Google Issues Urgent Warning: Gmail Takeover Hack Attack—Act Within 7 Days

Many individuals reach out to me alleging that they have been locked out of their Gmail account by a hacker and request assistance to regain access. While some may actually be attempting to hack into another person’s account, not everyone seeking help is a scammer. Instances of hack attacks leaving victims unable to access their email are all too common, as seen in various Gmail support forums. The attackers often change passwords, phone numbers, and passkeys to prevent the genuine account holder from recovering access. I reached out to Google to inquire about steps users can take to regain control of their Gmail accounts, and discovered there are more options available than one might expect. Here’s what you need to know.

ForbesSmartphone Security Warning—Make These Changes Now Or Become A VictimBy Davey Winder

Gmail Hack Attack Leaves Account Locked After Phone Number And Passkey Changed

Recently, a Reddit user shared how they were locked out of their Gmail account after a hack attack that altered their passkeys, passwords, and phone number. Despite having access to their recovery email, they still struggled to regain access due to the hacker’s changes. Google didn’t provide specific assistance in this case, but I sought advice on how to respond to such situations to restore access to a Gmail account.

Google Said Users Have 7 Days To Regain Access To A Compromised Gmail Account

During a conversation with Google spokesperson Ross Richendrfer, it was highlighted that email hackers often employ common tactics to maintain control of compromised accounts. Richendrfer recommended setting up a recovery phone and email on accounts to assist in situations where passwords are forgotten or changed by an attacker. Crucially, users have up to 7 days to reclaim their account using the original recovery phone number if it is changed by the attacker.

Richendrfer also advised users to seek further assistance with account recovery from Google resources. For detailed instructions, users can refer to Google’s Gmail account recovery guidebook for step-by-step guidance.

ForbesGmail Privacy Warning—Google’s Email Problem And How To Fix ItBy Davey Winder