Wednesday, July 05, 2006

You really think you will get money from Microsoft ?

Honest, there is no harm in it unless anyone actually goes crazy investing in email addresses or then trusts someone enough anonymous enough, who seems to have a trustworthy way with words and sufficient credentials building confidence for a possible later date, when you have established enough trust to relay more details so the prize can be 'safely banked' for you.

Really, trust me, I believe these emails can only be scams - but at this stage seemingly quite legal and seemingly without harm, but that is unfortunately not quite true. It is most usually an email harvesting method for spammer mail list building. They claim that Microsoft can track your reply, so can anyone. Including the Spammer who now can not only add valid email addresses to their list, but also those who have forwarded their email get extra points. From these they compose lists that are then sold to other companies that use them.

I am rather sure Microsoft would not imitate a scam that has been running for years. No matter the point size the writer is passing on hearsay. It is not like it is a message from Microsoft.

Let me know if you start getting a lot of spam about get rich quick schemes, I'd imagine. I do not think that you will necessarily be contacted by a smooth talking Nigerian insisting on bank details over the phone unless you are prepared to fly to some remote Atlantic island and sign for your $248,000.

These are normally used for collecting email addresses for spamming. Excellently written as it is.

The "credibility" building is a concern, could mean a followup seeking financial information. If they want to send you a cheque - fair enough, I will swallow my words. But if they want an account "for a deposit of this size, we save millions in exchange rates" or some such, then DO NOT give them details. Use a PO Box for address if you really have to give them an address. Then you will get trash mail as well.

posted by Unknown @ 4:20 PM