police doing as much as I can against this torture. Is there a way to find out if says my camera is compromised? Feels pointless constantly changing my password. I understand a new phone, sim and number is probably the best, but I only change it a year ago, as something similar happened. Does EE insurance cover or such incidents? I look after my phone it's fine too. Total effort, I am not great with tech either. Also seeking legal advice, taking, its toll on my health and having to move house again, pure hell. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

Peter_W — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:13:31 GMT

Good morning @LC01, welcome back to the Community!

I can tell that you're really concerned here, but your phone's software and functionality being hacked or compromised is extremely unlikely.

Normally you will need to install a specific app on your phone that allows this to happen, and deleting this or running a scan through a reputable security app such as Norton can identify any issues here.

Your personal accounts are a bit different though, and if you suspect any unauthorised access then you've definitely made the right choice in changing your passwords.

What model of phone is it you're using, and what specifically have you notice to make you think that this is happening?

Peter

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

Chris_B — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 10:08:30 GMT

@LC01 I would also change your WiFi password on your router. If you’re still unsure about your device the best option would be to factory reset it and set it up from scratch. Do not restore the device from any backup you might have. Make sure you have everything you need from that back up, ie photos, text messages anything you want to keep. Then delete that back up so you don’t use it.

I also find it highly unlikely your device has been compromised by these individuals.

Check your apps and make sure you know what’s installed on it.

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

LC01 — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 15:00:42 GMT

Thank you, yes, it may be extremely unlikely but not inconceivable and impossible. Also, it is not just these individuals I have been up against.

I have a google pixle 6 pro. Real effort doing all that back up, but I will. Good on the wifi too, I will look into how to do that right now.

Thanks of your help Peter

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

LC01 — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 15:01:18 GMT

oops my bad I mixed two replies up. not doing great here

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

LC01 — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 15:02:49 GMT

Thanks Chris thats a good shout thats what i'll do. PS. where there's a will there's a way, evil has no limits.

Thank you

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

Roo_ — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 02:34:56 GMT

Hi my phone is cloned I'm in an abusive relationship and I now no he has been paid to help my x and his partners family they constantly follow me have put explicit videos of me online and I would like some Advice on how to keep my phone safe i am going to the police when I can I appreciate any tips on how to get these parasites off my phone.

Thanks

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

Peter_W — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:22:14 GMT

Welcome to the Community, @Roo_

This sounds like such an awful situation, and thanks for having the courage to reach out to us here.

Just to start with, there is specialist support available for these kind of situations, so if you haven't already I'd definitely recommend checking out the pages below:

Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Domestic violence and abuse - getting help - Citizens Advice

You've also absolutely done the right thing in contacting the Police, too.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, direct phone hacking is incredibly uncommon, but we want to be sure you feel confident on your phone's security.

For a first port of call, it's worth having a check of the device for the following:

Any apps that you're not familiar with or didn't install yourself
Google accounts / Apple IDs signed in that aren't yours
Email accounts that you don't recognise

If you haven't already I'd recommend changing any passwords linked with your genuine accounts, and make sure your handset is fully up to date, too.

Take care,

Peter

Re: Suspected phone hacking / clone

Chris_B — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:21:52 GMT

@Roo_ To clone a phone the person who cloned it will have needed physical access to the phone. You need to check that you’re not sharing your location with anyone ( what phone is it ). And you most definitely need to report this to the police as the sharing of explicit images without your consent is a crime. Check what apps are installed on the device and remove any you’re not familiar with.