If you're asking yourself "was my account hacked?" you're not alone. Unauthorized access is common—and in many cases it involves someone the victim knows: around 40% of stalking cases involve a former intimate partner, and a large share of digital abuse is linked to ex-partners or people with past access. The sooner you get clear answers, the sooner you can secure your accounts and document evidence. Here's how to find out and what to do.
Was My Account Hacked? Signs to Look For
Common signs that your account may have been hacked include:
- Logins from locations or devices you don't recognize
- Password or recovery email/phone changes you didn't make
- Emails or posts sent from your account that you didn't send
- Friends or contacts receiving spam or strange messages from you
- New apps or sessions you didn't authorize
- Activity at odd hours (e.g., 3 AM) when you weren't online
How to Check If Your Account Was Hacked
The most reliable way to answer "was my account hacked?" is to review your account's own activity data. Most platforms log logins, devices, and security events.
- Google: Security → Recent security activity
- Apple: appleid.apple.com → Sign-In and Security → Devices & Activity
- Facebook/Instagram: Settings → Security and Login / Login Activity
- Microsoft: account.microsoft.com → Security → Recent activity
For a full picture, download your account data (e.g., Google Takeout, Facebook/Instagram download) and run a forensic-style check. That way you see patterns—not just the last login.
What to Do If You Find Unauthorized Access
- Change your password from a device you trust.
- Turn on two-factor authentication and remove unknown devices.
- Check recovery email and phone—make sure they weren't changed.
- Document everything (screenshots, exports) if you need evidence for legal or support.