Getting your social media account back

Account takeovers usually start with a message from a friend's hacked account: "Can you send me the code I just sent you?" or a link to vote in a competition. Once in, the scammer uses your account to trick your friends.

Act fast

Check your email for a message from the platform saying your email or password was changed — it often has a "secure your account" link
Use the app's official "hacked account" help page, not someone offering to recover it for a fee
Change the password on your email account too, in case that was the way in
Warn friends from another account not to reply to messages from you

Stop it happening again

Turn on two-factor authentication, ideally with an authenticator app
Never share a login code, even with a friend
Use a different password for every account; a password manager helps
Be wary of "vote for me" and "is this you in this video?" links

Beware recovery scams

People who post about being hacked are often contacted by "hackers" offering to get the account back for a fee. They can't, and they'll take your money.