How to Locate and Delete Accounts Linked to Your Email Address

The average person in the US keeps over 100 online accounts, many of which they only use for a day and then forget. However, these accounts remain vulnerable to a security breach.

So, why should you proactively monitor your online accounts?

These accounts store various data, including sensitive information you want to avoid falling into the wrong hands. Knowing how to locate and manage these accounts is essential, whether for security reasons or to manage your digital footprint.

Why is Finding Linked Accounts Important?

Understanding why it's crucial to locate and manage accounts associated with your email is the first step in taking control of your online presence.

1. Security and Privacy: You may have signed up for multiple online services over time. If one of these services experiences a data breach, your personal information could be compromised. Locating and managing these accounts helps you maintain your security and online privacy.

2. Reduce Clutter: Numerous unused or forgotten accounts can lead to inbox clutter. Cleaning up these accounts streamlines your online presence and helps you stay organized.

3. Prevent Unauthorized Access: If you're no longer using an account, leaving it unchecked could provide a potential entry point for unauthorized access. Managing these accounts can help you prevent any security threats.

Now, let's get into the step-by-step process of finding and managing accounts linked to your email address.

How do I find all email accounts in my name?

Discovering all the accounts linked to your email address might seem overwhelming. Still, it can be straightforward when you know the right steps. Here’s a simple guide to help you uncover them:

1. Check Linked Accounts through Your Email Provider

Most popular email platforms like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook offer tools to see which services or apps can access your email account. 

• Gmail:
  • Open your Google Account by going to myaccount.google.com.
  • Click on the "Security" tab on the left-hand menu.
  • Scroll down to the section titled "Third-party apps with account access."
  • Here, you’ll see a list of apps and websites that are linked to your Gmail account.
• Yahoo:
  • Go to your Yahoo Account page by logging in at login.yahoo.com.
  • Select "Account Security" from the left-hand menu.
  • Look for "Manage Apps & Website Connections" to see a list of all the services connected to your Yahoo email.
• Outlook:
  • Navigate to your Microsoft Account page at account.microsoft.com.
  • Click on the "Privacy" option in the top menu.
  • Under the "Apps and services" section, you’ll find a list of all accounts linked to your Outlook email.

2. Look for Accounts Linked to Your Social Media

Your social media accounts are often used to log in to other websites and apps, making it easy to lose track of where you have connections. It's important to keep an eye on these linked accounts because they may have access to your personal information, and if forgotten, they could become a security risk.

Facebook:

1. Go to "Settings & Privacy": Start by opening Facebook and clicking on the small arrow in the top right corner to access your account settings.
2. Click on "Apps and Websites": Navigate to "Settings & Privacy" and then to "Apps and Websites." This section lists all the apps and websites connected to your Facebook account.
3. Review the list: You’ll see a list of active, expired, and removed connections. You can manage or remove access to any app or website that you no longer use or trust.

Twitter:

1. Go to "Settings and Privacy": In your Twitter account, click on your profile icon and select "Settings and Privacy."
2. Click on "Account" and then "Apps and Sessions": In the "Account" section, you'll find "Apps and Sessions," where Twitter lists all the apps and websites that have access to your account.
3. Review and revoke access: Here, you can see a list of connected apps. If there are any that you no longer use, you can easily revoke their access.

LinkedIn:

1. Go to "Settings & Privacy": Open LinkedIn and click on your profile icon, then select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown menu.
2. Under the "Account" tab, click on "Partners and Services": In the "Account" section, find "Partners and Services," which lists all the external services connected to your LinkedIn account.
3. Manage connections: Review the list and disconnect any services that you don't recognize or no longer need.

3. Check the Saved Logins on Your Browser

Modern web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, often save your login credentials to make it easier to access your accounts. By checking your saved logins, you can find out which accounts are linked to your email address:

• Chrome:
  1. Open Chrome and go to "Settings."
  2. Under "Autofill," click on "Passwords."
  3. You'll see a list of saved login credentials, including the associated email addresses.
• Firefox:
  1. Open Firefox and go to "Options."
  2. Click on "Privacy & Security" and then "Saved Logins."
  3. You'll see a list of saved logins along with the corresponding email addresses.
• Edge:
  1. Open Edge and go to "Settings."
  2. Click on "Profiles" and then "Passwords."
  3. You'll see a list of saved logins and their associated email addresses.

4. Search Your Mailbox for Account-Creation Keywords

Another effective way to find linked accounts is to search your email inbox for keywords associated with account creation. Common keywords to search for include:

• "Welcome to"
• "Verify your email"
• "Confirm your account"
• "Your account has been created"

How to Find Accounts Linked to Your Phone

Just like you can find accounts linked to your email, you can also find accounts linked to your phone number. Many services let you sign up or log in using your phone number. Here's how to find those accounts:

1. Look for Verification Texts: Check your text messages for codes sent by different services. These texts often mean your phone number is connected to an account.
2. Check App Permissions: Go to your phone's settings and see which apps have permission to use your phone number. This can help you identify accounts linked to your number.

How to Check if Your Email is Hacked

It's important to find linked accounts for security reasons too. If you think your email might be hacked, here's what to do:

1. Look for Unauthorized Logins: Most email services let you check recent logins. Watch for any that seem unfamiliar.
2. Change Your Passwords: If you notice anything suspicious, change your email password right away and set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra protection.
3. Use Security Tools: Websites like "Have I Been Pwned?" can tell you if your email has been part of a data breach.

Final Thoughts

Locating and managing accounts associated with your email address is a proactive step in maintaining your online security and decluttering your digital life. Regularly reviewing these accounts can reduce the risk of compromised personal information and ensure a more streamlined online experience.

Remember to follow specific account management procedures for each service and prioritize security.