A Google account is a gateway to a suite of tools many people use for work, school or personal productivity. If you have a GMail account, you’ve probably also used Google Docs, and perhaps Calendar or Photos. But what happens to all that productivity if you get locked out of your account for some reason?
Tech expert Omar Gallaga wrote about the process of regaining access to a locked Google account for Wired.
Highlights from this segment:
– Google says there are three reasons people lose access to their accounts: password issues, belief by Google that an account has been hacked, and suspected violation of company policies by the account holder.
– To address a password or hacking issue, Google recommends account holders use the Automated Account Recovery process. It walks the user through various steps to regain access.
– If Google believes a user has violated a company policy, such as sending spam email or engaging in phising attacks, the account will be suspended and the user given an opportunity to appeal the decision, at which point a Google employee will review the case.
– It’s typically not possible to contact a Google employee for help with account access issues, unless you are a YouTube Partner or have a paid account.
