What Can I Do When My Email Is Sending Spam to Myself?

Spam is evolving. You are probably used to your inbox being clogged by spam emails—from thousands of emails sent by legitimate companies like Pinterest, to the shady ones that somehow didn't get caught by your spam filter.

What spammers are using more often is a method called email spoofing. This means that they can make the message look like it's coming from anyone: your bank, a friend, relative, or even yourself. They do this because they want you to either disclose your personal info or get you to pay for something you don't want.

Why Am I Getting Spam Emails From Myself?

There are numerous Reddit threads in which users describe their accounts being hacked. This user, for example, got an email from his email address. The sender claimed they hacked the user's account, gaining access to their webcam, contacts, and correspondence.

They threatened to share sensitive content to their victim's email contacts if they don't get paid.

Emails like these look personalized, but they are often not. Another Reddit user got an email with the same content, also sent from his own email address.

If you get emails like this, you might be inclined to believe your account is indeed hacked. But, there is another option—you might be a victim of a mass email scam.

Mass scam emails are sent to a bunch of random email addresses, spoofing the recipient's email address to trick them into thinking their accounts have been hacked.

Spammers use software to send emails with a fake From address because:

• They hope that your email service won't filter these emails as spam, since they are coming from you
• They hope you will take their threats seriously since it looks like your account was hacked

Use DoNotPay to Stop Junk Mail From Your Own Email Address

Whether you want to stop receiving unwanted emails from your email address or to stop spam emails altogether, DoNotPay can help.

DoNotPay is the first virtual lawyer in the world, and its new feature—the Spam Collector—will block anyone from sending you spam emails, even if those emails appear to be coming from your email address.

Here is how to get your revenge on spam emails with our app:

1. Open DoNotPay in your web browser
2. Click on the Spam Collector option
3. Enter your email address to connect it with DoNotPay
4. Forward the next email you receive to spam@donotpay.com

Once you complete all the steps, you won't get any more emails from that sender anymore. DoNotPay will also notify you if there is a class action against the sender. Look for the flag in the Spam Collector tab on your DoNotPay dashboard, and if there is an active class action, you can add yourself to it.

Alternative Methods to Stop Getting Spam Emails From Yourself

There are several additional methods you can use to make sure your inbox is safe from scammers. Depending on whether you need to block spam emails on your Android phone, iOS device, or a PC, some methods might be more efficient than others.

Here are the things you can do:

1. Make sure your account isn't hacked
2. Block a spam address permanently
3. Report emails as spam
4. Learn how to stop phishing emails

I'm Getting Spam From My Own Email—Is My Account Hacked?

If you receive a spam email with your email address in the From field, the sender will often claim that your account has been hacked.

It's a scary situation, especially when the sender says they have access to your camera, microphone and can control your computer remotely.

While it is likely this is a mass email meant to trick you into transferring your money to the scammer, there is a possibility that your account is indeed hacked.

There Is an Additional Email Address in the Spam Email From Myself!

Sometimes, even if the email appears to be from your address, there will be another address next to it. This often happens because of the limitations to the software that spammers use, which makes the sender’s address appear in the From field as well. You can use this and block that specific email on Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or any other email service. This option is usually available regardless of the device you use, so you should be able to block an email address on your iPhone or Android device, as well as your PC.

Here is how to do it:

1. Log in to your account
2. Locate and open the email from the sender you want to block
3. Find the menu with additional options from that email
4. Click Block
5. Confirm action if necessary

Legitimate companies and services will allow you to unsubscribe from their emails. There should be an Unsubscribe or Change Preferences link at the bottom of the email.

Are Spam Emails From Myself Still Spam and Should I Report Them?

If you receive spam emails from your email address, it's still spam, and you should send it to the spam folder. This will help your email service recognize emails of similar content as spam in the future.

You can do this by selecting the email and opening the menu with additional options. There should be an option to mark emails as spam, report spam emails, or flag them as spam.

Report Phishing

If the email includes inquiries about your address, date of birth, Social Security number, or anything similar, you should report the email for phishing. Email services usually filter out these messages automatically, but if not, you can do it by yourself.

You can report email for phishing by accessing additional options for that email and clicking Report Phishing. Most service providers allow you to report email abuse as well.

Get Rid of Physical Spam With DoNotPay!

DoNotPay can help you clear your mailbox of physical spam mail within minutes.

Here is how:

1. Snap a photo of a spam letter
2. Open DoNotPay in your web browser
3. Find the DoNotMail option
4. Follow the steps

DoNotPay will unsubscribe you from that sender. In case there is a class action against the sender, you will get a chance to add yourself to it.

Use DoNotPay to Take on Different Tasks!

DoNotPay can block spam not only from yourself but from any company or service. If Amazon is sending you spam emails or you are not sure how to stop emails from eBay, our app will help.

Access DoNotPay from your web browser and check out some tasks DoNotPay can assist you with:

• Fighting speeding tickets
• Getting revenge on robocalls
• Suing anyone in small claims court
• Contesting parking tickets
• Protecting yourself from stalking and harassment
• Getting refunds from various companies
• Getting rid of spam
• Handling credit card issues
• Dropping subscriptions or memberships
• Disputing traffic tickets
• Getting a DMV appointment anywhere
• Getting refunds from airlines
• Skipping the phone queue with customer service reps
• Managing to pay challenging bills