Yelp Account Hacked? How To Recover Before It’s too Late

Is your Yelp account hacked? You are in the right place. In this guide, you will find step-by-step how to recover your hacked Yelp account and regain access.

With cybercriminals constantly refining their tactics, it’s only a matter of time before one of your online accounts gets compromised. This could be a result of a weak or commonly-used password, malware, a phishing scam, or connecting to a public Wi-Fi network. However, there’s no need to panic, as there are steps you can take to recover your hacked accounts!

How to recover your hacked Yelp Account

Here are step-by-step instructions on what to do if your Yelp account is hacked, and how to recover it as quickly as possible.

1. Secure Your Email

It is crucial to prioritize securing your email account before attempting to recover your hacked Yelp account. If a hacker gains full access to your email, it will be much more difficult or even impossible to retrieve your accounts.

The damage caused by a compromised email account could be far greater than the harm caused by a hacked Yelp account.

Follow these steps to secure your email address:

• Change your email password immediately using a strong and unique password.
• Check recovery emails and make sure that only your recovery email is listed on your account. Hackers often add new email addresses to gain access later.
• Check recovery phone numbers and make sure to review your account for any unrecognized phone numbers, as hackers often add new numbers to gain access at a later point.
• Check for any suspicious activity in your sent and deleted items folders.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email account for added security.

2. Recover your Yelp Account

There are two scenarios for what may have happened to your Yelp account: either the hacker changed only your password or they changed both your password and your email address, phone number, or other contact information.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for both scenarios.

The hacker changed your password

If you are unable to log in with your current password, follow the prompts on the Yelp login page to create a new one.

• Navigate to the official Yelp login page.
• Click on the “Forgot Password/Need help?” option under the password field.
• Enter your email address.
• Yelp will send you an email with instructions on how to reset your password.

In an ideal scenario, the login link will be dispatched to either your email or phone number, granting you access through a security code that will enable you to regain access and reset your password.

If you’re lucky, you can fix the problem without even needing to reach out to Yelp support. This would be the ideal scenario, allowing you to resolve the issue quickly.

It would be a wise move to notify the customer support team of Yelp regarding the hack, just to ensure that no suspicious activities were carried out during the time the hacker had access to your account.

the hacker changed both your password and email address/phone number

If you’re having trouble logging in and have requested a password reset through the “Forgot Password/Need Help?” button, but haven’t received a link, it’s possible that your email and/or phone number may have been changed.

In such cases, you’ll need to get in touch with the Yelp support team as soon as possible. They will ask you to verify your identity and ask you for some personal information to verify that you are the real owner of the account.

It’s super important to use the same device and network you always use when you’re on Yelp. This way, they can easily verify that it’s actually you who own the account and you won’t be pestered with too many questions. Plus, the whole process will go much quicker.

Locate the Yelp “Help” or “Contact Us” page at the bottom of their website and click on it.

Now, you can either fill out the form or directly send them an email.

• Make sure the first drop-down menu of the contact form is set to “Account issues”
• Fill out the rest of the contact form with the necessary information concerning your case.
  • Be sure the email address you enter is one you have access to.
  • Clearly explain what exactly is going on with your account and provide as many details as possible to make the whole process easier and faster.
• Click “Submit/Send”.
• Wait for a reply.
  • It can take anywhere between a few hours to a few days.

Most of the time they will either lock or ban the Yelp account temporarily until they investigate your case.

Tips & Tricks to speed up the Recovery process.

There are several tips to help you recover your hacked Yelp account quickly and smoothly, and avoid unnecessary communication with their support team.

• Use the same device and network you normally use when you fill in the account recovery form.
• Make sure to give them all the important details without any unnecessary fluff. Remember, they’re not doing you a favor, so be clear and to the point.
• Include screenshots if needed. (Use an image host to upload them and include the link)
• Contact Yelp support on their social media accounts and let them know that you need help urgently.(Twitter/Facebook/IG)
• Create a Reddit or Twitter thread and tag Yelp asking for a resolution.

3. Check your devices for Malware

Not sure how your Yelp account got hacked? If there’s even a slim chance of malware on any device or network, consider scanning all connected devices.

This will completely remove any potential malware, viruses, or keyloggers, keeping your devices and network safe in the future.

It’s super important to make sure your devices don’t have any malware. If they do, all your accounts and devices could be in danger.

• Run a comprehensive antivirus scan on all devices using antivirus software.
  • It’s pretty straightforward: just download MalwareBytes.
  • Install it on all your devices.
  • Run the App and click on “Scan Now“.
  • Wait for the scan to finish, and choose “Quarantine All Threats” when it’s done.

If any malware is detected, follow the antivirus software’s recommended steps to remove it.

If not, keep an eye on the next few days to see if you notice anything out of the ordinary going on.

4. Change All Your Passwords

Apart from updating your Yelp account password, I advise you to update the passwords from every single online account that you care about and possibly use a different password for each of the accounts.

I know it sounds like a lot to do. You can get NordPass, which can help you create, organize, and encrypt all your passwords so you don’t have to worry or remember them each time you want to log in.

Preferably create 12-16 characters passwords including numbers, Uppercase, lowercase, and symbols. NordPass can randomly generate them for you, so just click on “Generate Strong Password“.

How to change all your online account passwords and keep everything organized in one place:

Download NordPass and install it on any or all of your devices. (Even on one device will do the trick for the moment)

Now, on the homepage of the app, you can choose to either add all your passwords one by one or import them from your browser and then change them.

Start generating new unique and strong passwords for each of your accounts and change them using the “Password Generator” feature.

That’s it! From now on, NordPass will take care of everything for you. It will automatically fill in your passwords whenever you try to log in to any websites or apps. Additionally, it will notify you if it finds your password in any data breaches and send you alerts to update them as soon as possible.

5. Encrypt your internet connection

It’s important to add an extra layer of protection to your online presence by encrypting your internet connection, and NordVPN can help with that.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how NordVPN will protect you in the future:

• Masking Your IP Address: NordVPN hides your IP address, making it nearly impossible for hackers to trace your online actions back to you. It’s like having a digital cloak of invisibility.
• Data Encryption: When connected to NordVPN, your data travels through a secure tunnel, keeping it safe from hackers and even your internet service provider. Imagine sending letters in a locked, unbreakable box instead of a transparent envelope.
• No-logs Policy: NordVPN doesn’t keep track of where you go or what you do online. So even if NordVPN gets hacked, there is no risk for you.

Here’s how to get started with NordVPN:

1. Download NordVPN: Head over to the NordVPN website and choose a plan that suits you. They even offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to take it for a test drive.
2. Install NordVPN: Once downloaded, follow the prompts to install NordVPN on your device.
3. Connect to a Server: Open NordVPN, and click on a server location on the map, or use the ‘Quick Connect’ button to hook up to a server with just one click.
4. Browse with Peace of Mind: Now that you are connected to NordVPN, your internet connection is encrypted. You can browse, shop, and interact online with a shield of privacy.
5. Make It a Habit: Make connecting to NordVPN a part of your daily online routine. It’s a small step that can prevent big troubles.

There are plans that offer VPN, password manager, adblocker, malware protection, and data breach scanners as an all-in-one protection suite, which is totally worth it in my opinion.

6. Protect your Yelp Account

Below you can find a comprehensive list of things you can do to secure your Yelp account.

• Use Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Change Passwords Regularly: Refresh your passwords every few months to reduce the risk of compromise.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Utilize 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Utilize Password Managers: Use password managers to create, store, and manage your passwords securely.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions: Withhold from accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Update Security Questions: Ensure your security questions are unique and hard to guess.
• Check Account Activity: Regularly review account activity for any unauthorized or suspicious activities.
• Use Unique Passwords for Different Accounts: Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
• Maintain Updated Contact Information: Keep your account recovery information, such as email and phone number, updated.
• Verify Email Addresses and Phone Numbers: Verify all email addresses and phone numbers associated with your account.
• Use Secure Connections (HTTPS): Ensure websites use HTTPS, indicating a secure connection.
• Be Wary of Phishing Scams: Avoid clicking on suspicious links and providing sensitive information on dubious websites.
• Log Out of Accounts: Log out of your accounts, especially on shared or public computers.
• Install Security Software: Keep a reliable antivirus and anti-malware software installed and updated.
• Enable Account Notifications: Set up notifications for new logins or unusual account activities.
• Be Cautious with Security Checkpoints: Only provide personal information to verified and trusted sources.
• Regularly Backup Data: Keep backups of important data in case of account loss.
• Educate Yourself on Latest Scams: Stay updated on the latest phishing scams and hacking threats.
• Encrypt Sensitive Communications: Use encryption tools for sensitive communications.
• Avoid Saving Passwords on Browsers: It’s safer to use a password manager than saving passwords on browsers.
• Check Permissions: Review and manage the permissions of apps and services connected to your account.
• Beware of Unknown Email Attachments: Don’t open email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Employ a VPN to mask your IP address and encrypt your connection.
• Limit Social Sharing: Avoid sharing too much personal information on social media that could be used to answer security questions.
• Review Account Settings: Regularly review and update your account privacy and security settings.
• Delete Unused Accounts: Remove old or unused accounts to minimize your digital footprint.
• Use Biometric Authentication: Where possible, use fingerprint or face recognition features for account access.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system and apps to the latest security patches.
• Be Cautious with Permission Requests: Only grant necessary permissions to apps and services, and understand the data they access.

You can find detailed instructions on each of these suggestions in our guide about protecting Yelp accounts from hackers.

How to tell if your Yelp has been hacked

Yelp is a prime target for hackers. Knowing how to detect a hacked Yelp account and secure it is crucial in safeguarding your personal information.

Unexpected Password Changes

If you’re unable to log in to your Yelp account using your known password, it could be a clear indication that your account has been hacked. In case you haven’t modified your password lately and are confident that you’re entering it accurately, there’s a possibility that someone unauthorized may have taken over your account and changed the password.

Unusual Activity

Emails, messages, or activities you do not recognize, unauthorized purchases or transactions, and changes to your personal information, or account settings are all signs that your account may have been compromised.

Notifications of Unrecognized Logins

Yelp sends notifications when your account is accessed from a new device or location. If you receive such alerts but don’t recall logging in from the specified device or location, it may indicate unauthorized access.

Password Reset Emails

Receiving unexpected password reset emails could be a sign that someone is attempting to gain unauthorized access to your account on Yelp.

Unfamiliar Security Questions or Backup Emails:

If you see that your security questions have been changed or some unknown backup email has been added to your account, it may mean that someone is trying to lock you out or take over your account.

Unexpected Credit Card Charges or Bank Transactions

Make sure you keep an eye on your credit card and bank statements to catch any unauthorized charges or transactions. If anything seems fishy, it could mean someone is using your account for fraudulent activities.

Hacked Yelp Account: Frequently Asked Questions

Statistics about hacked online accounts