Can some use a fake return email address? I need some help.

[mail1227418]

Hello,

I have a simple question. Is it possible for someone to use MY email
address as the return address when sending an email?

Either my hotmail account has been hacked (which I doubt) or someone
is really messing with me. I changed my password earlier today.
This whole thing started when I began to get angry replies to emails
that I never sent. For instance:

"Please do not abuse our email response system by sending ignorant and
inappropriate comments. First of all, this system is in place for
students who genuinely need advice for their issues. Secondly, your
comments show complete disregard for what we stand for as an
organization that promotes international humanitarian aid.

Your prank emails are not appreciated. If you continue to abuse this
system, we will report your IP address to the appropriate authorities.

- Absolute Leadership Development"




Category: Absolute
---
JERK ME OFF IM SO HORNeY FOR POOR AFRICAN KIDS "


^The above email was not written by me, and I am very offended that
someone is using my email address to ruin my good name.

Any advice on a situation like this? I was going to send an email to
them saying that I did not send it, but I haven't yet. I'm hoping
someone on usenet might have a few good ideas for me to prevent this
crap.

 

[Jon Kennedy]

The quick answer is yes. Anyone can put your return address in the "reply
to" headers of an email. Spammers do it all the time.

 

[N. Miller]

I have a simple question. Is it possible for someone to use MY email
address as the return address when sending an email?

Yes. And anybody complaining to you based on the email address in those
messages is a moron. There are ways to trace the email source to a relay
client which submitted the email into the SMTP system; but that requires
reading headers and tracking IP addresses stamped by SMTP servers.

--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.