Sometimes you find out fast — a password stops working, or you get a notification about a login from somewhere you've never been. Sometimes it's subtler. Here's what to watch for and what to do the moment something seems off.

Signs to look for

You get an email saying your password was changed — but you didn't change it. You receive a verification code by text or email that you didn't request. You notice a login from an unfamiliar location in your account's activity log. You see charges or transactions you don't recognize. Your friends tell you they're getting strange messages from your account. Your password suddenly stops working.

Any one of these is worth taking seriously. Together, they're a clear sign something is wrong.

What to do right now

If you still have access to the account, change the password immediately. Make it something you've never used before. Then turn on two-factor authentication if it isn't already on.

Check the account's login history. Most major services — Gmail, Apple ID, Facebook, your bank — have a section in settings that shows recent logins with dates and locations. Look for anything unfamiliar and revoke access to any devices or sessions you don't recognize.

If you think your email was compromised, treat it as urgent. Your email is the key to everything else. From there, check your other important accounts — bank, credit cards, any accounts connected to that email.

If you've been locked out and can't get back in, look for the account's official account recovery process. This usually involves verifying your identity with a backup email, phone number, or security questions. Go directly to the company's website — never through a link in an email.

After you've secured things

Once the immediate problem is handled, it's worth doing a broader check: run your email through haveibeenpwned.com, review your accounts for anything suspicious, and use this as the push to set up a password manager if you haven't already.

If you're not sure where to start or you're feeling overwhelmed, PCRescue can help you work through it step by step. That's what we're here for.