Bogus emails
Bogusemailer
Newbie

I am having an issue where my email account is being used to channel bogus emails to all of my contacts. When one of my contacts replied to the email that he received I was made aware that the emails are not being sent by me yet the account information identifies my email address as the sender. I have contacted all of my contacts and advised them not to open any emails sent from my email address. Every time the hacker sends a new email I receive Postmaster notices of any failures to deliver the message. This is how I know that it is an ongoing issue. I tried to contact Verizon and was forwarded to a solicitation for net protection. I pay for a service that I feel should be secure. Please let me know if any one else is having this problem. A solution would also be helpful.

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Re: Bogus emails
Anti-Phish1
Master - Level 1

@Bogusemailer wrote:

I pay for a service that I feel should be secure.


VZ has no control of a spammer getting a hold of your email address and forging the email headers to make it appear that the spam came from you.

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Re: Bogus emails
jmw1950
Specialist - Level 2

Not quite true, I've had trouble with forged emails using my address as the sender from the Verizon Wireless network. It appears that Verizon doesn't really care what email address the sender uses on the Wireless network. I know I didn't send them because I don't even have a cell phone, let alone on the Verizon Wireless network. Talking to Verizon got me no where, and if you don't have a Verizon Wireless account, you cannot communicate with anyone at Verizon Wireless directly.

I finally sent a demand letter with some of the offending messages complete with headers to the legal department at  Verizon Wireless's Headquarters by certified mail. That particular problem ceased shortly thereafter...

However most of the forged headers are in fact originating from outside the Verizon Network, and those Verizon has no control over. 

The bad part when they steal your email address is the hundreds and hundreds of messages that get returned as undeliverable. I added a filter on my email so that returned email messages go directly into the trash, rather than my box. It isn't 100%, but probably does catch 95% of the returned emails...

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Re: Bogus emails
oreogizmo
Enthusiast - Level 3

I had something like this happen to me today.  I use Windows Mail for my email and very rarely go to the Verizon website to check my email.   I received 4 notifications about undelivered email, that I know I did not send.

However, when I logged into my email on the Verizon site, it showed that I had apparently send emails to those that are in the Contacts folder on the website, not contacts that I have in Windows Mail.  I haven't updated the website contact folder, and there were a few addresses that no longer existed.  That's why I got the failure of delivery notices.   

The messages contained some quotes from a book called "Radio Boy Cronies", and each one included a link, which I did not open. 

I did call Verizon and they suggested that I change my password to a much stronger one than I had.  It apppears more that someone hacked into my email, rather than just copied my email address.  The emails also show that they were sent through Verizon Mobile.  The tech support I spoke to said they would initiate an investigation.

Because I was aware of the problem, I was able to send out emails warning the recipients not to open the mail or click on the link.  After updating my contact list, I did leave the invalid addresses there, just in case it happens again.  That way I will receive a notice of failure of delivery.

Re: Bogus emails
powerplant
Newbie

I was stung today as well ... same MO ... sent to all my contacts with a link and a quotation line. All identified as sent thru Verizon wireless (which I don't have).  This by the way might be coincidence, I canceled Verizon call intercept service which we carried on our home phone number since 1999; then the bogus email episode started. 

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Re: Bogus emails
surfcitynj
Newbie

The same thing happened to me today.  There were many emails sent out, each to 5 or 6 people.  Everyone in my address book received one.  What can I do to prevent this?

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