Hackers target email and social media accounts to steal personal information like usernames, passwords, and financial details. Signs of a hacked account include unexpected changes to login details and failed login attempts. If unable to access your account, follow the provider's recovery instructions to regain control.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

If you get a notification about activity you don’t recognize, and you can log in, here’s what to do:

• Change your account password. Create a unique passwords that are hard to guess. Make passwords at least 12 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, number, and symbol. Avoid using your name, username, or school name, and don't use commonly used passwords or dictionary words. Then sign out of that account on all devices. That way anyone who’s logged in to your account on another device will get kicked out.

• Enable multifactor authentication: This requires more than just a password to log in to a website or app. 

• Update your account recovery information. Account recovery information helps you get back into your account if you're locked out, forgot your password, or if someone else is using it. Check your account recovery information and make sure the email address and phone number listed are correct.

• Check for signs that someone had access to your account. Check if there are auto-forwarding rules in your email account that you didn’t set up. Hackers might create these rules to forward your emails to another address. Check your social media for messages the hacker posted or sent, or for new friends you don’t recognize.

HOW TO REPORT:

If you believe someone stole your personal information, you can:

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a report online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). The FTC will generate a recovery plan and enter your report into a secure database used by law enforcement. 

• Contact your credit card company: Let your credit card company know that your identity has been compromised and request new account numbers and cards. 

• Contact the three major credit reporting agencies: Inform Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion of the situation. You can also add an "active-duty alert" to your credit report to make it more difficult for creditors to open new accounts in your name. 

• Contact your bank: Contact the fraud department at your bank. 

• Contact the IRS: If your Social Security number was stolen, the IRS may be able to help. 

• Contact the Idaho State Tax Commission: Email fraud@tax.idaho.gov or call (208) 334-7660 in the Boise area.