Man Buys $15 Router at Thrift Store and Discovers Millionaire’s Dirty Secrets

A viral TikTok video has reminded people of the importance of wiping personal information from electronic devices before donating them to thrift shops.

German TikToker @dankeunextgay recently shared his experience of buying an Apple Time Capsule for $15 from a thrift store. The device uncovered sensitive information from the previous owner. In other words, the 15$ router had all of a millionaire’s dirty secrets.

15$ Router Has All of Millionaire’s Dirty Secrets

The TikToker, known as Willhelm, posted a video detailing the contents of the device, which had not been wiped clean before being donated.

The video, captioned “This is [kinda] scary,” quickly gained millions of views. In the video, Willhelm expressed his surprise upon finding files dating back to 2010. He apologized to the previous owner, only referring to him as Don, saying, “I’m sorry Don that I’m going through your s**t.”

Willhelm explained that the Apple Time Capsule, a device discontinued in 2018, contained multiple backups from different time periods. This allowed him to access a wide range of personal information. He found photos from the 1980s, credit card numbers, flight information, and even bank account details.

“I have this man’s bank account number. I can see how much money he had in the bank at one point”, Willhelm revealed. He continued by saying, “I even have his life insurance information, and this dude is worth millions of dollars”.

Mixed Reactions From Viewers

The discovery sparked mixed reactions from TikTok users. Some expressed their horror at the thought of their personal information being exposed, while others found the situation amusing. One user commented, “This is a NIGHTMARE of mine & exactly why I hoard every electronic I’ll ever have,” while another joked, “Don wanted you to find it. You’ve been selected for a mission.”

One seemed certainly concerned saying, “LOL the way that my dead grandpa was named Don, was an Apple nerd since they dropped the Mac, and was a business owner… I am suspicious,”

In a follow-up video, Willhelm provided more details about the Apple Time Capsule. He said “And to answer the question that I know that everyone’s gonna ask, there was porn. So, there you have it.” This made people even more curious. One user wrote, “I’d like more info on the corn. What kind? Self made?
Videos? Photos? Don’t leave us hanging.”

Goodwill Donations

Willhelm saw it necessary to reiterate the importance of securely deleting personal data before donating electronic devices. He stated, “Do not donate your old technology to Goodwill,” and mentioned that he plans to delete all of the personal information once he is done looking through it.

Willhelm also expressed his discomfort at having access to someone else’s information and his intention to track down Don’s family to return the device. “I don’t feel comfortable having it, and I don’t want to just delete it, so I’m gonna see if I can find at least someone to give it to,” he concluded.

The viral videos have garnered millions of views and numerous comments from concerned and curious users. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with donating electronic devices without properly wiping them clean.

Have you ever donated electronic devices without deleting everything first? Tell us in the comments.

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