can a scammer spy on me through vpn?

They can't 'go through your phone'.

However, using a VPN to access the Internet does NOT do anything to protect your privacy or secure your data.

Exactly the opposite, in fact, since the operator of the VPN can see all of your Internet traffic.

The only legitimate use for a VPN is to establish a secure connection to your work or school to access resources on their network.

That's an interesting question. Not likely is the short answer. But then VPN on iPhone is utterly not needed and more importantly, doesn't provide the security you think it does. Free VPNs are tracking your every move and selling your data to companies who will try to sell you something. Many banks are not letting users into their apps if they have a VPN. VPNs can cause connectivity issues and location services accuracy can be messed up.

Unless you are required to use a VPN for your job or school, there is no benefit to adding one to your iPhone.

Nope, they can't without a VPN either.

Of course you can screen share using Messages, Zoom or other collaboration apps, but that is something you would have to specifically allow and not something a scammer can do to spy on you remotely. I am assuming you mean by activating your camera or listening to you without any UI indication on your device showing app access to your camera or microphone.

You have asked about VPN on at least 2 other threads and been provided with the same answers that you see again on this thread.

You were scammed for a reason. Someone tricked you into revealing your account details. Your iPhone was not "hacked".......one or more of your accounts was compromised.

If you want to stay with using a VPN, you should realize that the VPN company can "see" all of the data that you are using in your Internet connection. Whether or not they can "hack" that data is open to question. Even if they can't.....why would you install software on your iPhone that makes it less secure?

Mac Jim ID wrote:

NEVER call a number or use a link in any email/message and provide any information. You should have your known contacts to your bank or website address without following anything provided to you by a message/email. Just following that simple rule will prevent any phishing attempt where your password can be learned through the message.

To the OP – along the same lines, be careful about using a Web browser to obtain official contact information.

A common trick of scammers and domain squatters is to put up sites whose URLs have spellings that are very similar to, but not identical to, those of a well-known business or other organization. They may also attempt to manipulate search results (or outright buy spots) in an effort to get people to visit their pages by mistake.

With domain squatters, the gimmick is simply that they're hoping that the real organization will pay them some large amount of money to acquire the look-alike URL. But with scammers, they may be hoping for you to enter your credentials which they will then use to access your real account at the real Web site.

I do use the Web to obtain contact information, but I am also on my guard when doing it (because of the above).

Sorry, that one was a little hard to follow. How were you able to determine that the scammer was able to access your bank account after changing the password? At anytime was your Apple Account/Password disclosed, or are we just talking about your bank account?

NEVER call a number or use a link in any email/message and provide any information. You should have your known contacts to your bank or website address without following anything provided to you by a message/email. Just following that simple rule will prevent any phishing attempt where your password can be learned through the message.

If you bank account has been compromised, that is independent of your device and you will need to follow up with your bank for securing your account. If you inadvertently signed up for a subscription, you will continue to see those charges, even when changing your account number. This does not indicate the scammer has continued access to your account. That simply means your bank has used a Credit Card Updater service to allow the subscription to continue on you new account. You would need to follow up with your bank if that is the case to block that specific charge.

musclerocker wrote:

The reason why I asked this question is, after I got scammed I waited a couple weeks, then I called up my bank to check my account (my password was changed by me ) . I suspect it was the scammer pretending to be the bank again. Because he answered the phone (I called the legit bank ) it went through the usual automated process, then the call went to him I know his voice . He was talking to me about my check that I put in. That’s all . He didn’t take any money .

what upset is that even though I changed my password the scammer was able to get into my bank account . I changed it recently I used strong password and 2d factor . But he could still get into my account? I also changed all my account numbers too.

how was he able to do this?

I think you had another thread on this? If you got scammed with your bank, it didn't happen through your iPhone and we tried to explain that to you in your earlier thread. I also remember you may have given this person your banking details when you spoke with them? Plain and simple you were scammed, but trying to pin the blame on your iPhone isn't going to help you or get you anywhere.