I Was Being Robbed in Silence! 🚨 How I Caught the Thief and Secured My Steemit Account!
Hi Steemian.
Hope you are doing great! I am doing so but was stressed out few days ago (28-29 Dec, 2025). Because I found out something in my Steemit wallet and it didn't feel right for me. It was not only a security issue but also I lost my 13 Steem.

The Problems
Problem 1:
I was noticing that I had 13 steem less than it should be. For the first day, I thought it was Steemit server issue and it will be updated automatically. But it didn't and then I gone through my transaction history. I found an unusual exchange that I didn't make!

Problem 2:
I noticed an alert in the Steemit Wallet of power down. But since I want to power up and increase my strength, why should I power down! And that time I had an SP near 50. I clicked on the steem power and then in the power down. I discovered that total 47 SP has been scheduled for power down!
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Problem 3:
Once I changed my previous password for kicking out the thief, I faced another alert in the wallet. An advanced route for receiving my vesting payments were configured! But wait, I didn't do that too!
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The Solutions
Solution 1:
I can't get my 13 steem back. So, I ensured so that I may not face this issues further. So, I secured my account once again and updated passwords which I stored locally and in hard paper. I stopped using any third party to store my passwords.

Solution 2:
As soon as I found power down of 47 steem, I stopped it. I had only 6 days left and I am glad I haven't lost any of the SP.
Solution 3:
To clear the advanced route for receiving vesting payment, I went to the Advanced Routes option in the steemit wallet and then I found this!

I was quite shocked and immediately cancelled this route. This makes my account clean. Now I will receive what I get.

The Culprits
Possible Reasons
I have studied about this a lot and found out two possible reasons behind it:
- I was inactive in the steemit platform for 4 years and this kind of thief target the inactive accounts.
- Secondly, maybe someday I put my password in a DApp and they got it.
I don't know what I actually did because, it was 4 years ago.
My Account Is Strong Again!
After this all drama I finally strengthen my account once again. I updated the password and stopped power down and cleared the advanced routes. I have no more alert in the account and I know what to do and what to check regularly.

Take From the Incident
It took me two days to research and solve everything. I was stressed out but never gave up. And I have learnt some important things which I think new and average users must know.
- First of all, whether you are a regular or inactive (who is coming back) user, please check the advanced route option if there is anything configured.
- Secondly, do not use or use less the third parties for your password protection or storage.
- Regularly check everything...
My account is totally safe now and I am involving here regularly. But I don't know what to do with the thieves, so I just posted here to let you all know. Please stay aware and keep your account protected.
And Now that my house is safe, I am ready to bring more designs and stories to you all.
Best Regards,
@kitki
