Worried About Getting Hacked?
Over 15,000 hacked email and social media accounts reported in one year.
If a hacker got into your email or social media account, what would they find? Health and banking information? Names and contact details for your friends and family? Private photos and messages? For most people, it’s at least one of those.
Your email and social media accounts contain a wealth of personal information about you, which makes them a lucrative target for cyber criminals. Between February 2020 and February 2021, Action Fraud received 15,214 reports about email and social media account hacking. The majority of reports (88%) were made by individuals, with 12% of reports being made by businesses. Analysis of the crime reports revealed that Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat were the most affected social media accounts, with phishing messages being the most common tactic used by cyber criminals to lure unsuspecting victims.
The motivation behind the hacks are varied and can range from financial gain, to revenge or personal amusement. Some victims are extorted for money, whilst others have their accounts used to send malicious links to their contacts. One victim who had multiple email and social media accounts hacked paid over £2,000 to regain access to them. Another victim reported that her hacked Facebook account was used to trick her friends into sending money into a PayPal account they thought belonged to her.
Secure your email and social media accounts in just a few minutes. Here’s what you need to do:
1: Use a strong and separate password for your email, as well as other important accounts, such as your banking or social media accounts.
2: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). It will help to stop hackers from getting into your online accounts, even if they have your password.
3: If you can’t access your account, search the company’s online support or help pages. You’ll find information about how to recover your account.
For detailed instructions on how to reset your password or enable 2FA on your accounts, visit: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/secureyouraccounts
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Appeal for information launched after man is assaulted with hammer in Heanor Police are appealing for information after a man was assaulted with a hammer in Heanor. read more | |
| Appointment of new Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service Councillor Mark Cliff, the Chair of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority, has confirmed that read more | |
| The dazzling Darley Park Concert returns this summer The Darley Park Concert will return in 2026, marking the grand finale of The Darley Park Weekender. This summer tradition invite read more | |
| DLRAA Receives Donation From Ripley Tuesday Club 2026 On Tuesday 20th January 2026 Ripley Tuesday Club donated £292.72 for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulan read more | |
| Holocaust Memorial Avenue extended with new tree planting at Alfreton Park The Holocaust Memorial Avenue at Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground has been extended with new tree planti read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
