New iPhone 14PRO- inundated with spam from Verizon email account

I have seen these reports on this site before. Mine is a bit different. I purchased and activated a new iPhone 14 Pro last night. This morning, I wake up to HUNDREDS of spam emails. It cannot be a coincidence. Prior, I received a lot of spam (had my email for 20 years) but NOTHING like this. I realize iOS does not have spam filter but why would this change? I suppose it could be a coincidence but you know what they say about that.... on the other hand, when I go to the server directly for email (through URL, not an app), I received the same spam. I am a bit suspicious that somehow, through the activation, via Apple or Verizon (more likely Verizon) that triggered them all. I will investigate further but this is very very odd... anyone else seen this with Verizon (now AOL) email? @verizon.net domain