What to do: File an identity theft report with the FTC on IdentityTheft.gov. File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). File a police report when you discover that you've been hacked, especially in cases of identity theft.
Need more support? For help with all types of threats, visit our where to get help page. If you still need help, call our hotline 24/7 on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).
What can you do if you are victim of identity crime: If you've been a victim of Identity theft, contact police on 131 444 for further advice and assistance. You should also contact your financial institution. The NSW Government established ID Support NSW to help people understand and prevent identity crime.
Step 1: Change your passwords
This is important because hackers are looking for any point of entry into a larger network, and may gain access through a weak password. On accounts or devices that contain sensitive information, make sure your password is strong, unique—and not easily guessable.
You get signed out of your online accounts (social media, email, online banking, etc.), or you try to log in and discover your passwords don't work anymore. You receive emails or text messages about login attempts, password resets, or two-factor authentication (2FA) codes that you didn't request.
Criminals use stolen login credentials to break into accounts with payment details, such as shopping accounts. This is called account takeover, and it often leads to identity theft. If the hacker changes your password, you will also lose access to your account.
While passport information sells for the most amount of money, Social Security numbers are the most valuable to hackers, as these can be used for tax fraud, opening credit accounts, and other malicious activities.
However, you can report hackers and regain control. If you believe an online account has been hacked, take a deep breath and notify the provider of that account as soon as possible. They will work to get you back online. If your computer is compromised, get law enforcement involved.
If someone has stolen your personal or business identity, you should alert your bank, service providers and any online accounts you think could have been hacked. You should also contact these agencies to report it, get help, and protect yourself from further harm.
FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If the hack involves online fraud, scams, or other cybercrimes, file a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. This federal agency gathers and analyzes data on cybercrime and works with law enforcement agencies nationwide to combat these threats.
Those are the unsolicited emails and text messages you receive from someone you don't know or that you're not expecting, and don't open the links or attachments you receive in those messages. If you believe you've been a victim of cybercrime report it to police using [email protected].
Consider Freezing or Closing Your Account
In many cases, canceling a debit or credit card can stop bank fraud in its tracks. When your account has been hacked due to identity theft, it can be more difficult to keep criminals from repeatedly accessing it.
Your bank should refund any money stolen from you as a result of fraud and identity theft. They should do this as soon as possible - ideally by the end of the next working day after you report the problem.
Hijack your usernames and passwords. Steal your money and open credit card and bank accounts in your name. Ruin your credit. Request new account Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or additional credit cards.
By recording your keystrokes, the hacker can steal your passwords and other sensitive data and use it to access your accounts, including email, social media and online banking.
Can a hacker access my computer camera, microphone, and screen? Yes. Cybercriminals use malware like spyware to remotely access and control your camera, microphone, and screen. In fact, malicious actors often use camera and microphone recordings to blackmail people.
Hackers will often use secure software such as a proxy server to hide their identity and funnel their communications through lots of different countries in order to evade detection. Other technologies like Tor and encryption enable them to add multiple layers to mask their identity.
Once hackers have your number, they can use it to gain access to your most sensitive and valuable data, such as your: Email accounts and contact lists. Financial assets and bank accounts. Current and previous home addresses.
If a hacker installs spyware on your phone then there is a good chance they will be able to access your camera and turn it on/off as they please. They may also be able to access any photos or videos you have previously taken.
Can someone hack my phone? Your phone can be hacked, just like any other device with internet connectivity. Phones are particularly tempting targets for hackers because these devices usually have access to a huge amount of user data, from banking information to social media passwords.
Signs Your Phone Has Been Hacked
Your phone loses charge quickly. Your phone is running slower than usual. You notice strange activity on your online accounts, like unfamiliar logins, new account signups, or password reset emails. You see unfamiliar calls or texts.
One of the best ways to determine if your iPhone is hacked is to run a malware scan. Antivirus apps for iOS are quite limited as Apple's operating system does not allow them to access areas of the device where malware typically hides.
There are several ways that scammers can gain access to your online bank account. They could use phishing attacks, malware or other cyberattacks, or buy your credentials online after a data breach.