Kudos!!
Normally I don’t take the time to post spam like those listed below because they’re pretty boring. However, since I’ve been getting so many of these lately and the idiots sending them out are obviously seeking some attention, I figured I’d give them some.
The links in these messages usually lead to a website that aims to convince people that they’ve won something. For example, one of them had a headline that said something like “You are the <insert my state of residence here> winner, hoping to give me the impression that I’m the only one in this entire state that has “won.”
The reality of it is that I have won nothing and the same thing goes for everyone else who has received this crap.
The goal of these spammers is to get you to enter some information like your e-mail address, zip code, address, etc. When people enter that information on the webpage, or complete the “offer” that’s often hidden behind these messages the sender of that spam gets paid. That’s because the company that’s behind whatever the webpage is promoting is willing to pay for that information or pay to get someone to complete an “offer.” It’s often considered a “lead” for the company – someone they can potentially sell something to. They pay the spammer for attracting people to the website and reward the spammer when someone follows through by entering in whatever information the website is fishing for. But, there’s a problem.
Without getting too deeply into the mechanics of how these businesses work, it’s strictly prohibited for participants in these programs – in this case the spammers – to send unsolicited e-mail, in other words, spam. The senders of the spam are in violation of the rules that govern how these types of offers are promoted. It’s not the fault of the companies behind these website who are seeking leads for their business, it’s these a-hole spammers that are violating the rules so they can make a quick buck.
The ethics of the companies that create these offers is, I suppose, a matter of personal judgment, but they do have the scent of deception since their claim that you have won something is completely bogus. What they are really doing is trying to bait you into some kind of “offer” which can involve things like applying for a credit card or buying something. You’ll see all the legal info that discloses the details of these “offers” at the bottom of the website page in tiny print that is probably printed using a color that closely matches the background of the page to make it as invisible as possible without crossing the line that will get the FTC after them.
My advice is to simply delete these spam messages (as most people probably do) and not put money in the pockets of these spammers who are breaking the rules by sending spam and annoying thousands – if not millions – of people with their crap.
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From: Rubia Knell <rubiafqz5075@aol.com> Kudos!!! You gained 1 free ipad’s. Claim Now |
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From: margaretheaur0091@aol.com Kudos!!! You Won 1 discounted iphones. Get Now |
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From: Cale Halpern <calesvy9660@aol.com> Kudos!! You’ve received 1 free giftcards. Receive Now |
Posted: 4 February, 2012 in Generic Spam.
Tags: Cale Halpern, calesvy9660@aol.com, margaretheaur0091@aol.com, Rubia Knell, rubiafqz5075@aol.com
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