---
title: Hacked Account Checklist: The First Hour | Atakan Recovery
url: https://atakanrecoveryservices.com/hacked-account-checklist/
language: en
updated: 2026-10-08
publisher: Atakan Recovery Services
---

# Hacked account checklist: the first hour

When someone takes over your account, the first hour decides a lot. Work through this checklist in order.

Last updated: October 2026

## In short

### What is the first thing to do when my account is hacked?

Look in your email for a message from the platform about a changed email or password and use its link to reverse the change. If that is not possible, start the platform's official hacked-account process straight away.

## In the first hour

1. Search your email, including spam, for security messages from the platform and use any link to undo the changes.
2. Secure the email account linked to your social media first: a new password and [two-factor authentication](https://atakanrecoveryservices.com/glossary/#two-factor).
3. Start the platform's official hacked-account or account recovery process.
4. Ask friends to ignore messages from your account and not to click any links.
5. Take screenshots of everything the attacker changed or posted.

## After you get back in

1. Set a new, unique password.
2. Turn on two-factor authentication with an authenticator app.
3. Log out of all other sessions and remove unknown devices.
4. Remove third-party apps you don't recognize.
5. Check your email, phone number and recovery details.

## How takeovers usually start

Most takeovers begin with a [phishing](https://atakanrecoveryservices.com/glossary/#phishing) message: a fake copyright warning, a fake verification offer, or a message from a friend's hacked account asking you for a code. Knowing these patterns is the best protection.

## Frequently asked questions

### The hacker turned on two-factor authentication. Can I still recover the account?

Often, yes. Platforms have identity checks for exactly this situation. Which route works depends on what the attacker changed.

### Should I delete the account and start again?

Usually not. You lose your followers and history, and the attacker may keep using your name. Recovery through the official routes is normally the better option.

### Do I need to report it to the police?

If money was taken, or someone is threatening or blackmailing you, yes. A police report can also strengthen some platform reports.

## Official sources

The platforms' own help and policy pages. We are not affiliated with them.

- [**Instagram: Hacked or lost access** instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/hacked/)
- [**Facebook: Hacked account** facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/hacked)
- [**Google and YouTube: Account recovery** accounts.google.com](https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery)

## Related services

### [Hacked account recovery](https://atakanrecoveryservices.com/hacked-account-recovery/)

Email or phone number changed by a hacker? We guide recovery through each platform's official process and help you secure the account afterwards.

### [Facebook account recovery](https://atakanrecoveryservices.com/facebook-account-recovery/)

Facebook account disabled, restricted or locked? We handle the review through Meta's official channels, including Pages and ad accounts. Free assessment.

## Tell us what happened.

The assessment is free and there is no obligation. If we can't help, we will tell you.

[Start your free assessment](https://atakanrecoveryservices.com/contact/) [Message on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/905303799058?text=Hello%2C%20I%27d%20like%20a%20free%20assessment%20for%20my%20account.)

We never ask for your password or verification codes.