Don’t Fall for Account Recovery Scams: How to Safely Recover a Hacked Account
If your Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, or other social media account has been hacked, you may receive messages from people claiming they can hack your account back for a fee. Be extremely cautious. Many so-called account recovery services are actually scams designed to steal more information, money, or access to your other accounts.
How to Recover a Hacked Social Media Account Safely
The safest approach is to use the platform’s official account recovery process rather than an unknown third party.
1. Use Official Account Recovery Tools
For Instagram, use Instagram’s official hacked-account recovery process. For WhatsApp, re-register your phone number using the official verification process.
Never provide your password, verification code, recovery code, or authentication code to someone who contacts you privately claiming they can recover your account.
2. Remove Suspicious Third-Party Access
After regaining access, check your account settings for unfamiliar apps, websites, connected devices, or services. Remove anything you do not recognise.
3. Sign Out of Unrecognised Sessions
Review active login sessions and devices. Sign out of unfamiliar locations or devices and change your password immediately.
4. Secure Your Email Account
Your email account is often the gateway to your other online accounts. Change your email password, enable two-factor authentication, and check your recovery email and phone number.
How FactChecks Can Help With Digital Security
FactChecks provides technology-focused resources designed to help users understand online security issues and follow safer digital practices. When dealing with a compromised account, users should always follow the platform’s authorised recovery and verification procedures.
Remember: Anyone promising guaranteed account recovery, asking for your login credentials, or requesting an authentication code should be treated with caution.
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