Spam / Fraud

[DFV]

Just a quick word. In a moment of weakness, I registered on another allotment chat site a couple of months ago.

This morning, I received an email from some clown in the Ivory Coast trying to get me to help him transfer USD5,500,000 out of the country (yawn). Usual sort of thing, orphaned at an early age; needs money to invest in a business deal that abolutely, definitely cannot fail - and, course, you get a percentage!!!!!

The point is that he got my email from the allotment website database. Is there any way to stop email addresses being disclosed in this way from the Grapevine.

Regards

[Lesley Jay]

On the Grapevine a members profile, where the email address is, can only be viewed by other members not guests. This is something that I personally got Admin to do many months ago. Prior to that guests could view all our details.

You have an option in your profile not to have your email on view at all - even to members.

Everyones personal details are safe on this site. I can assure you.

[Ben]

Yes, rest assured your details are protected, we are using a commercial forum product that is considered to be an industry leader.

It has very high data protection, so you can be assured that your details are safe. If there are any security flaws found we are notified by the forum company and we apply the patches immediately (this is in rare circumstances).

We have made The Grapevine, a very safe and secure enviroment ...not to mention friendly

So in a nutshell, there is no way your details can be compromised.

[Palustris]

On all the Garden sites I visit there is the option to keep ones Email address hidden. On the site DFV mentions the only time anyone can see your Email address is if you have given permission for it to be displayed in your Profile. Nor can your Profile be viewed by anyone, other than another registered user. So if your address was got from that site, it was by another registered user.

[pigletwillie]

Dfv, I got the same email as well. I have sent him a rather colourfull reply over 600 times last night. Hopefully this will keep him off of my back. The trouble is, there is always some greedy stupid arse who falls for it.

[multiveg]

I haven't had the money scam emails for a while, touch wood. Instead, it appears I need various parts of my anatomy (whether I have the bits or not) enlarged on many of my web-based email accounts. I use these type of accounts to sign up for messageboards and other websites/services. I use my isp email accounts mainly for friends and family.

I don't see a point in replying to the emails - this tells you the email address is a genuine one. Sending multiple replies drags you down towards to the scammer/spammer's level.

[Squirrel]

Sending multiple replies drags you down towards to the scammer/spammer's level.

But it does feel good at the time!

[multiveg]

Just found this on another messageboard - suggested reply to scammer:

"Can I suggest that somebody reply to [whoever] stating that we are a desperate group of allotment holders working on impoverished soil in urgent need 5000 tonnes of manure.

If he can arrange a full shipment of highest quality bulls**t to be delivered to [wherever] we might be able to grow enough vegetables to sell at our local markets in order to raise the funds he needs to release his dead relative's fortune.

Obviously we won't be able to pay for the shipment until the vegetables have grown, and knowing that the hurricane season is about to hit the UK we might not be able to raise the funds for some time."

[Mrs Dobby]

Have to agree that this forum product (the same as another forum I have belonged to for 2 years) is very secure indeed, I have never been spammed by anyone from having joined either forum!

[anthonyjb]

i got the same email
regards
Anthony

[anthonyjb]

How do i remove my email from public view please
regards
Anthony

[Lesley Jay]

Anthony click on User CP then Edit Options. Where it says Receive email from other members there will be a tick next to it. Click on the tick and this will remove your email address.

User CP is on the top left of the screen.

[anthonyjb]

thank you Lesley sorted I hope
regards

Anthony

[beefy]

So far iv'e never got one of these "begging letters". You should never reply to them as it only lets the ar***oles know that you exist as they use a program to generate email adresses . They fire off a couple of hundred thousand (thats right 200000)emails and if you reply they know thats one that they can try to hack into.Pigletwillie be very carefull over the next few weeks/ months as they now know that you exist.Keep all your spyware and antivirus programmes up to date and use a good email filter and run them every few days. Also visit Microsoft and check for any updates for your computer.

[Lesley Jay]

Yes Anthony it is. I have checked your profile.