Comments on: The Independent and their spamming advertisers http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/06/the-independent-and-their-spamming-advertisers/ The inside track since 2003 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:10:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mark http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/06/the-independent-and-their-spamming-advertisers/comment-page-1/#comment-57550 Mark Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:21:25 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2070#comment-57550 I'm sure that the various advertising departments of the newspapers that Webwindows buy space in are aware of them. But, realistically, they're not going to refuse to sell space to them. It's not their job to police the activities of all of their customers (well, maybe it ought to be, but that's another issue), and space resellers are an established part of the advertising business. So it's not really the fault of the newspapers that they have at least one dodgy reseller. What's probably more relevant is that sending unsolicited bulk email (aka spam) to individuals (as opposed to businesses) is illegal in the UK. Now, the last time I looked, I was an individual rather than a corporate entity, and the fact that I run a number of hobby websites doesn't change that. That makes their email to me illegal. Equally, I don't think being an MP counts as running a business (at least, not until they bring back the rotten boroughs), so their mail to you was illegal as well. So why haven't they had a visit from the local boys in blue, yet? I’m sure that the various advertising departments of the newspapers that Webwindows buy space in are aware of them. But, realistically, they’re not going to refuse to sell space to them. It’s not their job to police the activities of all of their customers (well, maybe it ought to be, but that’s another issue), and space resellers are an established part of the advertising business. So it’s not really the fault of the newspapers that they have at least one dodgy reseller.

What’s probably more relevant is that sending unsolicited bulk email (aka spam) to individuals (as opposed to businesses) is illegal in the UK. Now, the last time I looked, I was an individual rather than a corporate entity, and the fact that I run a number of hobby websites doesn’t change that. That makes their email to me illegal. Equally, I don’t think being an MP counts as running a business (at least, not until they bring back the rotten boroughs), so their mail to you was illegal as well. So why haven’t they had a visit from the local boys in blue, yet?

]]> By: Tom http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/06/the-independent-and-their-spamming-advertisers/comment-page-1/#comment-57524 Tom Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:49:34 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2070#comment-57524 Thanks Mark, but surely webwindows are known the the advertising sales people on these newspapers? Thanks Mark, but surely webwindows are known the the advertising sales people on these newspapers?

]]> By: Mark http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/06/the-independent-and-their-spamming-advertisers/comment-page-1/#comment-57517 Mark Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:08:06 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2070#comment-57517 It isn't the Indy that's spamming you. Webwindows is a well-known bunch of borderline scammers (I say borderline, because what they do is currently legal even though it's entirely disreputable) who buy advertising space in the major newspapers and then resell it to unsuspecting punters at a vastly inflated price. Their method of reeling in aforementioned narks is to scrape websites for contact addresses and then spam them. At the risk of appearing to blow my own trumpet, I've posted a more detailed blog entry on these lowlife at http://mark.goodge.co.uk/musings/80/webwindows-spammers-and-rip-off-merchants It isn’t the Indy that’s spamming you. Webwindows is a well-known bunch of borderline scammers (I say borderline, because what they do is currently legal even though it’s entirely disreputable) who buy advertising space in the major newspapers and then resell it to unsuspecting punters at a vastly inflated price. Their method of reeling in aforementioned narks is to scrape websites for contact addresses and then spam them.

At the risk of appearing to blow my own trumpet, I’ve posted a more detailed blog entry on these lowlife at http://mark.goodge.co.uk/musings/80/webwindows-spammers-and-rip-off-merchants

]]> By: Christopher Holyhead http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/06/the-independent-and-their-spamming-advertisers/comment-page-1/#comment-48868 Christopher Holyhead Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:10:10 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2070#comment-48868 It's sadly a way of life Tom. I came home to this even though i have spam protection on: "Dear Winner,This e-mail is to inform you that you have been selected as a winner for a cash prize of £850,000.00 on our ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES PROMOTION program which was held on Friday, 20th of June, 2008 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. To file your claim, do contact our fiduciary agent assigned to your file via email as given in the contact details below providing your Full Name; Address: Country: Age: Gender: Occupation: Telephone Number: and your Winning Number: 08.11.21.32.35.42. {47} to commence the process of releasing your cash prizeContact Person: Brian AdamsE-mail: uknl.claimdepartmnt@hotmail.co.ukContact Number: +447031947860" It’s sadly a way of life Tom. I came home to this even though i have spam protection on:

“Dear Winner,This e-mail is to inform you that you have been selected as a winner for a cash prize of £850,000.00 on our ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES PROMOTION program which was held on Friday, 20th of June, 2008 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. To file your claim, do contact our fiduciary agent assigned to your file via email as given in the contact details below providing your Full Name; Address: Country: Age: Gender: Occupation: Telephone Number: and your Winning Number: 08.11.21.32.35.42. {47} to commence the process of releasing your cash prizeContact Person: Brian AdamsE-mail: uknl.claimdepartmnt@hotmail.co.ukContact Number: +447031947860″

]]> By: Miller 2.0 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/06/the-independent-and-their-spamming-advertisers/comment-page-1/#comment-48857 Miller 2.0 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:53:07 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2070#comment-48857 Yuck. The Independent. Yuck. The Independent.

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