Unwanted E-Mails From Respected Companies
When I sign up to buy something from a company on-line, I always make sure that the direct marketing links are checked or unchecked, so that I don’t get any marketing e-mails. I don’t know for certain, but I suspect that a good on-line marketing code, that might even be the law, states that you must be able to opt-out of any direct marketing. So I always do.
Obviously for my on-line banking and utility suppliers, I don’t opt out of receiving informational messages like my new bill is ready, but these are not direct marketing.
Recently, I got a promotional e-mail from a respected company that I use, where I knew that I’d set the marketing e-mails settings, so that I don’t get any.
I reported this to the company and they said it shouldn’t happen, especially as the offer was genuine.
On checking I found that the e-mail had not come to the e-mail address, I commonly use, but to an old one that I used to use a couple of years ago. I still monitor this address, as some of my old friends still use it and haven’t updated their e-mail address for me.
It then became obvious what had happened. It had been sent by an e-mail marketing company and they were using a list, which contained my old e-mail address. I’m not sure how they obtained the e-mail, but I could have signed up with any number of companies several years ago and one of these didn’t have an acceptable non-pass on policy. Incidentally, I have checked and find that I still use the e-mail for a couple of subscriptions, so these companies may have sold on the the details. I’m not going to name anybody here, as I can’t be sure how the marketing company obtained the e-mail address.
But this does show a very big dilemma for the marketing departments of respected companies.
If say you are doing a promotion and feel that because it may have popular appeal, you might want to give it to a marketing company, who have a list of e-mail addresses, that they have obtained legitimately.
But this list might contain the e-mail addresses of your current customers, who have signed up with you not to receive marketing e-mails. Some may find this unacceptable and may take their business elsewhere.
So how can you ensure that a marketing list used by a third party, does not contain old or unused e-mail addresses of your current customers.
To put it simply, you can’t!
The only way to ensure it, is not to employ a third party marketing company, that uses e-mail. After all, if you want to obtain new customers through the Internet, you can always use embedded web adverts in respected web sites, like newspapers and broadcasting companies. I have bought quite a few products from this type of advert in the quality newspapers. But I would avoid using adverts that pop-up in a new web browser, when you access some of the tabloid web sites. They just annoy.
After all, you get more business from an existing customer, who you don’t annoy!
One company I deal with is always sending me unwanted e-mails, despite settings to say they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, I need to deal with them, but when I can find an alternative, I will cease my involvement with the company.
Ed Milliband Ignores The Internet
According to one of my favourite columnists, Sathnam Sangera, Small Brain wants to introduce new media rules. But what is he going to do about the increasing power of the Internet? Probably nothing! Although many would like all Internet-connected computers to have a government spy system in them! As Sathnam says, in a few years time, there won’t be too many journalists.
But let’s hope there are lots of entertaining columnists and bloggers.
The Japanese Are Getting Desperate
I can’t ever remember gettng much span supposedly from Japan. But I got this typical piece yesterday.
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found your listed in the Trade Centre Chambers of Commerce directory here in Japan, I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business of $40 Million United States Dollars , I only pray at this time that your address is still valid. I want to this solicit your attention to receive this money on my behalf. The purpose of my contacting you is because my status would not permit me to do this alone. When you reply this message, I will send you the full details and more information about myself and the funds.If interested, please reply through my alternate Email:xxx@xxx.com
Mr.Suzuki Takuya Yuki
(Head of Account Dept, Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank, Tokyo, Japan)
After all, the country is in a bit of a mess after the tsunami. But surely things aren’t that bad.
It was a bit of a giveaway that I got umpteen copies and it was headed Good Dey.
Computer Disasters Incorporated
When we were writing Artemis, and afterwards, some people asked what we would have done if it had all gone wrong.
We didn’t officially have a Plan B, but then we had organised the company, so that if we had to close it, we’d all come out with something. I can remember having a chat with the company accountant and he explained, how our system of leasing systems, meant there would always be a useful cash flow from a sale for some time.
I do remember though talking about a company called Computer Disasters Inc. Basically, it would have been a no-fix no-fee rescue company for computer systems that had gone awry. After all we had the people to sell such services and the experience to fix them.
I suspect it’s a concept that has been used successfully by others.
Are Fake Job Adverts Returning?
I haven’t seen any for some time, but this one turned up this morning.
Hot Jobs from Reliable and Successful Company Running its business since 2005, Company has several openings for goal-oriented and independent individuals looking for excellent career opportunities.
Requirements
– 25+ years old
– UK citizenship
– No criminal record
– Good credit history
– Basic computer skills
– A proven level of secondary educationWhat we offer
– high and stable income
– exciting career opportunities
– two weeks’ paid holiday a year
– great team to work with
– bonuses and our private employee loyalty programme benefits
– and many other thingsWhat you do is just work from home and get advantage of all these opportunities, as the job we offer requires only a few hours of your time spent on your computer.
You are full of energy, learn fast and seek for best career opportunities? Do contact us at xxx@xxx.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We look forward to welcoming you as a new employee.
Sincerely,
irvine thierry
It was a bit better than most of the previous scams, which are designed to get your bank account details, so you can donate large sums of money to the criminals. It was even sent from what looked like a valid UK e-mail address, although mine was addressed to a man called Fidole Shem, who is definitely not me.
It was also marked by my anti-spam system as spam.
But what was a real giveaway was the low level of paid holidays. I wouldn’t get out of bed for a job like that!
So it went the way of the others and I dispatched it humanely with the delete key.
Visual Basic 6 Programmer For Hire
A couple of times recently, I’ve met people, who have said that my skills in Visual Basic 6 may still be needed, because in the City of London, there are still a lot of important systems written in the language. Hence this post, which is almost an advert to say that I’m looking for work.
At my age and with my hopefully sensible finances, I don’t need a permanent job, but old programmers never give up coding, even if they just do it in their mind. Living alone, I have plenty of time on my hands to spend with my therapist, but sometimes I feel I need to do something constructive. Even if it’s just to prove I still can!
So if anybody is in trouble and needs a good Visual Basic 6 programmer who still has most of his marbles, I’m here just north of the City of London, a short bus ride away.
On the legal side, I have complete sets of discs and manuals, so I would not be working outside of any licences.
CyberCriminals Up The Stakes with New TDL-4 Botnet
According to this report on the BBC, an indestructable botnet called TDL-4 has been created. There’s another report on the BCS web site here.
If you read the BBC article, it would appear that the UK is quite infected, but that the botnet comes from porn and pirated film sites. So be sure what you look at!
Text Messaging Is Good For You
This article in the Guardian reports on a study where motivational text messages helped people to quit smoking.
I’m no psychologist, but it strikes me this technique could also be used to stop other additions and help in losing weight. And why does it have to be an SMS message? Could it not be a desktop alert or an app for a smart phone?
I’m certain a decrepit programmer like me could write some of the software.
I’ve Just Been Spammed By Pitney Bowes
I thought they were a respectable company, but an e-mail from them has just ended up in my spam trap.
So they’re now on my “Never do business with this company” list! It won’t make any difference to them, as far as I’m concerned as I use proper stamps anyway.
But when will these companies ever learn?
Would Anybody Ever Use Western Union?
I had four spam e-mails this morning with a title of “You have $250,000.00 Lodged in our Western Union” and a body of “RESPOND FOR DETAILS”
I like the fact that they call it our Western Union!
Does it mean they own it or there’s another one, we don’t know about? The e-mails came from a supposedly Peruvian .pe e-mail address.
Western Union’s name is now so discredited that I and I suspect any serious person, who uses the Internet, would ever use it. I have never used the company in the past and probably never will in the future.
Although looking at the financial results of the company, they seem to be doing quite well.
The Anonymous Widower 