Account Takeover
Understanding Account Takeover (ATO)
Account Takeover occurs when a criminal gains unauthorized access to your online accounts, such as banking, email, or social media. They use stolen credentials—often obtained through phishing, malware, or breaches on other platforms—to impersonate you and access sensitive information.
How Criminals Do It
Phishing Emails or Texts
Fraudsters send fake messages to trick you into providing your login details.
Credential Stuffing
Using usernames and passwords stolen in data breaches, they attempt to log into other accounts.
Malware
Malicious software installed on your device records your keystrokes or steals stored passwords.
What This Means for You
If you’re a victim of ATO, the consequences can be devastating. Criminals can:
- Empty your bank accounts.
- Make unauthorized purchases or transfers.
- Impersonate you online to commit further fraud.
Protect Yourself
Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
Monitor your accounts regularly for suspicious activity.