How should I respond to stranger's request to chat online?

N

newbie

Member
I am not into instant messaging, so I was surprised to find this message when I opened my yahoo email "in" box: "(First and last name) (screen name) has requested to add you to their online list." I don't recognize the person's supposed actual name or screen name or know how this person got my email address.

I've received scam emails in the past so I'm wondering if people are now pulling scams using IM. Are there people who just surf and find strangers' yahoo email addresses and attempt to add them to their online chat contacts just because they like to have friendly chats with people around the country or the world? Have you ever accepted such requests from strangers? What happened as a result? Is there any way I can prevent such requests in the future? Thanks.
 
O

Oogoo

New member
You can block their e-mail address which is what you want to do with this persons e-mail address.

http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/classic/abuse/abuse-09.html#block
 
M

michael

Active member
I'd just avoid it. I recently deleted an e-mail that was in my spam box, but appeared like a normal address. But of course it looked normal - that is why it could have been effective. If someone you know needs to contact you, they'll try again a different way. Not worth the risk in my opinion.
 
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