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Author Topic: HARD to believe, but true --- a five-year-old Spam scam! Back to Topics
docputer

Champion Author
San Antonio

Posts:50,077
Points:3,592,115
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Oct 27, 2013 8:29:56 PM


Check it out:
SUNU
REPLIES (newest first) Topic is locked
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kwzh
Champion Author San Jose

Posts:22,961
Points:4,177,680
Joined:Jul 2001
Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 11:29:20 PM

scoutmaster writes,
> Technically, this is not spam. It is a link to a web site.

I was referring not to the profile link, but to SUNU's one and only forum message, which is no longer visible (hence speculation only).
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docputer
Champion Author San Antonio

Posts:50,077
Points:3,592,115
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 5:43:16 PM


G_B, you may ask several GB members who've bought my books --- most of whom frequent "MY" thread --- about autographing. Also, anybody who's interested in autographed books may contact me via the email address on my website, and we can make arrangements.

Oh, well....now this is really getting weird....I start out griping about spam, and here I am: "Spam I am!"

LOL LOL LOL, etc.

Thank you, Sir Don...that should end this.

Neat stuff, Scoutmaster....and that settles it --- I'm having "Brown Eggs and Spam" for supper tonight. Just got back from surgery to whack out a ganglion cyst, and I'd had to go in fasting. NOT fun!

Thanks for making this mess end pleasantly, folks. My apologies for my "old man crotchetiness." (At least I try to blame in on being pre-octogenarianistic.....yep, new word...all mine!)
.
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Gas_Buddy
Champion Author Maryland

Posts:29,431
Points:3,536,095
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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 1:44:02 PM

docputer:

If, in the course of discussion, you said (whether overtly or on subtly) that "I wrote several books...you can find them on the internet and they're available for purchase on Amazon's website", and you provided a link, I wouldn't have a hard time with it, nor would I consider it spam. It might be advertising, but it's not in the same vein as some threads which read, "My company sells..." or the threads which don't use the words "my company" but are pushing a fuel/energy related product.

Noting that you're an author, that you wrote books that are available for purchase, isn't spam unless there were threads started for the sole purpose of "Buy This Book" in one or more categories or if you posted it on multiple/numerous whiteboards.

For that matter, I would (if I were you) I would include the link in the "About Me" portion of the profile page as it gives other members an greater insight into you." That would simply be a link to what amounts to biographic information, not spam (by any definition). And, even if it were considered "advertising", there's a significant difference between having information about yourself (a long time and very active Gas Buddy member) and that of a member who has 600 points, almost all from message posting the same advertisement or link. In my opinion.

Now the question is, does the author autograph copies generically or does the author personalize the autograph for Gas Buddy friends-of-the-author?
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scoutmaster
Champion Author Pittsburgh

Posts:95,411
Points:3,752,765
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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 11:54:59 AM

Well, docputer, I don't know it that's OK with TPTB but it isn't spam.

This is spam!
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Don
Moderator
Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 11:51:05 AM

Technically them leaving a link in "Gas Saving Tips" to a fuel additive (though a tip I wouldn't recommend) isn't spam. If they decided to join up and spread that link through large volumes of forum topics, that would be considered spam. At best is a very light form of unsolicited advertising, which is something we don't necessarily approve of.

That account was last active a long while ago, the link remaining visible on an inactive profile doesn't really constitute a "scam".

Regardless I've removed the link from their profile.

Old and inactive accounts are already handled in a manner that closes the account from being accessed, but allows members to have their usernames re-activated if they choose to start using the website again.

-Don
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docputer
Champion Author San Antonio

Posts:50,077
Points:3,592,115
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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 10:43:03 AM


I am so glad to hear that a link to a website is NOT spam!

Then this is just fine, too, right?
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scoutmaster
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 7:57:15 AM

"That could be because SUNU's post was spam"

Technically, this is not spam. It is a link to a web site.
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kwzh
Champion Author San Jose

Posts:22,961
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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 7:31:33 AM

In a profile field for gas-saving tips, someone links to a product that's supposed to save gas. That in itself seems OK to me, though I can understand why others might feel differently.

The member in question has made exactly one message post, and the topic no longer exists. That could be because SUNU's post was spam, but in that case I would have expected the account to have been immediately deleted. So maybe it was borderline, or just maybe it was an innocent follow-up message to someone else's thread that got deleted. I don't have the resources to find out.

In any case, I don't see any need for hostility in discussing the situation.
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TxJeans
Champion Author Tampa

Posts:6,998
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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 7:18:36 AM

"Considering this member is a 1/120 member, that could explain why this went undetected. "

Yep. I see this sometimes on other b-board profiles. Unless someone happens to 1) notice it, and 2) report it, it tends to remain.

Considering the limitations we see on this site, I doubt they have a sophisticated filter to scan all profiles looking for links that might be inappropriate.

I think using the contact us is probably the best way to handle these types of issues. The OP could have more specifically stated his concern about solicitation rather than spam scam and a bare link. I didn't know if he was talking strictly about the link in the profile or if the person was permanently logged in and not posting prices or other point and daily activity but spamming white boards.
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scoutmaster
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 6:53:32 AM

It's not spam. It's solicitation for another unrelated and unendorsed by TPTB web site and should not be allowed. Considering this member is a 1/120 member, that could explain why this went undetected.
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RogerB
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 6:35:04 AM

IT AIN'T SPAM

"Spamming is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages (spam), especially advertising, indiscriminately."
- Wikipedia: Spam (electronic)

I agree, however, it doesn't belong on this site, either. That member needs to be removed. PM the mods.



[Edited by: RogerB at 10/29/2013 6:39:07 AM EST]
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bytebug
Champion Author Orange County

Posts:28,912
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Message Posted: Oct 29, 2013 5:14:01 AM

>> it constitutes spam.

Someone needs to figure out the definition of spam. Having been part of the effort to get rid of spam in the early days, believe me when I say that this ain't it.
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docputer
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 11:19:08 PM


Done, Scoutmaster...and thanks. I certainly will never do it this way again.

Sorry, EZExit, but I've wasted all the time I'm going to waste on fence posts. I am glad to know, however, that you're strung with something classier than rusty Chinese barbed wire.

Y'all have fun now, y'hear? Choose up and see who can outsnot the others, or something.

Me, I'm going in for surgery tomorrow --- they're going to patch up my busted funny bone.

LOL LOL LOL, etc.
.
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EZExit
Champion Author Phoenix

Posts:15,490
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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 10:09:08 PM

bytebug: <<<"I'm having a hard time understanding how a reference to an external website on a profile page that most people aren't going out of there way to look at could possibly be considered spam.">>>

--If any webpage has a re-direct to a commercial website for the sole intention of selling something, and they don't pay the webpage owner for the privilege, nor ask for permission, it constitutes spam.

docputer: <<<"Now I'm finished with this. If any of you wish to explain it to anybody that just can't seem to understand, that's fine with me">>>

--Don't be that way, your observation is relevant, is posted in the correct place, and will often get unproductive commentary from the peanut gallery. I saw your point from the link in the OP without even trying. I believe that the ratio of membership to management of this site is somewhat overwhelming, and would expect that it hasn't been handled in 5 years, because nobody had brought it to their attention, until now.
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scoutmaster
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 9:33:26 PM

docputer,

PM the mods. That is the best way to contact them.
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bytebug
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 7:29:10 PM

I'm having a hard time understanding how a reference to an external website on a profile page that most people aren't going out of there way to look at could possibly be considered spam.
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docputer
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 5:51:17 PM


Scoutmaster, I thought "Talk back to us!" WAS the best way to report it to the moderators.

Now I wish I'd never said a word. This seems a lot like what happens when politicians are presented with a problem.

Gas_Buddy, in my estimation --- as a teacher of English for well over 35 years, I might add --- YOU are the only one having a problem with this, and I just don't have any smaller words with which to explain it...sorry. I will say that you really should get some help with spelling and grammar. That could be a help.

Now I'm finished with this. If any of you wish to explain it to anybody that just can't seem to understand, that's fine with me.

Have fun.
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scoutmaster
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 5:03:27 PM

Has anyone notified the moderators about this?
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Gas_Buddy
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 4:51:08 PM



docputer:.

I wasn't attacking anyone. All I did was ask if you could explain what the spam scam was? I would think that most people wouldn't open a thread that started with: "This is spam...check it out." I don't see where I or anyone else thought you were picking on someone "innocent" (innocent of what, I have no idea).

And, it's been brought up before about getting rid of the 120 and done'ers, which is why I asked the question. If you thought that the 120 and done posters should be removed, banned, or whatever, I don't necessarily have a problem with that, but based on how the original post reads, it's pretty hard to figure out what the issue, what you want done, what the issue is. If all it is (and I'm not advocating it) is that someone thinks a "dumb" idea is a good one (in their opinion), be it a magic pill that doubles your gas mileage, the "secret carburator" or running your car on water, well, that's not much removed from those that believe "If we all don't buy gas on May 15, the gas stations will have to drop their prices by 50 cents a gallon, just like they did in 1997."

Sorry, but it was your original post that didn't explain very much, not me or anyone else attacking anyone or sticking up for "the innocent". It was simply our reading a less than explanatory original post.
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docputer
Champion Author San Antonio

Posts:50,077
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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 3:30:37 PM


Had a time remembering how I chanced upon it, but now I recall that I was trying to check on an old friend, punjabispi, and noticed the pic on her buddy list and just happened to click on it:

Here is her Buddy List

As to "what do you think," I don't think..I know...this is spam. If you wish to throw out the word "scam," suit yourself. The fact remains there was ONE post by this "person," "her" occupation is listed as "ffv...whatever," and the link to "ffv..whatever" is given. That's it..that's all...if that's not spam, there IS no spam!

SO if GB thinks this is just fine and hunky-dory, suits me....and if I "attacked" this innocent member personally(which is what "Gas_Buddy" seems to imply), that was not my intention. Fact is, Sir or Madam, it seems to me that YOU have done the "attacking."
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CampKohler
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 12:41:38 PM

It's another multilevel marketing plan. Who knows how accurate Channel 3's test was, but here is a more extensive test that didn't produce such glowing results.
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bytebug
Champion Author Orange County

Posts:28,912
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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 8:20:32 AM

I would guess that the one forum post made was spam, since it no longer shows up.
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scoutmaster
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 5:11:29 AM

How did you find this docputer?
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jrsva
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 12:38:29 AM


I think GasBuddy ought to delete all of the 100-120-point pan flashers after a year of no action. Clean up the riff-raff and recycle the nics. I would go further and delete everyone with <1000 points after two years and maybe a couple more steps after that.
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kwzh
Champion Author San Jose

Posts:22,961
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Message Posted: Oct 28, 2013 12:04:42 AM

I would guess that docputer is referring to the site listed in that member's "gas saving tips" field. However, having a link in a profile is not spam (though that same link might have also been distributed in some other spammy manner).
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Gas_Buddy
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Oct 27, 2013 9:07:33 PM

docputer:

Perhaps you want to explain what the "scam" is? Or are you saying that every "120 point member" is a scam?

If it's the latter, are you going to identify each and every "120 point member"? And if it's the latter, what action do you want the moderators to do?

Topic is locked Back to Topics
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