mailer-daemon@googlemail Spam | Why is it a Scam?

If you’re seeing a lot of emails from mailer-daemon@googlemail.com in your spam folder or inbox, you are not alone. This is a very common type of email scam, and it’s important to understand what’s happening.

What is a “Mailer-Daemon”?

A “mailer-daemon” is a legitimate, automated program that manages email delivery. If you send an email to an address that doesn’t exist or is misspelled, the mailer-daemon will send a “delivery failure” message back to you, the sender. This is a normal and useful function of email.

Why is it a Scam?

Scammers have found a way to “spoof” this legitimate service. They forge the sender’s address in a mass email campaign to make it look like it’s coming from your own email address. They then send these emails to thousands of fake or invalid addresses. When these emails bounce back, the mailer-daemon sends the “delivery failure” message to the forged sender—which is your email address.

This is a clever trick because:

• It bypasses spam filters:

  • Since the email appears to be a legitimate delivery notification from Google, it can sometimes get past spam filters and land in your inbox.

• It can be alarming:

  • Seeing an email with a “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” subject line can make you think there’s a problem with your account, which might prompt you to click on a malicious link.

• It can contain malware:

  • The body of the email often includes an image, link, or attachment that, if clicked or downloaded, could install malware on your device or lead you to a phishing page.

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What to Do if You Receive This Spam

1. Do Not Click on Anything:

   • The most important rule is to not click any links, images, or attachments in the email.

2. Delete and Report:

   • Immediately delete the email. You can also report it as spam in your email client. This helps train the spam filter to recognize and block similar messages in the future.

3. Check for Account Security:

   • While the scam itself doesn’t mean your account has been compromised, it’s a good time to double-check your security. Make sure you have a strong password and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled on your Google account.

4. Ignore It:

   • The vast majority of the time, the emails are a result of “backscatter spam,” where a spammer used your address as the fake sender. Your account is likely safe, and you just need to delete the messages as they come in.