HIJACKED EMAIL

<div class="postbody"><span style="color: #0080ff;">Peter Mercer just sent me an email asking if something he received from me with the subject line "Dear Friend", was really sent from me. In looking at his forwarded message, I noticed that virtually everone in my email address book for that account, was apparently sent the same message. In fact, I received one at one of my secondary email addresses (which is listed in my primary email account's address book), as well!<br /><br />I have just sent everyone who apparently received the bogus email the following message, and I am posting my note here as a heads up. I'm not quite sure what to do, short of starting over with a new email address, provider, etc. Any suggestion anyone here might have would be greatly appreciuated. I have never had this happen in the six years or so I've used my main email address.<br /><br />Anyway, here is what I have sent out in response (some of you folks, like FM, and others I have email contact with should have received this email from me):</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #ffff00;">All, or most of you, probably received a strange email with a "Dear Friend" subject line. I received one, also, sent to one of seconday yahoo addresses, supposedly sent from my main yahoo address (this one). Those of you who know me, know I would not use such a vague subject line, or send the kind of ad that comprised the message.<br /><br />Clearly, someone has managed to hack my email address. I've used this address for more than six years, but clearly will have to change it, I guess. I'm not an expert on this kind of thing, but any suggestions from anyone here who might be more knowledgeable would be great. If there's something I can do instead of closing or changing email accounts/address, please let me know.<br /><br />Meanwhile, if you receive anythging remotely suspicious, let me know. I do not operate any such business, and would not be approaching you to buy or invest and so on.<br /><br />It amazes me how people can expend so much time and energy to crap like this, instead of something meaningful.<br /><br />Paul</span></div>