spam/phishing on mp email

In the last week I started getting a few spam and phishing emails on my unique MP email address.Thought I put it out there. I guess the MP database got hacked?

I am definitely NOT aware of being hacked and think it's extremely unlikely.  There are many ways your unique email can "escape" and get on spam lists.  And once on one list, it's all over - the address will propagate to a gazillion in no time - that's how spam lists work.

You unique address consists of two extremely common words, and would be among the top random generated tests for spam bots, so I'm surprised the address made it much of any time without getting spam.  Another common way addresses "escape" is if you reply to anyone at all with that address (say, a partner request, a for sale item), your address is now at the mercy of that person's system, which of course some will have viruses and grab your address.

Thanks Nick. What you say is probably more likely. I never got any spam on that email until last week and why I thought I share what I saw, just in case others experience the same thing.

When I reply to MP messages I use a different email, so maybe someone just guessed it or something else. Any combination of words/letters and same email domain will go to me and I haven't got any of them, just my MP email.

If you know how to get the complete "raw source" for one or more of the messages, you can PM it to me and I can look any clues. It's unlikely I'd find anything, but sometimes the original headers contain a giveway.

Don't post the raw source here (publicly) or you'll really start seeing spam :)

SinRopa wrote:

Searchable email database to see if your email has been in a data breach: haveibeenpwned.com/

Thanks. It says my email had 2 breached sites: "Anti Public Combo List" and "Collection #1" (both unverified, whatever that means?)

SinRopa wrote:

Searchable email database to see if your email has been in a data breach: haveibeenpwned.com/

If you’re dumb enough to enter your email there...