Someone hacked into my email account and attempted to scam me for £800, which I managed to avert - but not before they changed my username and password and then de-activated my account.

I contacted my server (mail.com) via their internet application form citing my daughter's email address - for which they replied that once de-activated, they cannot restore the account.

I find it rather astonishing that given the world-wide problem of hackers, insofar as it being so easy for a hacker to close your account and without you not having some form of re-application option etc. -as I tried to "re-apply" for a new account - but it says my email address is already allocated (to me) - although now deactivated. This way I thought at least I may not get my stored emails back, but as things are, no-one can email me any longer! If deactivated, why does the username (in my case - sleevevalve) not become available again?

At 86 I'm naturally not computer savvy - so may I ask if someone knowledgeable can help me - is there nothing I can do to open a new account with mail.com to at least retain my original email address??

P.S.

I'm running windows 10, and if I try to open outlook.com it asks for an email address to verify my identity- which I cannot do!!!

Stan - are you coming along to the NEC?

Reason being, one of the guys on our stand is quite handy with computers; I might be volunteering him prematurely, but he’s a helpful sort!

Yes -I'm coming on Saturday - would not miss it!

I have to say that when I opened my email account I had to provide three "security" details - my mother's name and my place and date of birth - so why were not incorporated and required in the de-activation process to stop hackers? Just a thought!