I DID NOT KNOW WE WOULD GET THIS HERE ON SPARKMAIL

Posts: 11,062
3/9/13 6:05 P

What I find really cool about SparkPeople is that they have some way to delete those spammy SparkMails as soon as they get one report. A spammer will hit the whole site and the SP techies will get them off so fast that 99% of people never see them. And spam on the message boards lasts about three seconds. I used to PAY for a site where spam would stay up for weeks no matter how many gazillions of times we reported it. I'm endlessly impressed with how clean they keep this place.

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Posts: 33,302
3/7/13 8:55 P

Yeah, people sometimes assume they're "safe" on a member-site, as compared say to reading your local news station's site. But when it takes next to nothing to become a member, it's no safer at all.

Always be vigilant! :)

SparkPoints: (2,482)
Fitness Minutes: (1,738)
Posts: 76
3/7/13 7:56 P

Okay, nice quick reponses, let me say thanks.

Guess stopping illegal things are tough, and it does seem you try and I guess I am happy with that, it just means that I need to always be careful, and I will try.

Thanks

Patrick

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Posts: 8,688
3/7/13 7:28 P

Hi,

I just wanted to add that we do have protection from spammers in place, but sometimes they are able to get through. As soon as we are aware of these, the member is removed from the site and all the content sent/posted is deleted from the site. As another member mentioned, if you use the "report inappropriate" button if you receive emails like this, that will bring the message to the attention of the appropriate staff.

SparkPoints: (42,182)
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Posts: 7,901
3/7/13 5:05 P

This is an automated system. :) They hit the other site I administer all the time. They're clever bots run by a real person who signs up for an active website, and uses the private messaging system to send nigerian scam messages.

It's not something ANY site can avoid... if you're on the web, and have free accounts, it can happen!

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Posts: 33,302
3/7/13 1:03 P

How could they possibly be stopped?

Think about it for a moment. It's easy and free to create a spark account. Then you immediately send out 200 spammy sparkmail messages.

The system itself has no basis on which to identify those types of messages versus a person who joins up and wants to sparkmail people with comments and support.

The key is, as stated, there's a "report inappropriate message" button. That will get the spark team on deleting that account and removing their messages pretty quickly.

Posts: 612
3/7/13 12:47 P

I have never had that happen and I have been on SP for a few years.

If you have not already, down at the bottom of the email is a "report inappropriate message" button. Use that, then block that user.

I guess after a while spammers (more than just the "buy these life changing diet pills" type) will invade anything.

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SparkPoints: (2,482)
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Posts: 76
3/7/13 9:39 A

Here is a scammer's mail I got through the sparkmail, not email, how often does this go on around here?
This is scary that they even have access
patrick


Mrs.Beatriz Yussi
OSMEMA AVENUE
LOT 12 LAPU-LAPU
6017 CEBU CITY
PHILIPPINES.

Hello

Email me for more details here:(bea.yussi001@gmail.com)

My Name is Mrs.Beatriz Yussi wife to Dr Christopher Yussi from Philippine,who was the Deputy Secretary General of Bayan Muna party-list group in Southern Tagalog Who was attacked and killed in our house on the 9th may 2010 from your profile I believe in me that you ought to be a very honest person, I need someone who would take for whom I am and as a life time partner, after making claims of my deposited life Before my late husband was killed he made total sum of ($14,000.000 USD Fourteen Million Us Dollars) from the sales of gold and cocoa this money is deposited with a firm in ABROAD.

My main purpose of sending you this mail is because of the way I believe I can confide on you to assist me retrieve and invest this money for the benefit of you and me. I hope that you can be trusted, that you will not sit on this money when you claim it I will give you the contact of the security company in ABROAD for you to contact them and give them your address for the immediate shipment of the box today I have made up my mind to give you 25% of the total money for your help, after you have secured the box for me and my future Thanks for your comprehension and willingness to assist Contact me for more details with my private email address (bea.yussi001@gmail.com)

Await your urgent reply.
With Love,
Mrs.Beatriz Yussi

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