If you notice that your Instagram account has been hacked, do not panic. That is because there are specific steps you can follow to recover your account. This gives you an opportunity to strengthen it further and reduce the damage done.
It is important to note that if your Instagram account has been hacked, the hacker will most likely use your personal information to access other services such as online banking and emails.
For this reason, if you have lost access to your Instagram account, you should follow these steps:
i) Change And Update Your Passwords Across All Accounts – The moment you notice that your account has been hacked, it is wise to change or update your passwords across all platforms. Make sure the passwords are secure and unique. Avoid reusing your password across all platforms. If possible, enable 2FA to make it difficult for hackers to get into your accounts even if they have the password. If your account is hacked try an Instagram account recovery service like SMVT
ii) Constantly Check Your Credit Reports And Bank Statements – The goal of almost all scammers is to always get access to your financial accounts. For this reason, always check for warning signs of identify theft like strange charges on your bank statements or those that you do not recognize. An identity theft protection service such as SMVT can help you monitor your statements and alert you to any signs of fraud.
iii)   Consider Signing Up For Identity Protection Services – It is said that prevention is better than cure. For this reason, it is wise to always consider protecting yourself rather than working to recover your accounts. This is why you should consider taking advantage of the services offered by SMCT. They will help you protect your most sensitive personal information, finances, and online accounts against fraud.
How Do I Secure An Account That I Still Have Access To?
If you have access to your Instagram account, you can keep that hacker out if you act fast. These are essential steps you should take:
i) Check The Telephone Number And Email Addresses Linked With The Account – The entry points are usually the phone numbers and email addresses linked to the account. What does this mean? It simply means that you can change anything using the phone and email addresses found in your settings for the account. It is essential to ensure the scammer has not changed this information.
ii) Logging Out Of All Active Sessions – Consider going to the Instagram login activity and closing all sessions by clicking on the three dots beside each session. Doing this will mean you will have to log back into Instagram, which is a small price to pay.
iii)   Change The Password – You will need to reset your Instagram password immediately. This can be done under “Profile>Settings>Security>Password.” Make your password as unique as possible by including all symbols, numbers, and letters.
iv) Turning On Two-Factor Authentication – This feature adds to your security and requires a special one-time-use code along with the password. This will make it difficult to hack. That is because a special SMS will be sent to you in case someone is trying to login to the account.