A compromised email account can put company data, payments, and business relationships at risk. Here are six warning signs worth investigating.
Warning sign 1: Email Is Being Forwarded Without Your Knowledge
Emails auto-forward to an unknown address, or a new inbox rule hides messages.
Someone may be quietly monitoring conversations, invoices, or sensitive files.
Warning sign 2: Someone Receives a Message You Didn’t Send
Contacts get emails you didn’t send, often asking for payments, gift cards, or passwords.
Attackers use your trusted relationships to make fraud look legitimate.
Warning sign 3: You See Sign-Ins You Can’t Explain
Your account shows unfamiliar devices, locations, or sign-in sessions.
Your password or session may be compromised. Review the full sign-in details, not just location.
Warning sign 4: Important Emails Suddenly Go Missing
Replies vanish, expected messages never arrive, or emails show as read before you open them.
Attackers may be hiding conversations to conceal fraud or changed payment details.
Warning sign 5: Your Contacts Receive Unexpected Sharing Requests
Contacts receive file-sharing invites or links from your account that you didn’t send.
Your account may be spreading malicious links or opening access to company data.
Warning sign 6: Your Password or MFA Settings Have Changed
Your password stops working, you get MFA prompts you didn’t request, or recovery info changes.
Someone may be trying to take over your account or lock you out.
What Business Leaders Should Do
If something looks wrong, act promptly.
- Contact IT or security through a trusted channel.
- Secure the account, revoke suspicious sessions, and review forwarding rules.
- Verify payment or bank-detail changes by calling a known number.
- Check other accounts, files, and systems for unauthorized access.
Don’t wait for proof of financial loss.
Investigate unusual activity before it becomes a bigger business problem. Seeing any of these signs? Our team can help you secure your account and check for wider access.