How did this Coinbase email get into my Yahoo inbox?

nottsphil

I've had nothing to do with crypto currencies so I was surprised this didn't make it into my spam box. But I'm not asking about that, I'm asking why I received it at all because it isn't addressed to any of my email accounts. If this is some sort of scam or data harvesting aimed at me, what would be the point of making it look as though the email was intended for someone else?
Of course, I haven't clicked on anything in this email because that could be quite dangerous.

TadleyBaggie

Get these all the time, just delete them. They probably sent it to your email address but using BCC:, so it will never be displayed.

prowla

I even get these sort of emails from myself!

Emmia

Your email address may have been sold (or hacked) by a company you've engaged with previously. Just mark it as spam, and delete.

flaneurs_lobster

By definition it is addressed to you otherwise you wouldn't have received it, it just doesn't display your address in the TO : field.

Astonishing you haven't had one of these before, I get dozens a week but vast majority routed to spam.

droopsnoot

You'd need to examine the mail headers to see exactly what caused it to arrive in your inbox. On Outlook (or at least on the ancient version I use) double-click on the message to open it (not on the links in the message, just to see the whole thing) then click "File" and then "Properties". You can read down the "Internet headers" and see all the interesting stuff.

Eyeful

1. If you have not asked for it. 
2. You have nothing to do with crypto
3  It asks you to click on an email link

Then it is reasonable to think it is a scam email. I expect clicking on the link will either
1. Try to install some type of malware on to your computer.
2. Transfer you to a website that will attempt to install malware on to your computer.
3. Transfer you to a website that will attempt to extract personal information from you.

Scammers use this method to lead the victim to think they are on an official site:
Example:  Amazon, DVLA or their Bank.

Remember, this is sent to a lot of people, some who will have Coinbase account.& some will almost certainly fall for it.

nottsphil

flaneurs_lobster said:

By definition it is addressed to you otherwise you wouldn't have received it, it just doesn't display your address in the TO : field.

Astonishing you haven't had one of these before, I get dozens a week but vast majority routed to spam.

I'm sure I have but Yahoo is pretty good at spotting spam so they remain there unopened. I only opened this because it was a rare one that got through, and even then only noticed the recipient because of the long address.

nottsphil

IvanOpinion said:

Try checking https://haveibeenpwned.com/ to see if there have been many breaches.
Alternatively use malwares bytes (identity protection-> discover your digital footprint)  to look at what may have been exposed.

Doesn't the BCC explanation cover it? As you are not at risk from merely opening an email, would there be any point in seeing if I have been pwned (even if I knew what that meant 🙂)?

Olinda99

does yahoo email allow you to set up 'rules'?

Eyeful

pwned: 

The term "pwned" is a slang word originating from internet and gaming culture that means to be
 completely defeated or compromised