> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sipgate.de/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sipgate.de/cloud-telefonanlage/en/account-management/login/was-mache-ich-wenn-ich-einen-verifizierungscode-per-e-mail-erhalten-habe-obwohl.md).

# What do I do if I received a verification code by email?

What to do about unexpected sipgate verification codes? Causes, security measures, and steps to protect your account.

**Why did I receive the code by email?**

If you have received a verification code from our system by email even though you did not log in at all, this is usually because unauthorized persons have obtained your access data.

It repeatedly happens that countless login credentials are stolen in large quantities by hackers from major companies such as Adobe or Dropbox (breach). If the owners of these credentials then use the same combination of email address and password with other providers, it is relatively easy for unauthorized persons to gain access to those accounts.

To prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to sipgate customers' accounts, we send a second factor when logging in—the verification code. If an unauthorized person tries to log in to someone else's account, the account holder receives the email and thus the information that there is a security risk. The unauthorized person does not succeed in logging in to the account.

**What can I do to make sure my account is secure again?**

To restore the security of a sipgate account, it is unfortunately necessary to carry out a few steps. This is not particularly complicated, but it does take some time.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Especially important: change the email account password**

Unfortunately, many people also use the same login credentials for their personal email account as they do elsewhere. To prevent unauthorized third parties from repeatedly gaining access to personal data (e.g. by resetting passwords), it is essential to first update the password for the email inbox.
{% endhint %}

**Restore account security**

If an unauthorized person has already gained access to a sipgate account, the following steps must be taken after changing the email password.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Change login password**

Set a new password for login
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Renew SIP passwords**

Set new SIP passwords for all devices of the entire account, as these can continue to be used with external devices.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Check account**

Check whether changes have been made to the account (changes to email addresses or automatic top-up, newly booked contracts, or newly created users).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

**What is the goal behind logging into other people's accounts?**

The goals behind unauthorized logins to other people's accounts are varied. Most often, the aim is to generate revenue shares by making as many calls as possible to expensive numbers abroad.

**How do I best secure my sipgate access?**

{% hint style="info" %}
In the user settings, you can activate two-factor authentication. This provides even more security and is strongly recommended by us.
{% endhint %}


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