Hackers can misuse your email address in several ways, including sending phishing emails, impersonating you to scam others, or using your account to send spam. They might also try to gain access to other online accounts using the same password you use for your email.
Scammers used to email alert system to trap users
In January, the Federal Trade Commission identified a practice where scammers were increasingly sending fake toll notices by text and email. These cybercriminals target official government mailing systems to make their messages appear legitimate.
In one case shared with TechCrunch, a phishing email claiming unpaid Texas tolls was sent from an Indiana Emergency Operations Center address.
Hackers have reportedly misused a US federal and state government department’s email notification system to send scam messages. This system, which is used to alert residents to important information, has been exploited by cybercriminals, a report claims.
According to a report by TechCrunch, the US state of Indiana has said that it is “aware of fraudulent messages purportedly sent by state agencies” concerning unpaid tolls. The report also claims to have reviewed an example of a scam email sent from an Indiana government department.
This email claimed the recipient had an outstanding toll balance and contained a disguised link redirecting to a malicious site. The Indiana Office of Technology issued a statement saying they are “working with the company that was used to deliver those messages to stop any further communication.”
The state suggested that a contractor’s account was compromised and used to distribute the scam messages.
However, Indiana clarified that it was not aware of “any current state systems” being compromised but did not exclude the possibility of a prior breach. The statement also revealed that the contract with the unnamed company, which ended in December 2024, “did not remove the state’s account.” The company was later identified as government tech major Granicus by TechCrunch.
Simple Ways to Know if your email has been hacked:
- You can’t sign into your account.
- There are strange messages in your sent folder.
- You’re getting password reset emails you didn’t ask for.
- Different IP addresses show up on your log.
- Your social media account has weird posts you didn’t make.
- Friends and family are getting emails or messages you didn’t send.
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