Someone Hacked My Account. What Can I Do?« Back to Questions List

Based on what you’ve explained, this sounds like a textbook case of account takeover fraud.

Account takeover fraud occurs when a criminal captures all or part of a consumer’s login information. The fraudster uses that information to access their victim’s account, typically changing the login email and the shipping address, then makes a fraudulent purchase. The customer doesn’t receive a confirmation email because the criminal changed the information on file, leaving the victim in the dark until he or she attempts to login or is notified of suspicious activity by the bank.

If you suspect account takeover fraud, you should contact the seller’s customer service line immediately. This will allow you to explain the situation and freeze the account in question to prevent any further transactions.

After explaining the situation, most sellers will be willing to refund the transaction and put the money back in your account. This will be the fastest option to recover your funds, so if it is offered, that will be your best choice.

If the merchant does not agree to return the money, or if you are unable to communicate with the seller at all, contact eConsumer Services—we’ll be happy to help you recover your funds.

Tips for Preventing Account Takeover

Remember, the best defense is a good offense. Adopt these simple practices to protect yourself against account takeover:

• Do not reuse login credentials. Have unique passwords for each online account, including shopping, email, and social media. Remember to change the most important passwords frequently (every 4-8 weeks is recommended).

• Create strong passwords. Make your passwords as difficult to guess as possible by using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters (!, $, &, etc.).

• Use a password service like LastPass. No need to remember fifty different passwords—these services can automatically generate complex usernames and passwords for each account. Passwords are stored in a safe, encrypted format to ensure customer security.

• Check your account regularly. Don’t leave any important account unattended for too long. Login periodically to check for any suspicious activity.
eConsumer services can answer any additional questions you might have. Give us a call today.