What happens when a verified X account is hacked, how long recovery takes?

Verified accounts on X are increasingly being targeted by hackers, with attacks often leading to account lockouts, scam posts and prolonged recovery processes, according to cybersecurity experts and recent reports.

Technology analysts say X's scale, public visibility and role in news and influence make verified accounts particularly attractive to cybercriminals seeking to spread fraud or cryptocurrency scams.

What happens after a verified X account is hacked

Once an account is compromised, attackers typically gain full control of the profile, cybersecurity experts say. According to Forbes, hacked accounts often begin posting unauthorised tweets or sending direct messages containing phishing links, spam or cryptocurrency-related scams.

Users may notice unexpected behaviour such as new follows, blocked accounts or third-party applications being authorised without consent. X may send email alerts warning of suspicious logins or changes to account information, but experts note these alerts often arrive after attackers have already accessed the account.

Security researchers cited by The Record say hackers targeting high-profile or verified accounts usually move quickly to change passwords and recovery details, locking out the legitimate owner before using the account to promote fraudulent activity. The aim is to maximise reach and financial gain by exploiting the account's credibility and follower base.

How long does recovery usually take

X does not publish an official recovery timeline. However, cybersecurity guidance from Guardio outlines typical recovery windows depending on the severity of the compromise.

If the account holder still has access to the registered email address or phone number, recovery can be completed within minutes to one hour using X's password reset process. Where the account is compromised but the user remains logged in, access can usually be secured within one to two hours by changing the password and revoking suspicious app permissions.

Recovery takes longer when attackers change recovery information. Guardio says regaining access in such cases typically takes one to three days, as users must complete identity verification. If a formal recovery request is submitted to X Support, the process usually takes three to seven business days, depending on case complexity.

For high-profile or verified accounts, recovery can take up to two weeks or longer. These cases are often escalated for manual review due to the risk of impersonation, phishing or large-scale fraud. Where the hack involved scam activity, additional checks may extend recovery to five to ten days.

Are verified accounts hacked often?

Cybersecurity experts say yes. While X does not release platform-wide statistics, Guardio reports that thousands of X accounts are compromised daily, with both ordinary users and verified profiles affected.

Reporting by The Record cites SentinelOne researchers who documented an active phishing campaign targeting prominent X accounts, including journalists, politicians, government agencies, technology firms and even an X employee. The attackers primarily used phishing emails and fake login pages to hijack accounts and promote cryptocurrency scams.

A SentinelOne researcher told The Record that the financial incentives behind such attacks have grown, while abusing influential social media accounts has become easier over time.

Why verified accounts face higher risk

Experts say verified accounts are especially valuable targets because they offer immediate access to large audiences and higher levels of trust. Once compromised, a single post from a verified account can reach thousands or millions of users within minutes, increasing the potential impact of scams or misinformation.

Cybersecurity specialists continue to advise verified users to enable two-factor authentication, use unique passwords and remain cautious of unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from X support.