posted on August 28, 2007 11:55:12 AM new
I got it too - didn't click on it and deleted it right away. SPAM of PHISH or whatever - it isn't from the IRS
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posted on August 31, 2007 05:16:44 PM new
Just deleted one that was in my bulk folder. My server supplies a spam guard and puts these in my bulk folder. Did click on it to see how much they would say I would get back. All of $105.70. Wonder where they got my e-mail address from or any of the others. Does anyone know?
buyhigh
posted on August 31, 2007 05:39:15 PM new
You mean you wonder how the spammers got your email? There are lots of different ways, ranging from employees of big ISPs (like AOL) selling lists to marketers, to dictionary attacks on ISP servers, to culling email addresses from warranty forms you fill out.
Most "privacy policies" are bunk. Any time a company can sell your information with virtually no chance of being penalized for it, they will.
posted on August 31, 2007 05:50:03 PM new
Wonder how many stupid people think the IRS contacts people by e-mail? And how many even stupider people who think the IRS will contact them to let them know that they are due a refund?
Since I have not filled out a warrenty in over 3 years and my bank does not have it, I hope my server has not sold my e-mail address because I would be very angry considering what I pay them each month on a contract basis.
buyhigh
posted on August 31, 2007 06:55:30 PM new
I've explained this before, and I suspect people doze off in the middle, but here is one way that spammers harvest addresses.
A spammer sets up a program that extracts words from a dictionary file, literally hundreds of thousands of words, and pairs each word with myisp.com. Then he sends mail to each of those made-up addresses.
Of course most of them don't exist. But some do, and if you're one of those, congratulations. You've been spammed.
It costs a spammer very little to send millions of email. I suspect most people don't get this, so they don't understand the enormity of it.
To avoid this, don't use real words or names. An address such as [email protected] is gonna get slammed. An address like [email protected] won't be. (Note the zero for "o" substitution.)
Tired of Nigerian scams and bogus emails. Start reporting them. You most likely will not get a direct response fron the DOJ but if they collect enough hits from a certain server, they will shut it down.
And more on the subject Fluffy is addressing, I've noticed more and more of these spam dictionaries showing up on google searches. The creeps are building free on-line databases of suckers who reply to spam. DON'T BE A SUCKER!
