Note To Self Email Scam

Scam Variations

• Sextortion: The sender claims to have recorded you via your webcam while you were watching adult content.
• Account Breach: They claim to have installed malware (like "Pegasus") on your device and demand a ransom in Bitcoin to prevent leaking your data.
• Service Updates: Some look like legitimate notifications (e.g., Netflix or TV Licensing) but are sent from "you" to bypass spam filters.

Verify it's a Fake

1. Check your "Sent" folder: Since these are spoofed from external servers, the email will not appear in your actual sent items.
2. View Message Source: In Outlook or Gmail, you can "View Original" or "Message Source" to see the real sender's IP address and hidden email.
3. Look for "Unverified" Banners: Modern email clients often flag these spoofed messages with a warning because they fail security checks like SPF or DKIM.

What to Do

• Do NOT pay or reply: Responding confirms your email is active, making you a target for more spam.
• Mark as Spam/Junk: This helps train your email provider's filters to catch similar spoofs in the future.
• Secure your account: If you're worried, change your password and ensure Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is enabled for peace of mind.
• Report it: You can report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).