iPhones are taking screenshots by themselves

"iPhones are taking screenshots by themselves: [...]Are my devices hacked?: [...]My devices don’t always be in my hand when it happens. I’ve shown it to many people to prove that I’m not accidentally doing it myself."

-------

Hacked iPhone:

No one can hack an iPhone unless it has been jailbroken. And the only way to know if that has occurred is to know if it has been. So, if purchased form apple, then no worries there.

Restore to Factory Settings:

If you are so concerned, then restore your iPad to factory settings. Go here: What to do Before you Sell, Give Away, or Trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Backup Prior to the Reset:

IMPORTANT: Create a backup of your iPhone prior to performing all of this. That way, you can have something to restore if from, should anything go wrong with the restore..

Backing Up Items:

Note that all downloads would be lost. So, make a note of Apps that were downloaded. Also, enable items in iCloud, so that all is backed up. As an example, here is how to backup Contacts...

I. Enable Contacts in iCloud Settings:

Is Contacts enabled in iCloud Settings? If not, then enable it, and see if it pops up. If so, then it is gone amongst all devices associated to your Apple ID. So, to enable it:

A. Enabling on an iPhone:

Enable Contacts in iCloud:

1. Go to: Settings
2. Tap: your name (top item)
3. Tap: iCloud
4. Tap: Contacts (so that it is green)

and...

B. Enable on a Mac:

Is Contacts enabled in Apple ID on your Mac? If not, enable it.

1. Go to: System Preferences
2. Click: Apple ID
3. Enable: Contacts

Get yourself a case that makes pressing the side buttons somewhat more difficult.

Get yourself a folio case, for instance.

See if the screenshot problems persist.

“iPhones are taking screenshots by themselves: […]I’ve been tracking what I’m doing when the devices take the screenshots and sure enough it’s when I’m doing something involving my personal account information, passwords, and phone calls. My devices don’t always be in my hand when it happens. I’ve shown it to many people to prove that I’m not accidentally doing it myself.”

———-

Securing your iPhone from Scammers:

Every-so-often, I'd say it'd be wise to set a passcode. On top of that, I recommend changing your passcode every-so-often, as someone might learn of it --particular someone you live with --and don't use your bank pin. Keep a copy of it stored in a location, incase you forget your passcode.

Stopping Scams from Coming In.

As for keeping others from pestering you with scam calls and scam messages, Malwarebytes Mobile is what to use, as it is created by longterm users of these forums. The paid-for versions lets you report these numbers to the Developer for investigation, and, if found to be of fraud, blocks it out for all users of their software. Get it Here: Malwarebytes Mobile Security - App Store

“[…]my information has been in numerous data breaches that have exposed a lot of my personal information including a data breach with Medicare so I’ve been very concerned about my phones mysteriously taking screenshots[…]”

———-

You are welcome:

Securing your Personal Info:

Your information is often obtained by others out there, and then are sold to broker sites. That's why, when you google your hometown and your name, you might just pop up. As for getting it off of those sites, there is software to purchase, but it is best to install it on a PC. So, if you have a PC, look into getting McAfee LiveSafe and installing it on it. But, just do not install it on your Mac.

Report this Info:

As for reporting it, see my user tip: Using the Photos App to Report Scams: - User Tip

“Thank you for this information because I keep receiving text messages stating that my ICloud Id was used for a purchase and it advises me to click on a link. I know it’s a scam because I have notifications enabled for all of my accounts also the sender of the text messages are not official Apple Support.”

———-

You are most welcome

By all means necessary, I recommend report it. Use my User Tip: Using the Photos App to Report Scams: - User Tip

Use the App Called “Bouncer”:

For text messages, there is an app called Bouncer, which blocks out messages by keywords and by phrases. But, just for the note, if these are not text messages, then Bouncer would not apply here. Here is the link: Bouncer: Text Messages Blocker 4+ - App Store

“iPhones are taking screenshots by themselves: I have a paid subscription with: Malwarebytes Mobile Security, thanks for all this information. I really appreciate it.”

———-

Well done!

Excellent job troubleshooting this!