12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

"Spammer's" Privacy Policy

by Mark Singletary
10 replies
I recently signed up for a free offer of some kind or another (must have been appealiing at the time).

I received the offer with no problems. Along with the offer I started receiving tons of emails from this same source. No problem - I signed up, right?

I always use a tagged email address so I can track how it is being used and by who.

I got tired of all the offers so I unsubscribed only to discover that I was still getting stuff to the original address through other email providers. So the original person took my email address and added it to a bunch of other lists at other email providers and/or shared my email address with others.

That's wrong, right? That's a spammer, right? Tonight on a whim, while still trying to figure out how to escape this I decided to go to the original site (easy since I used the tagged address) and check out the privacy policy.

It says in part (bold is mine): "3. How and When the Information is Used. The information we collect is used for administering our business activities as follows:
(a) to improve the content of our site;
(b) to customize the content and/or layout of site pages for each individual visitor;
(c) used to notify consumers about updates to our Web site;
(d) shared with other reputable organizations to help them contact consumers for marketing purposes;
(e) used by us to contact consumers for marketing purposes."

So, in other words, they have the "right" according to the policy I "agreed to" by signing up for the free offer to share my email address with others for marketing purposes. Can't complain for something I signed up for.

Point is be careful when giving out your email address and be careful about crying spam if you agreed for your address to be shared. Read the policy - of course many sites don't have them or they are just templates borrowed from somewhere - but still read them.

Now back to trying to get out of the loop (or setting it all up to go in the junk folder).

Mark


#policy #privacy #spammer
  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    Those sneaky, evil, smart *******s. Always read the fine print people!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6054574].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hentie
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post


    Now back to trying to get out of the loop (or setting it all up to go in the junk folder).

    Mark
    Yes that is a *******. I hope you find a way to beat this preferably one that blow their computer up! If you find a good solution please share
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6055096].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Eduard Stinga
    You got to love disclaimers and privacy policies, they let you do anything you want

    I always wanted to set up some system, I'm not sure exactly how it's called or how it works, I know I just saw a video once - basically there's one main "panel" where you get all the e-mails but you can create one separate address for each person you give your e-mail to and they would all end up in @something.com - this way you could track and block all the spammers that share your address.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6055397].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dv8domainsDotCom
      Originally Posted by Eduard Stinga View Post

      You got to love disclaimers and privacy policies, they let you do anything you want

      I always wanted to set up some system, I'm not sure exactly how it's called or how it works, I know I just saw a video once - basically there's one main "panel" where you get all the e-mails but you can create one separate address for each person you give your e-mail to and they would all end up in @something.com - this way you could track and block all the spammers that share your address.
      Hi Eduard; (and sorry for slightly off-topic post)
      This is usually called a "catch-all" email account, and really can only be done on a domain you own. Basically, "per-domain" you can have a single email address (I frequently use marketing@suchdomain.com) and set this to be your catch-all ; when you signup at some website, you can sign up your email as abc123-com@suchdomain.com (the first part, abc123-com is the URL I signed up at; easy reference). And ALL of those emails go to 'marketing@suchdomain.com :

      Sort of more, "on topic", the beauty is, they still have a "to" address of abc123-com@suchdomain.com and I can do all sorts of things (message filters, bulk mail filters/etc). Easy sorting (and easy spam management). This capability depends on your email provider. So, even when I have a particular address end up on a "junker" list, I just filter out that address in my inbox.
      Signature
      Support a Warrior, Save Money!
      Rock Bottom Prices on Domains and Website Hosting
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6057118].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author EvcRo
    You will be surprised how many people check "I Agree" check boxes without reading, you are not alone at all
    Signature
    Looking for business partners or clients ? try https://businessconnect.directory/ , a business directory actively adding moderated content. Submit your business / website / service today !
    SEO Marketplace - SEO & Internet Marketing Products and Services for 10+ Years
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6055419].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    I give them credit for being honest and telling you what they're going to do with your email address -- some marketers don't. On the flip side, some buyers assume that if the seller has a "privacy policy," then it means that an address won't be shared. So yes, always read the TOS and privacy policies.

    Becky
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6055442].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Theeban
    Usually, many people do not read the agreement online, most of just click "I agree" - but it seems we should read it otherwise we may be in trouble... thanks for head up...
    Signature
    For TOP Ranks in Search Engines - Hire skilled expert in SEO. Check expanded services to Cheltenham
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6056607].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Wendy Maki
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    I recently signed up for a free offer of some kind or another (must have been appealiing at the time).

    I received the offer with no problems. Along with the offer I started receiving tons of emails from this same source. No problem - I signed up, right?

    I always use a tagged email address so I can track how it is being used and by who.

    I got tired of all the offers so I unsubscribed only to discover that I was still getting stuff to the original address through other email providers. So the original person took my email address and added it to a bunch of other lists at other email providers and/or shared my email address with others.

    That's wrong, right? That's a spammer, right? Tonight on a whim, while still trying to figure out how to escape this I decided to go to the original site (easy since I used the tagged address) and check out the privacy policy.

    It says in part (bold is mine): "3. How and When the Information is Used. The information we collect is used for administering our business activities as follows:
    (a) to improve the content of our site;
    (b) to customize the content and/or layout of site pages for each individual visitor;
    (c) used to notify consumers about updates to our Web site;
    (d) shared with other reputable organizations to help them contact consumers for marketing purposes;
    (e) used by us to contact consumers for marketing purposes."

    So, in other words, they have the "right" according to the policy I "agreed to" by signing up for the free offer to share my email address with others for marketing purposes. Can't complain for something I signed up for.

    Point is be careful when giving out your email address and be careful about crying spam if you agreed for your address to be shared. Read the policy - of course many sites don't have them or they are just templates borrowed from somewhere - but still read them.

    Now back to trying to get out of the loop (or setting it all up to go in the junk folder).

    Mark
    Like you, I also use a separate email address for every signup I can. I admit I sometimes forget and reuse one, but it still helps.

    I have a specific domain name that I use only for subscription and signup emails. I have the email that's included with the domain ($12 bucks or so a year folks!) set up as a catch-all email. All I have to do is use a separate xxxx00000 @ thedomain . xxx for every signup.

    It really helps when the FROM name starts changing, even just for "sorting" purposes, but I really did it to make sure I could separate out the signups that just turn into spam-fests.

    I must admit I've never seen THAT privacy policy before. Pays to read it.
    Signature

    -- Find blues festivals around the world at the bluesmusicfestivals.com directory and jazz festivals at jazzmusicfests.com.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6056743].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
      A privacy policy is just a disclosure of how information is used. It does not mean anything is kept privacy. There is a major service many Warrior use that I have not for this very reason - having a spammers privacy policy.

      That will no longer matter for the WSO forum. Due to some abuses there is now a new rule that WSO sellers are not allowed to transfer the email addresses of WSO buyers.

      I recently caught someone selling one of my one-time "tagged" email addresses. Even worse, they were recycling opt-out requests so if I opted-out of one list I was put on another list.

      Not the first time I have caught someone.

      If you find a WSO seller abusing your email please report them to a moderator. They can now be banned from the forum for doing this.

      .
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6056951].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Robbie B
    I didn't think even think people would be allowed to do that with your email address, even if they are disclosing it. There has to be steps to protect your privacy. That said though, offline businesses have been doing the same for years, with telemarketing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6057220].message }}

Trending Topics