My email account has been hacked: what should I do?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Recover access through the genuine provider and check more than the password: an attacker may have set forwarding rules.
On this page
1. Limit access
Use your email provider's official recovery process, not a suspicious message link. Change to a strong unique password and restore altered security questions and recovery details. Enable two-step verification. If locked out, contact the provider promptly; a police report does not restore access.
2. Check rules
Check forwarding rules, filters and copies of incoming mail. Inspect archive, deleted and sent folders: rules may hide messages. Record suspicious settings and remove unwanted rules. A password change alone does not stop a forwarding rule. Remove unfamiliar linked devices.
3. Secure other accounts
Change reused passwords at shops and other linked services. Check altered addresses and payment options; disable buy-now-pay-later where possible. Warn contacts receiving false payment requests. Run a thorough scan using trustworthy security software; avoid unknown 'recovery software' offers.
4. Preserve evidence
Record discovery, chronology, affected address, provider contact and the known or uncertain cause. Keep original messages with headers, login alerts, device/IP records, orders, delivery addresses, invoices and amounts. Separate your own actions from unauthorised ones. Do not submit passwords, recovery codes or your full file to this site.
5. Arrange a police report
Contact police on 0900-8844 to arrange a report and discuss help preserving digital traces; call 112 in immediate danger. Prepare facts using the official reporting aid and request an interpreter if needed. Victim rights also apply without Dutch residence status or a police report. A visit or investigation is not guaranteed.
6. Track harm and recovery
Keep the report reference and supply new facts. Dispute contracts you did not enter into separately with the business and debt collector using our identity-fraud guidance; reporting does not cancel a bill. Track orders, losses, reimbursement and correspondence. Ask for victim support and discuss monitoring with a relevant credit provider. Respond to summonses and deadlines.
Politie · Beveiliging en doorstuurregels ↗
Is a new password enough?
Not always. Forwarding rules may continue. Also check filters, linked devices, recovery details and reused passwords.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Provider, account and safe recovery route
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Provider, account and safe recovery route
- Suspicious rules, devices and recovery details
- Unique passwords and two-step verification
- Timeline, original mail and login evidence without passwords
- Orders, amounts and correspondence
- Police reference, disputed bills and follow-up
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Politie · Herkennen ↗Politie · Beveiliging en doorstuurregels ↗Politie · Aangifte ↗Politie · Rechten slachtoffer ↗Politie · Voorbereidingsformulier ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.