Last night I became the victim of a hack attack on my xbox live account.
Someone using a "fake" xbox live link, while logged into a friends account that had also fallen victim of this, obtained my xbox live details. Then logged into my account, deleated / changed my details and used the debit card (my partners) attached to buy 5000 microsoft points to spend on my account. And then started to attempt to download games from the new games on demand feature using the debit card directly.

Thankfully I was relitively on the ball , Knew almost right away what had happened. And started running around sorting things as best I could.

Luckly The week before all this happened I changed my contact email on xbox.com to my current email. contentnocontext@yahoo.com.

So instead of getting the details of the spending to the theifs account I was able to track the movements of said thief.

Also My girlfriends account happens to be friends with mine. So as Im on our xbox 360 as her , "I" log on. I actually sent the thief a message telling them that I was actually able to track them and that I had already conteacted the relivent authoritys.

My girlfriend managed to block the use of her debit card on her xbox live account which banned its use on all others too. Eventually the thief messaged me back saying that they had been given the account, had been told it was "safe", called me a **** and said i could have it back. Moronically giving me thier email addy and password.

I managed to log in and change the log in details , twice for security.

We lost only, luckly £43.00 ($55.00) onver this. But Its messed up our internet bill payments, and our online shopping , meaning we may be going without this forghtnight.

It also savearly upset my girlfriend which was awful to think about.

Im glad though that we managed to dodge a big bullet. The thief managed to put in orders for 4 more xbox live on demand games on my account and my girlfriends debit card. £80.00 ($140-00 to $165.00) But lucky for us we eather managed to get there in time to ban the card from use, or it was luckly rejected. (we're poor anyway)

But the emotional and finacial damage is done. and its left myself feeling foolish and very guilty. But when you get sent a message from a friend , or what looks like someone you know, do you just trust your friend or think badly right away. I think more people would and have been tricked.

Be careful all of you. I dont want to see other people falling for this.

The email of the person who took my account was blackattack1992@live.co.uk although you would believe he or she would not keep this account, but they appeared to log into it after I reclaimed my xbox live account. Also, they are the person who sent me the original link and My account had been used to the same end. Luckly I cleared my friends list a day or two before , again minimising the damage.

I dont know who I should report this too , so if you have any advice please let me know.

In a sadder note, i found out just before work this morening that a good friend of mine had died. She was just 28 and is buried today. Ive not found out all the details yet as im in the uk and shes in the usa. but im just going to dedicate my posts to her today.

Heidi miller / Tkalcich 1981 - 2009