Lucy Playford, who runs the Harrogate Mama blog and social media channels, has been left devastated after scammers tricked their way into her Instagram account and demanded money to hand it back.
Ms Playford provides updates on family life in the town and visits to local businesses to her 6,000 followers on Instagram.
After recently changing social media software, she received an email from what she thought was Meta, the owner of Instagram, asking to verify her account.
The blogger typed in her username and password and was then locked out the next day. This type of crime is known as phishing.
She then received a WhatsApp message from the scammers blackmailing her.
Ms Playford said:
“I was really shocked and upset, I was devastated really. It’s like a theft of anything but it’s a theft of my family’s memories over the last six years.”
After receiving the message she then blocked the number:
“I just thought don’t engage with them, it’s like all hostage takers, don’t negotiate”.
Messages from the scammers
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Ms Playford has reported the crime to North Yorkshire Police and Instagram, but so far has had no success in getting her account back, and she fears it may now be lost forever.
The blogger has set up a new account (instagram.com/HarrogateMamaLucy) where she hopes her old followers will find her.
She said:
“My main following was on Instagram, I like to champion local Harrogate businesses and lots of people followed me for a long time but they have been left wondering where I am. It’s hard”.
Ms Playford has urged social media users to be vigilant against scammers.
“My main advice would be to set up two-factor identification. Also have a password that is not easy to hack.”
