Email and Social Media Hacking Soars: Bridlington Residents Urged to Switch to Passkeys

Saturday 17th October 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

Bridlington residents are being urged to strengthen their online security after a dramatic rise in email and social media account hacking across the UK.

Report Fraud, the national cyber crime reporting service, says stolen sums linked to hacked accounts have surged by 417 per cent in the past year — rising from £1.2 million in 2024/25 to £6.3 million in 2025/26. Reports of account hacking also jumped 34 per cent, making it the most common form of cyber crime nationwide.

The warning comes as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with a new campaign encouraging people to switch to passkeys — a safer, password‑free way to log in — and review their privacy settings.

Local cyber‑protect officers say coastal communities like Bridlington, where social media and online shopping are heavily used, can be particularly vulnerable to account takeovers.

Account hacking occurs when criminals gain unauthorised access to an email, social media, or online account and use it to commit further fraud. Once inside, they may impersonate the account owner to target friends and family, request money, sell fake tickets, or carry out other scams.

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Kettle, Head of Crime Services at Report Fraud, said:

“We urge everyone to remain vigilant and take simple steps to protect their accounts. Switching to passkeys and enabling two‑step verification can make a huge difference.”

Victims often lose access to important accounts and personal data, while friends and family may also be tricked by messages sent from hacked profiles.

🔐 How Bridlington Residents Can Protect Themselves

• Use passkeys wherever available — they’re more secure and easier than passwords.

• Enable two‑step verification (2SV) on all accounts.

• Review privacy settings so only trusted contacts can see your posts.

• Avoid oversharing personal details like birthdays or pet names online.

• Verify unexpected messages by contacting the sender through another method.

• Report suspected hacks at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

💻 Free Webinar: Protect Your Accounts

As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Report Fraud is hosting a Social Media and Email Hacking Webinar to help the public guard against online fraud. The session will cover current cyber threats, common tactics such as phishing and SIM‑swap fraud, and practical steps to secure your accounts.

Register here: Report Fraud Webinar

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