Scam email - Possible reference to the FB

Deadman

Let me just say first that this is in no way intended to criticise the FB, but I've received a threatening email from some idiot quoting my exact old password that I used exclusively to access this site.

Obviously I've ignored it for the scamming crap that it is (threatening to expose me as he has pics of me doing things to myself on a porn site!  ) but he did correctly quote my old password nonetheless.

I've done a little digging and apparently he'll have got this from a 'password dump' or something like that.

Any ideas as to what's going on there? I'm in no way concerned but just have to wonder if it's happened to anyone else.

It may have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with this site, in which case ignore me!

DiscoStu

Yeah I had the exact same a couple of years back but can't remember which site the password was for. Multiple threats, which I ignored, and it went away. Still a worry though

Switch625

Do you use the same email/password combination on multiple sites? If so then chances are those details have been leaked somewhere and are on a database. Scammers/bored assholes will then either

a) Try to log in to various social media/payment websites using those credentials

b) Contact you to try and extort some money

I've had some nightmare situations in the past with things like Amazon/Spotify accounts being hacked because I used to use the same password across multiple platforms. Since then I use unique passwords and enable 2 Factor Authentication wherever it's available.

You can also check if your email/password has been leaked here - https://www.avast.com/hackcheck

Deadman

Cheers lads.

Like I said, the password he quoted was only ever used for this site. I remember because it was so explicit.

Think I’m going look at changing a few across the board after this though.

Mellish

 Thanks for the heads up bud  

Kittyfrisk

Switch625 said:

Do you use the same email/password combination on multiple sites? If so then chances are those details have been leaked somewhere and are on a database. Scammers/bored assholes will then either

a) Try to log in to various social media/payment websites using those credentials

b) Contact you to try and extort some money

I've had some nightmare situations in the past with things like Amazon/Spotify accounts being hacked because I used to use the same password across multiple platforms. Since then I use unique passwords and enable 2 Factor Authentication wherever it's available.

You can also check if your email/password has been leaked here - https://www.avast.com/hackcheck

Sorry @Switch625   but I strongly recommend NOT using that Avast link. 
Out of curiosity I just tried an email address that I know has been associated with a data breach some time ago.
Avast declared it 'Clear" then immediately emailed me informing me 'Welcome to Avast Hack Check! Your leak alerts are now on, and we’ll warn you right away if your password leaks."   I then had to unsubscribe from something that I did not subscribe to...
Bollocks to that   

I suggest that if you have any concerns over such leaks or breaches that you try https://haveibeenpwned.com
This is accurate, impartial & not tied to an individual company like Avast.

Switch625

Fair enough. I've used it and have been told of data breaches, and even was sent emails when my details turned up on new lists. None of these things are 100% accurate though.

Kittyfrisk

Sorry, really didn't mean that to sound arsey, we're all trying to help others & that's a great thing.