Top Warning Signs Your Email Has Been Hacked—and What to Do Next

1. You Receive Unexpected Password Reset Emails (That You Didn’t Request)

The Sign: Emails from various online services (banking, social media, shopping sites, cloud storage) saying “Your password reset request” or “Confirm your email change,” when you initiated no such action.

What It Means: This is a massive red flag. Hackers have likely gained access to your email and are trying to take over your other accounts linked to it. The password reset link sent to your email is the key they need to lock you out completely. They might also be testing if you’re actively monitoring the account.

What to Do: DO NOT CLICK ANY LINKS IN THESE EMAILS. Immediately log in directly (not via the email link) to the service mentioned and change your password for that account, using a strong, unique password. Then, proceed to secure your email account (see steps below).

2. Friends, Family, or Colleagues Report Strange Emails “From You”

The Sign: People in your contact list start messaging you (often via another channel like text or social media) asking about bizarre emails they received from your address. These emails might contain:

• Urgent requests for money (e.g., “I’m stranded, send gift cards!”)
• Suspicious links (“Check out this deal!” or “You need to see this!”)
• Unexpected attachments (“Here’s the document you requested”).

What It Means: The attacker is actively using your compromised account to spread malware or phishing scams to your contacts, leveraging your established trust to increase their success rate. This is a classic sign of email hacking for propagation.

What to Do: Immediately warn your contacts not to open any suspicious emails from your address. Post a warning on your social media if appropriate. Then, focus on reclaiming your email account.

3. You Notice Sent Emails You Didn’t Write

The Sign: While checking your “Sent” folder, you discover messages you absolutely did not compose or send. These could be phishing attempts, spam, or malicious messages sent to your contacts or random addresses.

What It Means: This is undeniable proof that someone else has active access to your account and is using it maliciously. They may have bypassed your password or are using a connected, compromised app.

What to Do: This requires immediate action. Follow the comprehensive “What to Do Next” steps below urgently. Check your email account’s settings for any suspicious forwarding rules or linked apps/devices the hacker might have added.

4. You Suddenly Can’t Log In to Your Own Email Account

The Sign: Your usual password stops working. Password reset attempts fail (you don’t receive the reset email, or it says your recovery options are invalid). You might even see a notification that your primary email or phone number associated with the account has been changed.

What It Means: The hacker has likely changed your password and potentially your recovery information, locking you out completely to maintain control and prevent you from stopping their activities. This is a severe stage of email hacking.

What to Do: Use any remaining recovery options provided by your email provider (e.g., secondary email, phone number, security questions – though these can also be compromised). Visit the provider’s official account recovery page immediately. Be prepared to verify your identity. Act fast, as the hacker will be moving quickly.

5. Unfamiliar Activity in “Recent Activity” or “Security Logs”

The Sign: Most major email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) offer a security section showing recent logins – location, device type, IP address, and time. You see logins from countries you’ve never visited, devices you don’t own, or at times when you were asleep.

What It Means: Unauthorized individuals are accessing your account, even if they haven’t yet changed your password or started sending spam. They could be silently monitoring your communications for sensitive data (financial info, passwords in plain text, confidential documents).

What to Do: Immediately change your email password to a very strong, unique one. Review and revoke access for any unrecognized devices or apps linked to your account (found in security settings). Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) now if it’s not already on.

6. Your Spam Folder Suddenly Overflows with Bounces

The Sign: Your Spam/Junk folder is flooded with “Mail Delivery Failed” or “Undeliverable” notifications for emails you never sent, addressed to people you don’t know.

What It Means: Hackers are using your account to blast out massive spam or phishing campaigns. The bounce messages occur when the recipient’s address is invalid or their server rejects the spam. Your account might also be temporarily blacklisted as a spam source.

What to Do: Follow the steps below to secure your account. Once secured, you may need to contact your email provider if your account has been blacklisted.

7. Missing Emails, Especially Financial or Sensitive Ones

The Sign: Important emails, particularly those related to banking statements, invoices, password resets for other sites, or confidential communications, have mysteriously vanished from your inbox or folders. You might notice unusual folder activity (emails moved to Archive, Trash, or custom folders).

What It Means: An attacker is covering their tracks. They might be deleting:

• Evidence of password resets they initiated for your other accounts.
• Financial statements to hide fraudulent transactions.
• Security alerts from your email provider or other services.
•  Sensitive information they stole.

What to Do: Secure your email account immediately (steps below). Check your Trash and any unusual folders. Once secured, contact financial institutions and other critical services to alert them of potential compromise and review recent activity.