Very strange incident... email hacking?

by DavidO
3 replies
I got an email yesterday from someone wanting to order my product by money order. I emailed him back the instructions and my mailing address.

Today he confirmed his order and added as a "by the way"...

"Do you know "so-and-so"? Is he a partner of yours?"

"So and so" happens to be a competitor and, in my opinion, a scamster. He sells remedies not only in my niche but for about every ailment you can imagine.

So I asked my customer for more details and he forwarded me the email he received from "so and so" at "EXACTLY THE SAME TIME AS MY FIRST EMAIL!"

UPDATE: After looking at the address more closely it turns out he's using the same mail forwarding network as I use. The address was identical except for the box number and at first look I thought it was mine.
Nevertheless, the timing of the incident makes me awful suspicious that somehow he tapped into my email.

Just as alarming is the fact that his spam email has my mailing address at the bottom!

The email from so-and-so was a standard pitch with a link to his sales page.

This is obviously spamming but the timing and the (possibly accidental) use of my mailing address seems to indicate a possible hacking of my email.

Can anyone think of any other explanation? And what would you recommend doing in this situation? I want to take the hardest line possible.

UPDATE: On closer look at the address it turns out he uses the same mail facility as I do. The addresses are identical expect for the box number and at first look I thought it was mine.
Nevertheless, the timing of the incident makes me awful suspicious that he tapped into my email.
#email #hacking #incident #strange
  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    First I would follow through the sales process myself - or ask a friend/relative - to see if the same thing happens again.

    If it does, do it a few times to gather evidence.

    If it continues to happen, then send the evidence to your competitor's web host and try to get his site taken down. Also report him to whichever are the relevant authorities.

    Then change all your passwords etc. Maybe change servers. I'm sure the more technical here will have more helpful suggestions of what to do next.
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  • Profile picture of the author Agnel
    Originally Posted by ProductCreator View Post

    I just ignore emails from people wanting to order by money order. Not worth the inevitable hassle.
    Yes I agree most of the time too. But, when it happens that if someone gets us somewhat more personally than simple buy and sell things, everyone will definitely take a look.
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