Should I report this as spam?

1. 77

   Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

   I got an email from a fellow hubber that I don't know. This person has been a member for 3 moths and is apparently an author of a published book. The mail reads
   
   "let me encourage you to write - as others encouraged me when I began posting HUBS. Which is funny, because for 65 years I was a paid writer, but always writing for THEM. Now, at age 81, I think I've found the answer. I write for me, readers invited.  HUB Pages reports over 1300 readers in 3 months. Which has led to a LITERARY GROUP, with members currently on every continent. You're invited in. Each week members receive E-MAILS with LINKS to weekly postings. All that's needed is your YES and an E-Mail address. No pressure. Your call. Laura du Toit keep that word processor cranking. " (I have removed all references to the hubber from the e-mail)
   
   Now I don't consider myself to be one of the best writers on Hubpages and my score is earned through hard work more than anything else.
   
   My question is : Is this spam or do you think this could be genuine? I have a feeling this person is just out to get a mailing list but I may be wrong.
   
   Any suggestions?

   replyreport
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      yoshi97posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      me thinks you might be right

      replyreport
2. 0

   Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

   I would spam it...I would trust your instincts Laura on that one. delete it forever!

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3. 77

   Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

   Let's wait and see what the others have to say!

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4. 57

   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   hi everyone, it might be what you think and what YOSHI thinks  he is always correct!

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5. 77

   Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

   Hi Crazd Should I report it?

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6. 60

   tantrumposted 13 years ago

   SPAM written all over

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7. 0

   Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

   If it were me yea...you said "you feel this person is just out to get a mailing list" and i think you are right to follow that instinct chica

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8. 57

   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   they are all correct,

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9. 77

   Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

   How do I report it - I can just ignore it but somebody else is bound to get caught by this spammer. Luckily I'm not quite so naive.

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10. 0

    Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

    When you look at the buttons next to it, it should say SPAM on one of the buttons. Just hit that and it'll be tagged as SPAM. then after that it'll ask you if you want to delete forever hit it and it'll be gone for good.

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    1. 77

       Laura du Toitposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       This was an e-mail sent to me not a comment on my hub! Came through Hubpages though.

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          yoshi97posted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I don't receive too many emails. You could always send me an email saying what a great hubber I am and I would use it to see how one would report another for such an offense *hmmm*  haha!!

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          1. 77

             Laura du Toitposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             I won't be so stupid as to ask for your e-mail address

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11. 0

    Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

    Ah well then you can't report that as spam just delete it. You have warned everyone already by posting this thread

    replyreport
12. 77

    Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

    Thanks but this hubber is going to keep on sending to other hubbers. Oh well I suppose that I should not make it my problem.

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    1. 58

       yoshi97posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Aw right! I couldn't trick you into sending me a kudo, so I'll answer your question honestly then...
       
       At the end of the email there is a line that states:
       
       *Report this email as spam or abuse*
       
       Click the word 'spam' and you will have reported it.

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       Crazdwriterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Like I said Laura you actually warnded ppl by putting it here on the threads. I'm sure others will read it and if they see it in their mail box will delete it too.
       
       So you already warned ppl

       replyreport
13. 77

    Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

    Thanks everyone  - for confirming what I knew. Just needed to make sure that I was not throwing away a perfect opportunity to become rich and famous (as if that ever falls into your lap or email)

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14. 0

    Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

    Welcome chica
    If in doubt ask away

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15. 39

    LOT2DOposted 13 years ago

    Looks like a spam!

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16. 79

    starme77posted 13 years ago

    when in doubt, throw it out

    replyreport
17. 68

    lrohnerposted 13 years ago

    Guys, that's a fellow hubber. He is 81 years old, he was a professional (and very successful) writer for many years, and he does have a literary group made up of a wide range of people. It's totally legit. I actually belong to the group and get email updates.

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       darksideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Someone's going to have to educate the old guy as to the protocol and etiquette of using messaging systems to send unsolicited mail.
       
       Someone with a good nature. Good with people. Perhaps someone who already belongs to the group. Hmmmmm, I wonder who.
       
       

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          lrohnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I know, DS, I will. I promise.

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       wyanjenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Me too - sorry I didn't see this sooner...
       Yes, it is a legitimate group of writers.
       He asked me if I was interested but only after we corresponded about something else, so in my case, it wasn't spam.
       

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18. 77

    Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

    Damn! NOW i JUST WENT AND REPORTED IT AS SPAM!

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19. 63

    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    If it's who I think it is he's a business guy, so his feelings aren't going to be hurt by it.    If it's not "officially" spam he has nothing to worry about.  If it's "technically" spam but he didn't realize it, chances are he can explain himself and change his approach (I'm guessing - could be wrong).

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20. 58

    yoshi97posted 13 years ago

    With all of the spam we receive daily it's no wonder we question every email ...
    
    Maybe a better approach would be for him to post about it in the forums, so we could actively discuss it with him before drawing any conclusions.

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21. 72

    relacheposted 13 years ago

    To me, that's spam. 
    
    Why? 
    
    Because he's using the HubPages email system to send unsolicited, indiscriminate bulk messages.

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       Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       He's not sending the message in bulk because no one else has said they received the email.  I know I didn't.  Looks like he is emailing Hubbers whom he thinks would be a good fit for his group.  Sounds more like a compliment than spam.

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       1. 77

          Laura du Toitposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          If you are right then I really feel bad - I should have felt honored that a professional writer would even read one of my hubs and now I have made him out to be a spammer! That's why I should rather have ignored it or accepted, not spammed it. Too late now!

          replyreport
22. 77

    Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

    Thanks you guys - I really feel bad if this guy is not a spammer but I did what I thought was right. Nothing personal I just felt that I should report it - in hindsight maybe not such a great idea. We live and we learn

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       darksideposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You didn't do the wrong thing. If HubPages HQ feel the same way (and especially if others got the same message and flagged it) then it will be up to them.

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23. 91

    habeeposted 13 years ago

    Don't beat yourself up about it, Laura. You thought you were helping other hubbers.

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24. 77

    Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

    Thanks Habee - butI still do really feel bad - and feel I can hardly accept his invitation to join his group after reporting him to HP.

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25. 91

    habeeposted 13 years ago

    If you want to join, send him an email explaining what happened. He'll probably understand. Tolerance and wisdom often come with age!
    
    
    Holle

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26. 77

    Laura du Toitposted 13 years ago

    You are probably right - Will sleep on it and decide in the morning! Thanks

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