Has DOS Visa Bulletin Mailing List Been Hacked?

We subscribe to the State Department’s Visa Bulletin mailing list, which sends out periodic emails about the release of new visa bulletins. Today, however, we received a very weird email. The subject is “VISA-BULLETIN: confirmation required (1E149A0C),‏” and asks for confirmation by either replying to the email or clicking on a link. However, in the message there is a cheap, scam-like advertisement:

“Add Bache1or’s, Master’s or Doctorate Degrees to your resume in just a few weeks and open avenues to promotion and better jobs!”

It went on to say something like:

Regardless of your age, sex, marital status, or location, you can receive a degree in your desired field. All you need is sufficient work, military, or life experience and you are already on your way to an instant degree in your relevant field.

Earn a recognized University Degree based on work or life experience within weeks!
Get your desired degree on the basis of your Prior Knowledge and Professional Experience.

I don’t believe the Department of State would ever allow such an obvious scam to be distributed to their email subscribers. So now the question is, has their system been hacked?

I highly recommend that you don’t click on the link or reply to the email if you received a similar one. Let’s wait to hear from the Visa Office before proceeding.