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Forum Discussion
joaochora
7 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Two factor problem = account lost. user since 2009.
Good afternoon Dropbox Users and Community,
Today I want to share with everyone my experience with Dropbox for, maybe, Dropbox one day think on it and find a smart solution.. because as I will sh...
- 7 years ago
Good morning Dropbox Users,
I had lost the full access to my Dropbox account.
I lost my cell phone number; the emergency codes; and all the devices that I had connected so I couldnt sign in.
After "fighting" with many persons that work in the costumer service of Dropbox and persons, that are suppose to help here in the community, I finally got a solution and I want to share with you it.
Remember this only works if you are the real owner of the account.
Things you must have:
1 - You must have a cell phone and/or another device where you had your account connected.
2 - Contact costumer service through chat and explain the problem. Open a ticket. (you must create another account to chat ).
3 - They will sent you a link to the email of your MAIN account. Follow the instructions.
4 - Contact again costumer support using the ticket number and ask to talk with a supervisor and provide these informations:
4.1 - Email of the account.
4.2 - Full name on the account.
4.3 - DTG (Date-Time Group) of the creation of the account.
4.4 - The cell phone number associatted to your account.
4.5 - Your actual city (where are you typing right now).
4.6 - The city where you did the last successfully login into Dropbox.
4.7 - The name of a file that you have recently uploaded to Dropbox.
4.8 - The name of a folder that you have created into Dropbox.
4.9 - The name of any person with whom you share a folder, AND the name of that shared folder?
4.10 - The name of any linked computer?
4.11 - Attach a picture of the mac address of the network card that you used the last time to connect to your Dropbox. (it can be a cell phone or computer).If you give those informations correctly they will check your situation, and if all its ok, they will sent you a link (that expire soon, so pay attention to the email address that you used to chat) that allows you to reset your password.
Hope it allows to solve situations like i had before.
For read my situation follow this link:
https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Manage-account/Two-factor-problem-account-lost-user-since-2009/td-p/...This really works for me. Hope it helps the next users that pass through the same problem.
I will follow this thread for help also who needs
Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi Joao, I removed your emails for security reasons.
Regarding your issue, this is a very common factor when upgrading a phone or having the emergency backup code saved on Dropbox.
Unfortunately, without the emergency backup code, nothing can be done to regain access to your account.
Using your login with other services to verify your account can’t be used for ownership.
Proof of purchase doesn’t help either, since paying for an account doesn’t constitute ownership of the account. Users pay for other people’s Plus/Professional accounts all the time. Does it mean that they also own that person’s data rightfully?
Previous codes being sent to you as proof are also disregarded, since this is randomized and could still be obtained from a lost phone. If old codes could be used to access your current account, then there’s no point in the security.
I can only reinterate what my article mentioned:
… 2FA is special in that you are in control of your own security. Basically, you don’t trust that an email and password alone could secure your account, so you added 2FA.For the same reason, we can’t reset your password for you just because you say you own your email address. Otherwise, what’s the point of the extra security?
If the agent in the support ticket can’t assist any further, then it’s possible that all options have been exhausted.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Mark
7 years agoSuper User II
Unfortunately you told Dropbox to not give anybody access to your account unless they had the 2FA details (i.e. the codes you should save when setting it up) or the mobile number. Its only reasonable that they adhere to that instruction and not give anybody access who does not have it. Pictures etc. are easily forged and faked - hence why you need to keep the security codes given.
- joaochora7 years agoExplorer | Level 4Mark I´m not talking about pictures.
I work in cyber security and I know that are procedures to confirm the identity.. Its not about a picture its about a conversation or bank account details.. Forge this stuff is a crime.- Mark7 years agoSuper User IIIt is a crime. It doesn't stop people doing it though.
Unfortunately though as has been said without the phone or the secure code the accounts none recoverable.
Out of interest have you tried calling the number? If its live would the person maybe give you the number if you got one sent to them?- joaochora7 years agoExplorer | Level 4
It isnt live .. I m waiting for almost 2 years..
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