Hacked Email or Social Media Account
Someone has taken control of your account without permission.
What this generally means
Unauthorized access to your account is a criminal offence under the IT Act, and platforms typically have recovery processes you should start immediately.
Your journey
You Are Here
You're trying to understand what to do about a hacked account. That's a good first step.
Understand Issue
Read through what this situation generally means and what your options are.
Gather Documents
Collect the evidence and paperwork that will support your case.
Contact Resource
Reach out to the most relevant authority, helpline, or legal aid service.
Escalate If Needed
If the first contact doesn't resolve things, escalate to a higher forum or authority.
Follow Up
Track your complaint's status and keep records of every response you receive.
Common next steps
- 1Try the platform's official account recovery process right away.
- 2Alert your contacts that the account may send suspicious messages.
- 3Report the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
- 4Enable two-factor authentication once you regain access.
Useful documents
- Screenshots of unauthorized activity
- Account recovery reference numbers
- Any ransom or threatening messages received
Relevant authorities
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- State Cyber Crime Cell
Frequently asked questions
What if the hacker is demanding money?+
Do not pay. Report it immediately — paying rarely guarantees account recovery and can encourage further extortion.
Can I get legal action against the hacker?+
Yes, unauthorized access and data theft are offences under the IT Act, and police can investigate with your complaint.
Verified resources
Local Digital Safety NGO
Illustrative example only — this is not a specific real organization. Search for digital rights or online safety NGOs, or start with the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (1930).
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
I4C (Ministry of Home Affairs) portal to report all types of cybercrime, especially crimes against women and children. Supported by the 1930 helpline.
CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)
National nodal agency under MeitY for responding to cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities.