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BS756's avatar
BS756
Just joined
4 days ago

Hacked ntlworld email addresses not completely closed.

Hello. Both my husband and I have ntlworld email addresses. After more than 30 years as loyal customers, we had to leave as we moved house to an area without Virgin Media. On leaving, we were not told our email accounts would close after 90 days. In any event, my husband lost use of his email address before the 90 days, whilst mine ceased after 5 months.  Both our accounts were hacked around the point of losing access to them. I was sent an email giving my email password, and attempting to blackmail me demanding Bitcoin. Currently, emails sent to our old ntlworld email addresses do not come back with an undelivered error message; this would suggest they are not completely closed. We want both accounts completely closed down, but have just been told by Virgin Media that the accounts are 'suspended' and that no one can use them. It was not true, as I had hacking emails sent to me after the date and time the account was 'suspended'. Can anyone help?

2 Replies

  • Kath_P's avatar
    Kath_P
    Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team
    3 days ago

    Hi BS756, 

    Thanks for taking the time to contact us via the Community. It's lovely having you on board with us in the Forums. ⭐

    We're sorry to hear the accounts were hacked. When the email access is restricted, there is a small timeframe before the addresses are suspended. This is too allow anyone to get in touch to re-attach it to an existing Virgin media account. Once this time frame has passed, the addresses are then usually deleted automatically. 

    As this hasn't happened in your case, we can raise a ticket to the IT Team, to get the email addresses permanently deleted. In order to do that I'll need to confirm some information with you to pass security so I've sent you a direct message to allow us to do this with you in a private space. Just click on the little ✉ at the top right-hand side of the page to access your inbox. :)

    Many thanks, 

  • 用心棒's avatar
    用心棒
    Very Insightful Person
    3 hours ago
    BS756 wrote:

    … Both our accounts were hacked around the point of losing access to them. I was sent an email giving my email password, and attempting to blackmail me demanding Bitcoin. …

    This form of threatening communication is a common tactic used by miscreants to extort victims. To improve the likelihood of success the miscreant will deploy a psychological ruse by including information that they have obtained elsewhere to imply truth and/or risk from other things mentioned in the communication. For example, the miscreant may quote an old or current password that the victim uses or used to use.

    For further advice see Report a phishing attempt | Action Fraud

    FWIW  it is likely just a coincident that the miscreant target the email address soon after you lost access. If the password quoted was also used elsewhere then it is important it be changed ASAP.