Reply
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,881
Registered: ‎08-04-2013

Received an email today from some nefarious idiot stating he has all my account info, has hacked into my computer, can see me thru my cam doing things,(my cam is covered up) can control my microphone etc. Threatens to expose everything if I don't pay up.

Naturally I changed all passwords when this first was announced in 2016.

 

No backlash please about opening emails.

 

I just wanted anyone who had an account back in 2013 to be aware, the information is still on the dark web and being used.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,946
Registered: ‎03-08-2018

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013

I was talking about this with a friend a couple months ago.  Every time we turn around some company has a data breach.  We figured at this point laughingly that all of our info may be out there somewhere.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,684
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013

@grandma2pkmhOr he doesn't have anything at all and wants you to think he does.   There are many scammers who work like that.

 

Good of you not to click on any links in that email -  it's the clicking that gets us in trouble.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013


@grandma2pkmh wrote:

Received an email today from some nefarious idiot stating he has all my account info, has hacked into my computer, can see me thru my cam doing things,(my cam is covered up) can control my microphone etc. Threatens to expose everything if I don't pay up.

Naturally I changed all passwords when this first was announced in 2016.

 

No backlash please about opening emails.

 

I just wanted anyone who had an account back in 2013 to be aware, the information is still on the dark web and being used.


It’s true that the data from the breach is still available to criminals but it can also be the case that the person emailing you does this to thousands of email addresses a day and he doesn’t have any of the data. This is a common email extortion scam. The scammers threaten to expose you and try to get you to pay them or they try to get you to give them information.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013


@grandma2pkmh wrote:

Received an email today from some nefarious idiot stating he has all my account info, has hacked into my computer, can see me thru my cam doing things,(my cam is covered up) can control my microphone etc. Threatens to expose everything if I don't pay up.

Naturally I changed all passwords when this first was announced in 2016.

 

No backlash please about opening emails.

 

I just wanted anyone who had an account back in 2013 to be aware, the information is still on the dark web and being used.


I had one scammer that had an old password of mine and he included this in his bogus email.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,881
Registered: ‎08-04-2013

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013

@Mindy D   Yes this person had an old password from Yahoo.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013


@grandma2pkmh wrote:

@Mindy D   Yes this person had an old password from Yahoo.


Not sure which breach the old password stemmed from. These scammers trade and sell information derived from breaches on the dark web. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,637
Registered: ‎06-15-2015

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013

I no longer use Yahoo for e-mails   because of all the spam,etc ..

 

preds 06-21-20
"Always be thankful andyou'll have more than you know."
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,736
Registered: ‎02-19-2014

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013

It's spam/phishing.

 

I'd just tighten up my security, change my passwords again, do a complete virus/spyware check every day, and switch to dual authentication if possible (that's where your phone has an app on it that makes sure it's you when you log on on a computer.)

 

Gmail has dual authentication. I use it, and it's not a bother at all.

When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.
"Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,394
Registered: ‎04-19-2010

Re: Yahoo data breach from 2013

Five nincompoops have sent me an extortion email. I guessing if they want to share video of me squinting at the screen as I try to read the description of a QVC top without my readers on they can. I just delete these nonsense emails but the fact that people stoop so low to get money is depressing. The internet and social media are like amusement parks for crooks.