Thursday, 15. April 2004
Nadine's new credit card
Regular readers may have come across the Story of Nadine on their travels. For those unfamiliar with Nadine, it is the story of how a non-existent person became the recipient of a lot of spam and is well worth the read when you have the time.
Well, we have long had more than our own fair share of Nadines here, and recently added quite a few more.
All of our Nadines have one thing in commmon with that original Nadine - they are emal addresses of people who do not exist. They all get a lot of the sort of scatter gun spam that we all get, pushing presicription medication, pornography and so on. But there is one category of spam that does not often hit Nadines here -- the type often referred to as "mainsleaze".
Now this may be a philosophical grey area, and I am in any case no expert in philosophical matters, but isn't physical being usually something of a pre-requisite for the following, received by one of our newest Nadines earlier today?
Well, we have long had more than our own fair share of Nadines here, and recently added quite a few more.
All of our Nadines have one thing in commmon with that original Nadine - they are emal addresses of people who do not exist. They all get a lot of the sort of scatter gun spam that we all get, pushing presicription medication, pornography and so on. But there is one category of spam that does not often hit Nadines here -- the type often referred to as "mainsleaze".
Now this may be a philosophical grey area, and I am in any case no expert in philosophical matters, but isn't physical being usually something of a pre-requisite for the following, received by one of our newest Nadines earlier today?
Subject: you've made it. Now you can apply online for a brand name unsecured credit card
Dear ,*
Click below to apply now. You get to choose – Visa or MasterCard. This is not a secured card offer - this is a REAL UNSECURED credit card that you can use to rebuild your credit and make purchases anywhere Visa or MasterCard credit cards are accepted.
(* Yes, that does read "Dear [white space]" -- They know Nadine's email address, but nothing else about her, not even her real name)
..and in a separate spam to the same Nadine only minutes ago:
Subject: The 30 Second Instant Approval Visa Card!
Ever wanted to know the feeling of having a Visa Card to use to purchase goods and services? Well, now is your chance! Its easy as 1 2 3 with the *** ********* Visa Card! Just click here and in 30 seconds you’re approved!
Need a Visa Card but worried that your credit may be holding you back? Then click on the link provided below and *** ********* can help you with their Stored Value Card. With No Credit Checks and No Employment Required you’re Instantly Approved!
Looking for that alternative for Traveler's Cheques then look no further. With The *** ********* Visa Card you are all set to travel. It’s accepted millions of places worldwide. Plus you can load your Visa Card up to $10,000.00 and you won’t have to deal with having to fill out the Cheques. Just sign your name and go.
Silver lining? -- if Nadine can get a credit card so easily, does that make me safer from identity theft?
Category: Spam miscellany
Technorati: Spam miscellany
Comments :
1. Nathan T. Freeman15/04/2004 22:59:07
Perhaps I'm master of the obvious here, but it sounds like a phishing expedition to me. After all, you can ask for as much information for a credit application as you'd need to steal identity.
2. Chris Linfoot19/04/2004 08:26:38
Hmmm. Checking source of those spams.
By George! You are right! There's no way a real credit card company would ask you to sign up at a site named wfrswwkkbfaddrschkenuhqdcmc0d0r26.something_or_other.com
Should have thought of that! My bad.
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