The good news: This story has a happy ending, and I want to share my experience so you can avoid it!
What’s Mercury got to do with it?
Instagram security measures
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Pick a strong password
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Update your password (and keep it secret)
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Keep your email account secure
Turns out, my Yahoo email account was also compromised, so that was most likely how my Instagram account was taken over. Protecting your email account with a strong password is a sure way to protect your Instagram account.
What to do if your Instagram gets hacked
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You need access to your email or Facebook account to request a password reset. This was a problem for me since my Yahoo email account had also been impacted. Therefore, my only recourse was to submit a report to Instagram several times a day until I got a response. There is not a number to call to get a person on the other end of the line to provide support.
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Instagram will request proof of ownership for the page. If you have a personal Instagram page, this won’t be as challenging as it was for me since you most likely have several documents that show your name as it is reflected on Instagram. If you have an Instagram page for your business, be sure you have the proper documentation to back up your ownership. I used my New York tax id document as proof of ownership, since then I have created an LLC to protect the “SchulmanArt” brand as I realized I had nothing documenting SchulmanArt as a legal entity.
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Be diligent with your efforts to contact Instagram support. I was submitting reports multiple times a day for the entire month.
Now that I have regained access to my Instagram account, I would be so honored to have you follow my page at schulmanart. That would make my efforts battling the tech snafus of Mercury in retrograde worth it.
click HERE to follow me on instagram!
Other blog posts you might like
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5 reasons you are losing followers on instagram.
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5 Most Popular Instagram Pics of 2014
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6 Reasons Why I Follow You on Instagram!
About Me (Miriam Schulman)
Miriam Schulman, founder of The Inspiration Place |
In case we haven’t met yet, I’m an artist and founder of The Inspiration Place, where I help other artists learn how to profit from their passion. Through online classes, business coaching programs, and a top-ranked podcast, I’ve helped thousands of artists around the world develop their skill sets and create more time and freedom to do what they love. My signature coaching program, The Artist Incubator, helps artists go from so-so sales to sold-out collections.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and M.I.T, I initially pursued finance but after witnessing 9/11, I abandoned a lucrative hedge fund job to work on my art full time. Since then, my art and my story have been featured in major publications including Forbes, The New York Times, Art of Man, Art Journaling magazine as well as featured on NBC’s “Parenthood” and the Amazon series “Hunters” with Al Pacino. My forthcoming book with HarperCollins Leadership on how to make it as an artist is scheduled to be released January 31, 2023. When I’m not in the studio, you can find me hanging out with my husband, adult kids, and a tuxedo cat named Ebony. I’d love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for art lovers (of every passion level) at schulmanart.com/freebies