I've been getting a surge of fraudulent emails and texts that seem eerily relevant to things I'm actually doing. For instance, when I have a UPS or FedEx delivery on the way, I often receive scam messages claiming my package is delayed at customs. Additionally, after setting up Microsoft programs on my new Windows laptop, I've started receiving fake emails about Microsoft products, which I never encountered before. Is this just a coincidence, or is it possible that someone is monitoring my emails, searches, or online activity to tailor these scams?
5 Answers
If someone had access to your emails, they’d probably just reset your account passwords instead of sending scam emails. So I doubt they have full access. But is there any chance someone could be using malware to get a peek at your information?
Yeah, there are some clever malware types that can silently track your activity without outright hijacking your account.
Most of this stuff comes from browser cookies. It's common for scammers to target folks who are waiting for shipments. I get a handful of these fake notifications a day, so it’s not just you! It's more a reflection of common trends.
Make sure to check your email settings for any forwarding rules you didn't set. Also, change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. If you signed up for newsletters, that could lead to more scam texts too. Just be cautious about any suspicious messages and verify URLs before clicking anything.
They send these kinds of scam messages en masse! It's all about probability. They target a lot of people because many expect packages.
Yeah, I get tons too. It’s just weird that I started getting ones related to Microsoft right after I set things up.
This sort of scam is typical! They're targeting anyone who shops online like we all do, so don’t stress too much about it being specific to you. They're just casting a wide net with these fake shipping notifications.
Exactly! I don't think they need full access. There's definitely ways to get some info without being able to send or receive emails.