Getting Hacked Sucks: A word of Warning

Here is a warning to everyone. When you receive a DM on Twitter, do not click the link, even if it is from someone you know or somebody with a blue checkmark. Tuesday night, I received a DM from Tim Brando, the Fox College Sports announcer. He asked me for a favor, and I was happy to oblige. I clicked on a link to sign the petition he asked me to sign and found out that I had lost access to my Twitter account a few hours later. 

It was a rough night watching the Mets come back from down 8-2 only to suffer a devastating loss, as Edwin Diaz vanished and the real Edlose Diaz emerged. I was lucky that Barstool helped me regain my account after 12 hours, but the damage was done. I noticed the hacker was using my account, much like he used Tim Brando to get other people. It would appear that the hacker is targeting verified accounts on Twitter, as I saw that he had sent out dozens of similar messages to other verified accounts. This included barstool co-workers, media members, reality show personalities, and athletes, including Luis Guillorme. 

The lesson here is one that I should have known, do not click on anything. I thought that Tim Brando was reaching out to me for some help. I should have asked myself why would Tim Brando be contacting me. I have had my Twitter DM's open and have been ready to talk with anyone who contacts me. I may have to consider closing my DMs in the future. I am devastated, I am hurt, and I am traumatized by losing Twitter as I had to use Coach Duggs to send out my Mets thoughts; I think after riding my warped mind during a Mets meltdown, he is traumatized too. Duggs is also upset he lost 100 followers on Twitter, so if you stopped following him, it is safe to return now that I appear to be back on Twitter.  

It appears my account is back, though it was hairy as I was given a new account this morning with no history, no followers, and no tweets. I am fortunate to get it back, having learned a hard lesson. I view many of my followers as friends, and they help keep me going. It was a scare that I may have needed to be more careful, but now I have to worry did this create the Mets' Twitter curse; ugh, the pain never ends. 

Also, if you received a DM from me between 7:30 last night and noon today, ignore it.