Id Hacked

This seems to be happenng more frequently. A couple of years ago it was  Yahoo email and more recently Google.

First of all, stop giving out your email in public forums. You make it very easy to begin the process. And secondly, beware of opening attachments.

If you have  a cell phone, you can make use of the gmail 2nd tier security. This is a 2 step sign in procedure. Every 30 days you when you sign in, you will be provided with a text message giving you a new access code.  Depending upone where you sign in, you might have to wait for the text message more often. http://support.google.com/accounts/bin/static.py?hl=en&topic=1056284&guide=1056283&page=guide.cs

You might have to print out your contact list, get a new email address and only advise your contact list that you have changed addresses.

You can also set up a forward from your old account to your new one. Pay close attention to any settings to make sure that someone else didn't set up their own forward on your account.

A much stronger password will also help. It might take awhile but you will remember it. Don't use that password anywhere else.

To avoid the same problem in the future, here is a link to an excellent article which might be of value to you and others as it spells it all out clearly: http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/06/02/how-to-stop-your-gmail-account-being-hacked/

In the meanwhile, if you have other important information stored in your email program, consider checking those accounts and changing passwords there. Apologize to friends and provide them with your new email address.  Change the address on any online billing as well. And if you are saving certain emails, archiving them might add  more protection. You can always forward that info to your new email address before deleting from your old gmail files - including the send file.

One more thing, check your email settings. Although it is a default, select "always use https"

I know it is a horrible feeling, I hope the situation improves for you.