...in a way that makes more sense.
I got an email early this morning from a provider asking if I would do a favor for her. She didn't say what, but said that she knows it's something I could do. It is a little suspicious to me because that has not been her MO in the past and seems a little out of character. RE; is the only thing in the subject line, but we don't have any recent email threads. I did book with her about 4 weeks ago, but she had to cancel. Other than that, I haven't seen or communicated with her since at least June.
Do you think there is any risk involved if I reply to the email to get some more information? I don't know how common it is for LE to work that way if she had been compromised. It could also be that her account was hacked and spam was sent. Or she could actually just want me to do her a favor. Either way I am curious, but I don't want to get myself in a bind. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to approach this situation?
If you're really uncomfortable, just ignore it. Or, if you're willing to probe further you can email her and tell her that due to the vague message you suspect that her email was hacked. It doesn't sound like you know her well enough to do any favors for her - abort and ignore the second you get any weird feelings!
If you have a phone number, or you can PM her either through TER or P411, and you are curious to find out if it is actually her, reach out to her using one of these alternative means of communication and ask her to clarify.
Or, simply ignore her and most likely you won't hear from her again.
Good thinking! It took me a while to dig up her phone number, but I found it and confirmed that it was just spam.
...in a way that makes more sense.
I forwarded it back to her & informed her, her email had been compromised. She got rid of the spyware on her computer & thanked me. Probably spammed everybody in her address book.
You're totally right to be suspicious because this is a boundary violation in my opinion. Treat this email as if it came from The Prince of Nigeria and ignore.