← All common situations

Your Computer, Email, or Social Media Account Was Hacked

Applies when a citizen's computer, email, social media, or other online account was accessed, damaged, or taken over without permission, or their data was stolen -- separate from cases where money was actually taken via financial fraud, or where a known person is stalking or harassing you.

1. 1. Secure the account or device immediately
   Change passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, log out of all other active sessions, and disconnect an infected device from the internet before doing anything else. Acting quickly can limit further damage even before any complaint is filed.
2. 2. Preserve evidence before you act further
   Screenshot login-alert emails, unusual account activity, and any ransom or threat messages, noting the exact date and time. Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (successor to s.65B of the Evidence Act) requires a certificate for electronic evidence to be used later, so keep original files, not just screenshots.
3. 3. Understand which provision actually applies
   Section 43 of the IT Act, 2000 makes unauthorized access, data theft, virus introduction, or denial of access a civil wrong, with damages payable by way of compensation to the person affected -- the original Rs.1 crore ceiling on this compensation was removed by the IT (Amendment) Act, 2008, so no statutory cap currently applies. Section 66 makes the same acts a criminal offence -- up to 3 years' imprisonment and/or a fine up to Rs.5 lakh -- only when done dishonestly or fraudulently.
4. 4. Check whether a more specific section fits your facts
   If someone received or is using your stolen device, s.66B applies; if your password, digital signature, or a unique identifier was misused, s.66C (identity theft) applies; if someone used your credentials to cheat or deceive another person or platform, s.66D (cheating by personation) applies; if a private image was captured or shared without consent, s.66E (violation of privacy) applies.
5. 5. Report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
   File under the 'Other Cyber Crime' category at cybercrime.gov.in -- hacking and data theft are handled here, not through the 1930 helpline, which is reserved for financial fraud. You will need details of the compromised account, evidence of unauthorized access, and any suspect information you have.
6. 6. File an FIR at any police station (Zero FIR)
   Section 77B of the IT Act treats offences punishable with up to 3 years' imprisonment as cognizable, so s.66 offences are cognizable. You can walk into any police station regardless of where the hacking occurred and have it registered as a Zero FIR under Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, later transferred to the right station.
7. 7. Know what happens if the accused is arrested
   The Supreme Court clarified in Maharaj Saran v. State of Punjab, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 1378 (16 July 2026), that a s.66 offence is bailable when Section 77B is read with it, since the maximum punishment is 3 years -- so bail is ordinarily available as a matter of right once the court grants it.
8. 8. Consider a separate civil compensation claim
   Independent of any criminal case, Section 46 of the IT Act lets you approach an Adjudicating Officer for compensation for loss or damage caused, for claims up to Rs.5 crore -- a route worth pursuing if your actual financial or data loss needs to be quantified and recovered.
9. 9. Notify the platform or service provider directly
   Report the compromise to the email provider, social media platform, or bank involved so they can lock the account, reverse unauthorized changes, or flag suspicious transactions -- this runs alongside, not instead of, your legal complaint.

These are the remedies Indian law provides for this kind of situation -- not a recommendation, and not every remedy will apply to your own facts.

Aadhrix does not decide which route applies to you. This describes the official process as published — consider an advocate for advice specific to your situation.

← Back to Aadhrix