How to recover hacked social media accounts?
Off-late, there has been a steep rise in number of hacking incidents for WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Indian Government has created laws that protect netizens from such incident and bind social media companies to help resolve such issues.
How they Hack?
A phishing link is sent via Chat, which impersonates login page of Instagram and Facebook which creates an “urgency” related to copyright violations. The user thus loses control of his account and recovery phone number / email address is changed.
Steps to recover account [Only Specific to India]
- Check your email. If there is an email from Facebook / Instagram safety team intimating for password change, follow the link and reset the credentials.
- If it is too late and link has expired, follow next steps:
There will be a link to “Form”, click on the same.
Else directly click :
https://help.instagram.com/contact/779201836048501
Next Step : Selecting the issue
If you select first option, which is most common option, you will get following options:
You will receive a unique ticket number after filling the form
If you want to report internet abuse or nuidity or an impersonation, you can still report on the same link .
Similar facility is also available for WhatsApp and Facebook users as well
Link to WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/forms/1534459096974129?lang=en_US
Link to Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/278770247037228
What if nothing happens ?
If Intermediary does not respond after lets say 72 hours, there is an option to escalate the matter. Government has formed a Grievance Appellate Committee, constituting of senior officers from Government.
Press release : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1894258
Final step is to escalate the matter to Government. It is important to note that you need ticket id / reference number given to you in first step.
Login with your phone number and give your Appeal. Your genuine issue will be sorted if all details and documents are correct.
Summary:
Such initiatives are very rare and not available in different parts of the world. Stay Safe, Follow CyberDost. !
