To wonder how on earth I get my X back

[Fallulah]

My email account was hacked a few weeks ago. (My passwords were in the easyJet and M&S data breaches and I’m not as good at keeping things up to date as I should be so that’s probably how - I have learned!)

Whoever it was put filters on my email so that I wouldn’t see password reset emails coming in for various social media and shopping accounts.

I’ve sorted and changed everything but no matter how I try I cannot get access to my X account. Whatever your views on X, I’ve had the account nearly 20 years through two career changes and have some lovely networks on there.

When I first went to log in, I was presented with two options - my account and an account with the name reversed but using my photo. I clicked to delete this second account (more on that later) and when I clicked on ‘my’ account, I of course could not log in. But when I go to forgot password it tells me the account doesn’t exist.

I have put in four support requests with X and each one comes back telling me they’ve reinstated access to my account and I just have to choose a new strong password, but when I go to X I’m still told my account doesn’t exist. I’ve sent screenshots and I’ve explained in really simple terms what the issue is.

Meanwhile the ‘clone’ account is posting all over the place asking people to DM etc. I have tried to report this account for impersonation from my partner’s account but at the point it asks you who the account is impersonating, you have to choose from a list of usernames which of course mine isn’t on because in the eyes of X it doesn’t exist.

If you google my username, the account is still there and hasn’t been posting.

I’m not getting it back am I? Has anyone else managed to successfully navigate this?

I asked Grok, because it's integrated with X, and this was its response:

Based on similar situations shared by other users, it's definitely possible to recover your account, but it often takes persistence—sometimes days, weeks, or even longer—since X support can be slow and automated at first. Many people have succeeded by repeatedly submitting detailed tickets with proof of ownership (e.g., old login details, associated phone numbers, screenshots of past emails from X, or even government ID if requested). The key is not giving up and escalating with more info each time. Here's a breakdown of what you can try, drawing from official X guidance and real user reports.
Official Recovery Steps for a Hacked or Inaccessible Account
If the system says your account doesn't exist during password reset, it might mean it's been suspended, deleted by the hacker, or flagged internally—but it's often still recoverable if you can prove ownership. Start here:
Use the Dedicated Hacked Account Form: Go directly to X's official recovery form for compromised accounts. Fill it out with your username, the email originally linked to it (even if changed), any associated phone number, and the approximate last date you had access. Explain the clone issue and attach screenshots (e.g., the login screen showing both accounts, Google search results proving your username exists, and the scam posts from the clone). Be as detailed as possible—mention the data breaches and email filters to show how the hack likely happened.
Password Reset Attempt: Even if it fails, try the "Forgot Password" flow again from a different device or browser. If it prompts for verification, note any error messages and include them in your next support ticket. Some users report that after support "reinstates" access (like in your case), it takes 24-48 hours for changes to propagate, so wait a bit before retrying.
If Support Responses Are Unhelpful: Keep submitting new tickets via the same form—don't reply to old ones, as they might get buried. One user who had their email and 2FA changed by a hacker filed over 100 tickets with every piece of proof (passport, IDs, original signup email) and finally got access restored after using the original Gmail tied to the account.d3fc68 Another waited 4 months but got back in once support manually intervened.77a935 In your case, since support keeps saying it's reinstated but you can't see it, emphasize in tickets that the reset link isn't working and provide timestamps from their responses.
Secure Your Setup While Waiting: Double-check that your email is fully secured (change password, enable 2FA, remove any suspicious filters or forwards). Scan devices for malware, as hackers sometimes use that to maintain access. One person regained control after a week by disconnecting all linked devices/apps, changing 2FA to a new number, and doing a full phone factory reset.01e56c
Dealing with the Clone/Impersonation Account
This sounds like a common tactic where hackers create a near-identical account to scam your network while locking you out of the real one. Since your original username shows up on Google but isn't active, it might still be intact but suspended or hidden.
Reporting Impersonation: If the dropdown doesn't list your username, select "Someone else" or "A private individual" in the report flow, then manually enter your details in the description field. Explain it's impersonating your (seemingly deleted) account, include links to the clone's posts, and attach evidence like your photo being used. Get friends/family to report it too—multiple reports can flag it faster. One scam recovery story noted that once the clone changed its handle, it triggered X's systems to notice.f43a87
Monitor and Block: Search for your username regularly (via Google or X's search) to track activity. If the clone is posting DM scams, warn your network publicly from another account.
User Success Stories and Timelines
Recovery in 2 days: One person provided username, linked mobile, and original email to support; the hacker had changed email/password, but X fixed it quickly.cd862a
Partial access regained: A user kicked the hacker out temporarily by logging in briefly, then tagged X execs publicly for full restoration—it can take up to 6 weeks for common scams like this.0b19b9fead4f
Exploit awareness: Similar to your "doesn't exist" error, some hacks change all recovery info, making you unable to verify. One high-profile case got resolved after public outcry and support intervention, but noted it's a known security gap.cdd452
Voluntary return (rare): A few hackers backed off after the victim raised awareness publicly, but support was slow.61bd33
Avoid third-party "recovery services" you see advertised—they're often scams. Stick to official channels. If nothing works after a few more tickets, consider tagging @XHelp or @Safety publicly (without doxxing details) to escalate visibility, as some users have had luck that way. Hang in there—20 years of history is worth the fight, and plenty of folks have gotten old accounts back.

Oh wow - thank you! I have done a lot of those things but it sounds like persistence is key!

I will have a rummage in my email and see if I’ve got any old notification emails that might help prove the account is mine too.

In my experience you don’t. I was hacked, submitted numerous requests for reinstatement, all were ignored. So I reluctantly set up a new X account with a different email address. Sadly X then said they were blocking me as I post too much - but I’ve never actually posted on X just used to read it. Now I can’t even read it as I’ve got some sort of ‘super’ block on. Annoyingly DS school use it for all sort of notifications which I often miss. It’s crap. I hate X.