Can my Ancestry account be hacked?

[ChrissieL]

In the last week I have had 3 messages on Ancestry that I am concerned about. The messages are not abusive and are not asking for money but they are nothing to do with family history....just things like 'how's it going'.  I wondered if anyone else had anything similar and wondered if an Ancestry account could be hacked
Chris

[BushInn1746]

If you have a Tree or hidden Tree on Anc., I suppose anyone could come accross your profile name easily and press contact?

I suppose Ancestry could check and block unwanted messages or time wasters?

Remember, don't click on any links those messages or emails suggest.

Same as a home phone (Landline), never press any buttons during an incoming or unknown telephone call, or anything suspicious or unexpected, even if they claim to be reputable.

Added
I won't give any information to anyone on an incoming call, because if I don't recognise their voice, I don't know the heck who they really are.

Even government workers, companies and company employees, loose or have laptops and discs stolen etc.

Same as recycling, never put anything out you could be recognised by, such as name address, tax, N.I. number, D of Birth, etc., even with your Account or Charity Membership Number on.
Cut it out first or shread it.

[ChrissieL]

Thanks for the reply. I do have a tree on Ancestry, so like you say, anyone could contact me. I definitely wouldn't click on any links and there is a facility to me to block people who message.  I think I will try and contact Ancestry just to make them aware
Chris

[Biggles50]

You can make your tree Private with options it to be (1) found in a search but not viewable or (2) totally private.

You can turn off Messaging and even Block certain members.

Do take a look through each topic in your Ancestry Account for more details.

[ChrissieL]

Thank you Biggles50.  I will review the privacy options on my main tree.  I have more than one tree on Ancestry and I do have all the privacy options ticked on the smaller trees as they are my 'working models' so I don't want anyone looking at them and taking the information as true because some of it I am still researching.  I think I will turn off the messaging for a while.  I very rarely use it.

Thanks for your help
Chris

[Stanwix England]

I would maybe change your password, just to be on the safe side.

However what you are describing sounds like it could be a scam to me.

It might be that this is someone using ancestry to try a romance/flirting scam.

If that is the case, it won't be anything to do with your settings or your account, the scammers will just have set up an account and will be contacting as many people as possible to see if something sticks.

I get lots of these across multiple platforms and accounts. Even once on a scrabble game! It's crazy, but it's big business so people will try it.

[ChrissieL]

Thank you for your help.  I have now blocked the messaging service, at least for a while.  I noticed the users who contacted me were supposedly members who had just joined (Nov 2023).  I tried to report it to Ancestry using the live chat but I had to give up as after half an hour I was still waiting!

Anyway, hopefully I won't get any more problems

Thanks again
Chris

[california dreamin]

Why don't you try and message Ancestry via private social media messaging. These companies are usually more responsive via this route.

CD

[ChrissieL]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.  Keeping my fingers crossed 

Chris