How to Report Hacking on Yahoo! Mail
By Melissa King
If you think your Yahoo account has been hacked, you're not alone. For several months in 2013, thousands of Yahoo users were targeted by phishing emails that gave hackers access to their accounts. Yahoo stated that the vulnerability causing the issue was fixed, but for many users, the problem persists. If you've lost control of your account or notice suspicious emails being sent from your address, hacking is a likely cause. Yahoo encourages users to report compromised accounts to its security team.
Step 1
Navigate to the Yahoo "How Can We Help You?" page.
Step 2
Select "Yahoo Account" from the first drop-down menu, and then select "Hacked Accounts" from the next menu.
Step 3
Choose your problem from the sub-category menu. Issues include "Spam is being sent from my account," "Getting an invalid password message" and "Unable to verify my secret question."
Step 4
Add more details about the problem in the box that appears. Note how you want the Yahoo support team to help you.
Step 5
Click "Enter." Yahoo will display some possible solutions in the Quick Answers section. If these answers don't help you, click "Email a Support Agent."
Step 6
Type a description of the problem in the Detailed Description field. Don't include any personal information here, such as your Yahoo password, Social Security number or driver's license number.
Step 7
Enter the Yahoo ID of the person who hacked your account, if you know it. If you don't, enter "not known."
Step 8
Enter the Yahoo ID that's been hacked, and then enter a different email address where Yahoo can contact you.
Step 9
Enter the rest of the requested information, such as your full name, birth date and ZIP code.
Step 10
Provide one of your security questions and its answer. If you can't remember your question, go to the Password Helper page. Select "I Have a Problem With My Password." Enter your Yahoo ID, and then select "Use My Security Questions." Copy the question that appears and paste it into the Security Question box on the customer-support email form.
Step 11
Click "Send." Yahoo will investigate the problem and contact you as soon as possible.
References
Tips
- Your account may have been hacked if your password has stopped working, spam is being sent from your email address or if Yahoo repeatedly flags the account as compromised.
- If you think your account was hacked, Yahoo recommends changing your password as soon as possible. You should also set new security questions and change them regularly.
Warnings
- Yahoo's support team will never ask for money to help you fix your account problems. If someone claims to work for Yahoo but demands payment for assistance, it's a scam.
Writer Bio
Melissa King began writing in 2001. She spent three years writing for her local newspaper, "The Colt," writing editorials, news stories, product reviews and entertainment pieces. She is also the owner and operator of Howbert Freelance Writing. King holds an Associate of Arts in communications from Tarrant County College.