In today’s digital world, we rely on online accounts more than ever—for banking, shopping, communication, and accessing work tools. But with that convenience comes risk. An account compromise occurs when a cybercriminal gains unauthorised access to your email, banking, or other online services.
Once inside, attackers can steal sensitive personal data, financial details, and even your identity. The consequences can range from financial loss to reputational damage and further security breaches.
Common Signs Your Account May Be Compromised
If you notice any of the following, your account could be at risk:
- You’re suddenly locked out of your account, even though your login details are correct
- Unfamiliar activity appears in your account—such as emails marked as read, purchases you don’t recall, or messages you never sent
- You receive password reset notifications or login alerts from unknown locations or devices
- Your bank or account provider flags suspicious behaviour
- Unauthorised transactions appear in your banking or online accounts
- You’re signed out on all devices at once, without doing so yourself
- Friends or colleagues report strange messages coming from your email or social media accounts
- The account’s last login time or location doesn’t match your activity
- Legitimate transactions are being declined, even though your account should be in good standing
What You Can Do
If you suspect your account has been compromised:
- Change your password immediately, and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if available
- Check for unauthorised changes or linked devices in your account settings
- Contact your account provider to report the issue and seek recovery support
- Monitor your bank transactions and credit activity closely
- Alert your IT team or CSB support if this affects your work-related accounts
Protecting your accounts starts with awareness. Stay vigilant, and if you’re unsure whether your account is secure, our CSB team is here to help assess and protect your digital environment.