How to Report and Deal with Email Hacking or Password Theft

This following post shares with you detailed information on How to Report and Deal with Email Hacking or Password Theft

Email hacking and password theft are among the most dangerous cybercrimes. Once your email is compromised, hackers can access bank accounts, impersonate you, steal private data, and lock you out of services. If this happens to you — act quickly. Indian cyber law offers remedies, and tech platforms also have recovery mechanisms.

Jump to:

• How Hackers Steal Your Email or Password
• Warning Signs That Your Email Is Hacked
• Immediate Steps to Take After Email Theft
• Indian Laws That Protect You
• How to File a Complaint
• What Evidence Will Help
• How to Prevent Future Email Hacks
• FAQs
• Further Reading

How Hackers Steal Your Email or Password

• Phishing: Fake emails asking you to log in or update password
• Data Leaks: Email-password combos leaked from breached sites
• Malware: Spyware on your phone or laptop captures credentials
• Wi-Fi Snooping: Using public Wi-Fi without VPN lets hackers intercept data
• Password Reuse: Using the same password across platforms

Warning Signs That Your Email Is Hacked

• You're locked out of your own account
• Friends report suspicious emails from your ID
• Password change notifications you didn’t initiate
• Unknown devices logged in
• Recovery email or phone number changed

Immediate Steps to Take After Email Theft

1. Try to reset your password immediately
2. Use the recovery option (alternate email, SMS code)
3. If unsuccessful, use the platform’s hacked account form (e.g., Google, Outlook)
4. Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) once recovered
5. Change passwords for other accounts linked to the email
6. File a cybercrime complaint if sensitive data or money is involved

Indian Laws That Protect You

• Section 66C IT Act: Identity theft using your credentials
• Section 66D IT Act: Cheating by personation (via email or electronic communication)
• IPC Section 419 & 420: Cheating and fraud

Email hacking is considered a cybercrime under Indian law and is punishable with imprisonment of up to 3 years and fines.

How to File a Complaint

If the hacker sent fraud emails, impersonated you, or accessed sensitive data:

1. Visit cybercrime.gov.in and click “Report Other Cybercrime”
2. Log in with your mobile number and submit the incident details
3. Attach screenshots of suspicious emails or login notifications
4. Also visit the nearest cyber cell or police station with your complaint and ID proof

See full process here: How to File a Cybercrime Complaint in India

What Evidence Will Help

• Screenshot of recovery page showing unauthorized login
• Email headers of fraudulent messages sent from your ID
• Any financial loss or UPI/bank alerts
• Screenshots of complaint filed with the platform (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)

How to Prevent Future Email Hacks

• Enable 2FA on all important accounts
• Use a strong password (with letters, numbers, symbols)
• Never click unknown links or download shady attachments
• Change passwords every 3–6 months
• Use different passwords for each website

FAQs

• What if the hacker used my ID for fraud? You should report the incident to the police to protect yourself legally.
• Can I get the hacker’s details? Only law enforcement can trace via IP or platform logs.
• Is it possible to recover a permanently deleted email? Depends on the service provider — act fast.
• Can minors file such complaints? Yes, but guardians should assist. These cases are taken seriously.

Further Reading

• Identity Theft in India
• Online Bank Fraud: Legal Remedies
• Digital Evidence in Indian Law

Back to Pillar Post: Cyber Law for the Everyday Indian