I use an email alias system to create a unique email address every time I sign up for a site.
Today, I started receiving unusual email on one of those addresses. My credit card provider also let me know that someone was trying to use my credit card to book airfare. I know exactly which site my data leaked from since I used a unique email alias to register for that site. I contacted that site and told them they’ve been breached.
I also called my credit card company. They’re reversing the charge and issuing me a new card.
I’m still worried because I’m receiving lots of “here’s your login code” and “new user registration” emails at the alias address. I can just kill the alias and I won’t receive these messages again, but I’m interested in seeing what they’re up to. Can these messages still be used for nefarious purposes? I obviously don’t click links in any emails I don’t recognize, and access to my main email account is secured behind three-factor authentication, so I don’t see how someone would actually be able to retrieve one of these login codes.
Since the genius who used my credit card number tried to book a flight, I also have her name and a 50-50 shot at her location. Should I report her to local authorities?
I’m in the US.
Chances are that you don’t actually have their name; that’s likely the name of another victim. Your credit card was never the hacker’s goal; that other person’s ID is.
Stolen credit cards are effectively worthless on their own. Your card is just a disposable tool for them to validate the ID with, and to see if it passes basic security checks like buying an airline ticket. If they are able to get through the purchase without being flagged, they know they’ve got a high-value ID to work with. They already know that the credit card is burned the instant they make a purchase with it, so they’re likely not poking around further into your financials.
That said, any personal details of yours that they managed to capture in this breach, may also be used to try to steal your ID down the road, so start locking down any details that were ever given to that breached site.
Interesting info, thanks.
Any idea why I’m getting 2FA messages at the alias address? Are they trying to use the alias to log in to other sites?
I’m also receiving emails from Miro on the alias. I’m not sure what if any valuable information they could get from that site.