Question: How is it I keep getting emails in my spam folder dated 2038 instead of 2013? (Feb 6, 2038)? Thanks, Mary.
Answer: I wouldn’t put it past them to send junk mail back through time, but it’s a trick spammers use to keep their offers of Nigerian lottery money and free gift cards in view. An e-mail dated 2038 will stay at the top of your inbox if you sort by date. Also, many “junk” or “spam” folders will automatically empty after a set period, say two weeks.
A message dated February 6, 2013 might be deleted on February 20, 2013. A message dated February 6, 2038 will hang around until February 20, 2038 or until you empty your spam folder.
– Cynthia
Another possibility. Older programs and files (prior to Y2K) that retained dates in 6-digits instead of 8. “Fix” programs to convert those dates handled scenarios by inserting 20 in front of the 2-digit year if it was higher or lower than 38. We had a lot of 2038 years after running those conversion programs.
A new scam just arrived in my inbox yesterday. It was from Dr. someone or other of law firm…..and it was to let me know that a relative of mine, Robert Sylvester-Gray had died without leaving a will and that apparently I was the only one who was related enough to inherit. Oh boy, they must think I came down in the last shower! I shredded it post haste. This originated in India.
Regards, Elizabeth