Scam - signed up to 100+ websites - why?!

[9637S]

Today, someone managed to hack into my account on a shop's website where I had my bank card saved. They sent themselves a gift card. Luckily I received an email so was able to cancel it, both with the shop and my bank. I've also cancelled the card just in case.

A minute or two later, over the course of 20 minutes, someone signed me up to 100+ websites. I presume it was done by a bot because I don't think it would be possible for a human to do it that quick. The websites were in various languages.

I assume it was the same person else it seems a massive coincidence. But why? What benefit do they get from signing me up to so many websites? My friend suggested it was to hide the email from the shop which I would understand except that arrived first - surely you'd buy the gift card during signing me up to the websites rather than before?

Anyone else experienced this or have any thoughts? I'm so confused!

I had the same experience. It's called "spam bombing".

The spam emails are used to hide any illicit purchases on your card, the thinking behind it is you will just delete the spam en masse without reading them so any purchase notifications will go unnoticed.
After googling what might be happening I immediately cancelled all cards, notified my banks and building society that my online accounts might have been compromised (luckily they hadn't).

Initially mine was someone hacking into my Amazon account and making a small random purchase, I'm guessing to check the card was active. Strangely the purchase didn't show on my account only in archived orders. Then the hundreds of spam emails started.

I contacted Amazon and they stopped the order as suspicious activity and once I confirmed it was not me ordering they advised their fraud team who liaised with the police.

Amazon advised I change all passwords etc and I had no further incidents on the account.

Check any online accounts for other recent purchases you haven't made especially Amazon in Archived orders.

After the initial 300 or so spam emails, most of which I spent an evening actively unsubscribing from they stopped but I have read stories of people receiving 1000s of emails and having to close/change email accounts.

Its unnerving how easily these scammers can access online information. I hope you are able to resolve this issue before any more illicit activity takes place on your card.