I recently fell victim to a hacker who gained access to my Gmail account, which is linked to my YouTube channel and AdSense account. Unfortunately, I also paid the hacker about $700 in cryptocurrency. Can I still register a complaint? What can I do to recover my account and possibly get my money back?
3 Answers
Accept that the money is likely lost for good. Now, it's all about what you can salvage. If you can, unlink anything else tied to that hacked account. Deactivate your AdSense if you can. Look into having Google lock down your accounts to change your passwords safely. Also, consider contacting your bank about the transaction to see if you can dispute it or cut it off. Keeping personal info minimal and stored securely is crucial going forward.
First things first, you need to stop sending any more money to that scammer. Your best bet now is to reach out to Google Support—they're the only ones who can help you with recovering your account. Also, make sure you secure any other important accounts you have. Use stronger passwords, don’t reuse them, and enable two-factor authentication on everything.
Honestly, paying the hacker was a bad idea. They’re not going to return your money after you've already sent it; they’ll just keep asking for more. Focus on contacting Google Support and try to reclaim your accounts. It's unlikely you'll get your money back, but it's worth a shot to secure other aspects of your digital life.
Great advice! Also, consider using a password manager to keep your passwords safe and avoid any similar situations in the future.