Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a consumer alert aimed at helping residents recognize and respond to hacked email accounts. The alert is designed to assist consumers in identifying compromised accounts, regaining control, and preventing future breaches.
“Recovering from an email hack can be stressful, but taking the right steps quickly can minimize the damage,” Nessel stated. “By staying vigilant and implementing strong security practices, you can reduce the risk of future hacks and protect your personal information.”
The alert outlines several warning signs that an email account may have been hacked. These include unexpected messages sent from the account, unusual social media activity linked to the email, missing sent emails, and login issues.
If a user suspects their email has been hacked, the Attorney General's office advises taking immediate action. Recommended steps include scanning devices for malware, changing passwords immediately, resetting security questions, checking account settings for unauthorized changes, notifying contacts about the breach, and reporting identity theft if necessary.
To prevent future hacks, the alert emphasizes enabling two-factor authentication on all accounts that support it. Users are also advised to be cautious with email links and attachments, use secure storage services for sensitive documents, regularly update passwords using a password manager, and monitor accounts for unusual activity.
For those needing further assistance or wishing to file a complaint regarding a hacked email account or related issues, contact details for the Consumer Protection Team are provided.