Email account stolen

This happened to me last week. I noticed an email from me, to me.

So I thought, "hmmm, I don't remember sending myself an email at 3:29AM".

I pulled it up, and it was spam for Viagra. I went into my sent files, and to my horror, it was sent to ALL my email addys starting with an "A", and part of the "B's". Most, of which, are clients ~ LMAO

Our computer tech, at work, told me to change my password, if it continues, then I'll take my computer to work, and he'll clean it up. So I did that, and so far, no more "sent" mails at 3 in the morning.

:w00t: wow:w00t: I need to let dh read this. thanks

You feel kind of invaded. nasty. They actually stole my whole account. I couldn't even sign in. Had to contact microsoft and fill in a big form giving them lots of my info.

Which e-mail account provider? Am wondering if some accounts more susceptible than others. One thing I do too to help hackers from stealing my e-mail addresses and sending bogus e-mails to all: Put in your very first address in your directory [email protected]. Then if these hackers hit, it stops them from going thru the list because it doesn't exist and bounces it. It's seemed to work as a deterrent for years.

Lately I've been having problems with my computer as well. I don't know where its coming from but when I'm on SM and click on a thread (say it's for fleas) as soon as the thread I clicked on pops up I also get another window about some flea medication. It's so annoying.

Johita said:

Lately I've been having problems with my computer as well. I don't know where its coming from but when I'm on SM and click on a thread (say it's for fleas) as soon as the thread I clicked on pops up I also get another window about some flea medication. It's so annoying.

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Do you have pop-up blocker on? I don't get any of those and don't know if it's because I have pop-up blocker or because I have a paid membership. I think that we're shielded from some of the ads.

Snowbody said:

Which e-mail account provider? Am wondering if some accounts more susceptible than others. One thing I do too to help hackers from stealing my e-mail addresses and sending bogus e-mails to all: Put in your very first address in your directory [email protected]. Then if these hackers hit, it stops them from going thru the list because it doesn't exist and bounces it. It's seemed to work as a deterrent for years.

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The only one hacked was my hotmail. My gmail no probs. The first address is useful, I will try that, but not in this case as they took over the whole account :w00t:

Johita said:

Lately I've been having problems with my computer as well. I don't know where its coming from but when I'm on SM and click on a thread (say it's for fleas) as soon as the thread I clicked on pops up I also get another window about some flea medication. It's so annoying.

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I am not having those problems. (touch wood) I am on a Mac though and do have a lot of stuff blocked.

Snowbody said:

Which e-mail account provider? Am wondering if some accounts more susceptible than others. One thing I do too to help hackers from stealing my e-mail addresses and sending bogus e-mails to all: Put in your very first address in your directory [email protected]. Then if these hackers hit, it stops them from going thru the list because it doesn't exist and bounces it. It's seemed to work as a deterrent for years.

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Very good. I just added the "nothing" contact. It does go down the line, and I stopped mine in the middle of the "B's". Thanks for the info.

Oh, and our "geek" at work, said this is a huge problem with Hotmail, but has now been a problem with all email accounts. My problem was with AOL.

That has happened to me too...I use aol for e-mail....I had a loooooooong list of names in my address book starting with a's and going all the way to z's....It took me forever to get rid of them...I don't know what's going on.

Hugs, Blanche

I've had this happen to me several times on AOL. A friend has Gmail and her business email was hacked. She even somehow lost her client contact list and was locked out of the account for a couple of days. I have several friends that this has happened too and it doesn't seem to matter what provider you use, they get in.

I'm sorry this happened but I'm glad you posted about it (and thank you to Sue to for the [email protected] advice too). I just did that and changed my password.

I am thinking that I will make a copy of my contact list, just in case, for future ref. and if there were any important emails that I need to keep and store them in a folder on my Mac.

im so sorry to hear this...it must be such a pain!! ((HUGS))

one of my gmail accounts got hacked awhile back, it was a pain, i would suggest at least having a password with letters & numbers minimum, and even better would be to add in a symbol or two to help strengthen the password

joe said:

one of my gmail accounts got hacked awhile back, it was a pain, i would suggest at least having a password with letters & numbers minimum, and even better would be to add in a symbol or two to help strengthen the password

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My gmail would be even more of a pain. I did change to a harder password, but yes I think I will try letters numbers and symbols. Then I had better make sure I write it down somewhere or I will never remember it myself :w00t::blush:

silverhaven said:

My gmail would be even more of a pain. I did change to a harder password, but yes I think I will try letters numbers and symbols. Then I had better make sure I write it down somewhere or I will never remember it myself :w00t::blush:

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Maureen - you could always get in touch with a hacker and they'll remind you of your password. :w00t::HistericalSmiley:

Snowbody said:

Maureen - you could always get in touch with a hacker and they'll remind you of your password. :w00t::HistericalSmiley:

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:smtease:nice one.......