Your Facebook, Instagram, email or other account has been hacked? Someone changed your password and you no longer have access? The hacker is using your account to scam your friends? Act quickly — the longer you wait, the harder it will be to recover your account.
Immediate Actions
If you still have access to your account, change your password NOW and enable two-factor authentication.
1 in 4
Quebecers victims of hacking
Facebook
most targeted platform
24h
critical time to act
How Accounts Get Hacked
1. Phishing
- Fake email or message asking you to log in
- You enter your credentials on a fake site
- The hacker now has your password
2. Data Breaches
- A company you use gets hacked
- Your password is leaked online
- Hackers try it on other accounts
3. Weak Passwords
- Easy to guess passwords (123456, password, your name)
- Same password used everywhere
- No two-factor authentication
What to Do If Your Account Is Hacked
If You Still Have Access
- Change your password immediately
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Check recent activity and log out other sessions
- Update recovery email and phone
If You've Lost Access
- Use the platform's recovery process
- Facebook: facebook.com/hacked
- Instagram: Help > Report a Problem
- Google: accounts.google.com/signin/recovery
- Warn your contacts that your account is compromised
If the Hacker Is Scamming Your Friends
Post on another platform or contact friends directly to warn them. Hackers often ask your contacts for money or send malicious links.
How to Protect Yourself in the Future
- Use unique passwords for each account
- Enable two-factor authentication everywhere
- Use a password manager
- Never click suspicious links
- Check for data breaches at haveibeenpwned.com
How Report Quebec Can Help You
- Documentation of the incident
- Guidance to recovery processes
- Help if the hacker committed fraud
- Official record for future reference