Surge in Social Media and Email Hacking Reports Prompts Security Campaign

Action Fraud collaborates with Meta to promote two-step verification amid rising cybercrime incidents.

Reports of social media and email account hacking have surged significantly, with Action Fraud data highlighting a substantial increase in incidents.

In 2024, the fraud and cybercrime reporting service received 35,434 reports, a notable rise from 22,530 reports recorded in 2023. The alarming trend has prompted Action Fraud to launch a campaign, in partnership with Meta, aimed at enhancing online security through the encouragement of two-step verification for all online accounts.

The campaign is a response to a variety of hacking motives predominantly involving investment fraud, ticket fraud, and the outright theft of accounts.

Adam Mercer, deputy director of Action Fraud, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that hacking remains the most reported cybercrime and requires urgent attention from all internet users.

In a parallel statement, David Agranovich, security policy director at Meta, reiterated the evolving nature of scams, highlighting that fraudsters consistently adapt their tactics to circumvent detection.

Agranovich underscored the significance of two-factor authentication (2FA) as a vital security measure that can help mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to accounts.

Meta has also introduced facial recognition technology aimed at assisting users in recovering hacked or compromised accounts, along with ongoing efforts to develop new preventive strategies against cybercrime.

Action Fraud revealed that typical hacking methods include fraudsters taking control of accounts and masquerading as the legitimate owners, often reaching out to victims under the guise of a friend.

This impersonation is frequently exploited to promote fraudulent schemes, such as selling fake tickets or cryptocurrency investments.

Additionally, many victims are targeted via phishing scams or data breaches, where passwords are leaked, exposing multiple online accounts to potential vulnerabilities.

As individuals often reuse passwords across various platforms, a compromise on one site can lead to a domino effect, allowing hackers to infiltrate numerous accounts.

The combination of these factors highlights the critical need for improved personal security measures in the face of escalating cyber threats.