How Can I Have People I Don't Know

[pastafreak]

...in my email contacts list?
And it's creeping me out because among all the names/addresses for people and businesses...are several from here. Who I've never contacted...or vice versa. I only know because of their user names.

Among the other names are everyone from work...even a few that left years ago....I can just about understand that.
But also contacts for some organisations that my co-workers deal with...but not me.

Also...ebay / amazon sellers- which makes sense, but also local people...I only know because they include a local street name in their email address.
I first noticed this with my yahoo account,now it's the same with my outlook one. Dare I look at gmail?
Is this because we are all connected via the web...so all related individuals or groups are thrown in the pot,so to speak?
I find it unsettling because it obviously means my details are coming up in some other unknown contact lists. And someone is wondering...who the hell is this??
;-) :-(

[Maydup]

Do your contacts have full name and addresses listed for these unknown people? Such as the ABers? Or just an entry with username.

[Peter Pedant]

a much better question is

How Can I Have People I Don't Know ADORE me ?

if amyone knows the aanswer just tack it on below

[Prudie]

I think this happens when either you or one of your genuine contacts has their e-mail hacked. Delete the ones you don't know and change your e-mail password, from memory that was the solution but this is more of a technology section question.

[pixie374]

They've probably just been added into mass emails with you and that adds them to your contact list. I have quite a few I've never contacted or saved too.

[Peter Pedant]

O it is a proper question

when you get a group send email
your email system may be set to archive all the senders
voila
there should be a toggle to say whether you want that done

[pastafreak]

@Maydup...just email addresses
@Prudie...thanks for that.
I put it here because I knew I'd get a quicker response. Things are slow in Technology lately.

[HansUrbancka]

Hi pastafreak......My apologies for only now having stumbled accross your question. I may have come across it sooner, if it had been posted in the Technology section. ☺☺☺

Changing your password should prevent, at this stage, any further Hacking of your e/mail account. However, as it appears that your e/mail address is now well known on the internet. it is a matter for you to decide if you should change it, in order to cut-down on the spam which you are still likely to receive. Spam will Not hurt you, but it is a real nuisance.

Hans.