Reported for SPAMMING
By byfaithonly
@byfaithonly (10698)
United States
February 18, 2008 10:18am CST
First let me make it clear - it was not on myLot!I am so upset right now I don't know if I want to scream, yell, throw things, or just cry.
This is what happened, the other day I joined a new PTC (Paid to Click) program - it pays via paypal, has a lot of ads to click daily, and a nice pay system. I really like this one so far.
Well, this morning I woke up to an e-mail from the program saying I had been reported for spamming and gave me a warning of having my account deleted.
I have never spammed (sent unsolicitate email) and actually I don't even normally send referral links through e-mail. All I can figure is someone, some evil person, is trying to cause trouble for me. This hurts horribly - this is a personal attach on myself, my charater, and my income.
I hate spam mail myself, I always encourage other NOT TO SPAM, and have over the years done my best to help educate others on how NOT TO SPAM.
I did email back to the program and explained all of this as well as the fact that I have not promoted their program to any great extent (a link on my blog is all) at this point but did find it strange that this morning I now have 5 referrals on the program where yesterday I only had one - a friend here on myLot whom I exchanged links with - I signed for one of his new programs and he signed for this one so we could both have a chance to check out the new programs.
Ok, I ranted so for discussion purposes - Have you ever been accussed of spamming? Have you reported others for spamming? Do you know of any options I may have in fighting this problem?
p.s. sorry I've not been responding to discussions the last few days, I have been horribly busy with another project (I really didn't need this added stress) but I hope to get caught up in the next few days.
12 people like this
18 responses
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
18 Feb 08
That's horrible and one of the reasons I belong to very few sites like this. I've heard about a lot of people being sent emails saying they were spamming and personally I think the site that sent it is probably a scam site. Of course I could be wrong...it's just my opinion.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Since I don't usually join a site under someone else I never have to worry about what anyone else does or if they are getting me in trouble in some way.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
It's weird but normally I will post a response or check out the profiles of my friends here before I join something new but this was just a spere of the moment thing and went for it. I think in the future I will stick to only joining under people I know, not using a referral, or at least keeping track of my referral's ID. Some sites share that information but this one doesn't.
@jbrooks (264)
• United States
19 Feb 08
i know what you mean about some thinking that you are spamming. i joined this group and i like it. it helps me earn money and shop. 2 of my favorite hobbies. now they have this new thing where you can opt out of getting spam mail as they call it. with all this so called spam bologna going around how are you suppose to get the word out about great opportunitys that you want others to know about. what is safe and what is not lately
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I've never been one to send 'friends' emails referring them to programs - I have a blog (link on my profile) where I not only list but also discuss all the programs I belong to. I then in turn submit my blog to directories and traffic exchange sites. I'm sure there are faster ways of getting referrals but this way I know I'm not going to get accussed of spamming - at least I thought so until now.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
21 Feb 08
Gee Faith, a blind accusation is one thing...easily tossed to one side and deleted but a deliberate lie made up to cause you harm is really serious. If spamming is not allowed then lying about someone doing it should be an offense as well. Surely if such an accusation is made it has to be proved and then checked very carefully and verified before the person being accused is warned and branded. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Do you know where you got the referrals from? Can you contact them and ask them how they joined under you?
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I am sorry to hear this has happened to you. Sometimes people just like to cause trouble. It is especially terrible because you go out of your way not to spam. It is a shame you could not find out who did this because at least you could face the person and tell him/her that you did not appreciate it being done to you.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I'm trying to really quick right now go through all my accounts and see if there has been any 'unusual' activity. I have heard of people somehow stealing email addresses and sending emails out from that address but I can't understand why on earth they would do it using a program I've only made a few cents on so far. It seems like a lot of work for next to nothing and I do hope that whoever did this gets their just rewards :(
@joyce959 (1559)
• Philippines
18 Feb 08
Hi faith... sorry to know that this happened to you.
Well, so far I have not experienced being reported or accused of spamming. I have limited time on the net. Sometimes I do received some emails that refers to some link or sites which I think is not good for me to look on. Most often I don't know from whom those emails come from, so I just delete them or report them as spam mails.
Anyway, I hope your problem will be resolved. Have a nice day ahead.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Thanks joyce this is just crazy as far as I'm concerned. I wish I would hear back from the program.
I do the same thing, if I don't know the person who sent the e-mail I don't even bother opening it, just delete it. I actually do that every morning before I open my legitamate e-mail I delete all the spam. You have a nice day too :)
@gmchun83 (48)
• Malaysia
19 Feb 08
I never accussed as spamming but i really cant tolerate to anyone that spamming.I will block the ip address,report to spamcop.net,report the hosting provider,report the domain provider,report to webmaster website/admin(if spam came from their website),make sure my email not public publish at internet etc.If cant work,i sent back spam to him(spamyourenemies.com).Let him know how we feel when receive a lot spam email.
But i think at your cases and your account have been hacked by someone.Change your password always.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I am actually begining to think that someone ment to send their own referral address to people but instead sent mine - naturally those people didn't know me 'byfaithonly' so someone thought it was spam. I still haven't heard back from the site's admin so not going to stress much more over it.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I guess some people will report anything. I have never been reported, but that doesn't mean that someone will never try to. Some people have nothing better to do with their time.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I don't understand it either but guess they must not be too concerned either as my account is still there and they have not responded to my e-mail this morning.
I do report spammers, particularly the ones that involve money - there are all these people saying they have this amount of money and that amount and want you to say you are a family member so they can send you the money - it's a big rip-off, lie lie lie and it really annoys me because I know there are some unknowing people who will fall for the scam. I report them ASAP and have over the years even gotten a few thank you notes from such places as PayPal and a couple big off line banks.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
19 Feb 08
I have heard of this happening quite a bit wi8th some programs. They are so paranoid about spamming, that they will listen to any complaint without asking questions.
It does seem s little odd though.
Getting 5 referrals overnight & you only promoted it on your blog.
This suggests to me that someone used your refferal link to promote, knowing that he/she was going to spam. So as not to risk their own account, they have spammed with yours instead.
Pathetic isn't it, but the net is full of this sort of activity.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Yea there's something fishy going on - normally I'm lucky if I get 1 referral in a month. I have some programs I've belonged to for months and months and have zero referral :(
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Hi. I got accused of spamming one time before, but I did not spam anyone. People asked me for information on how to earn online and when I sent the information to them, the site said I spammed people.
I thought spamming meant sending solicited information to people who did not ask for it?
I'm sorry you had to go through this too. It upset me also because I did nothing wrong and got in trouble for it.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I know what you mean. I was upset also. I didn't spam anyone and got accused of it. It made me furious about it because I felt like I had no say in the matter even though I knew I was right. The person that accused me of that one time, was very rude to me. I got very rude right back because I cannot stand that and I didn't hear a word more from them. I think they were just spiteful and jealous is all it boiled down to.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Well, it's been over 24 hours and I haven't heard a thing from them so am going to try to 'ignore' the situation and carry on as usual - I'm not recommending this site for the time being though.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I'm the same way - I only send the information if the other person asks for it.
Spamming is 'unsolicited' information - they did not ask for it. I'm still upset but have calmed down some since this morning = still haven't heard anything more.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I do receive more than my share of spam emails, byfaithonly, but I soon put a stop to them. I have never been accused of spamming anyone that I can recall. I don't even have a real site. If I've learned one thing since I've been on the internet, it's that there are a lot of real idiots online who live to cause others misery.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Wow, faith, that does sound like someone is after you..I don't know if it would do any good, but I remember many discussion here where you talk about not pushing other sites and how you don't like spam, if you could send the links to those discussions to the site or even have other people vouch for your character here.. Because even though I only know you online, I can tell you definitely are not one to spam.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Oh that is so sweet of you dear and makes me feel really good. I'm afraid the problem would be finding those responses and such. LOL - maybe I should post a discussion "Would anyone be willing to vouch for my online character?" :) I'm sure I have several friends here who would be willing to send an e-mail supporting me :) I'm not stressed enough to go to that extent YET but will certainly keep it in mind should it go further or continue.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Oh dear I had forgotten about that discussion until I read it again - excellent discussion supporting everything I told them in my e-mail this morning. I will certainly keep this for future reference should I need it - thank you dear friend.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I would vouch for you, faith.. And here is one of mine where you actually said you wouldn't promote a site unless you were sure about it, don't know if it will help, but maybe others here will also vouch or give you a link to a discussion that may help..
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1385145.aspx
@mlhuff12 (797)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Yes I was reported for spamming that I did not do. And I was very surprised with it. Especially on what site it was. It was Ebay. I got an e-mail telling me that my account has been frozen or locked or something like that because I had broken a ebay rule. It said that I was sending people messages to buy stuff on another retail website that I have never even heard of. And I hadn't been on ebay for many months, probably about 4 or 5. I was very worried because I was afraid that whoever was doing this was gonna try to buy something and then I would be held responsible. I contacted ebay and got it sorted out. They explained to me what happened but I was very confused and didn't really understand. But my account showed that nobody bid on anything or bought anything, so that was good.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
That's what I'm afraid of - that if they did it on that site they may do it on others which could totally mess up my earnings. I'm glad they got your problem straightened out, hope they do the same for me. I still haven't heard anything.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Thank you, I am trying to ignore it hopeing it was just someone's error but still a bit concerned that someone would do something like this.
@killahclaire (3665)
•
6 Mar 08
Right I know you well and I know that if you say you never spammed then I completely believe you.
I think I know what has happened here.
is this a multi tier referral place cos the person above you could have easily worked out your referral url and could be spamming the net with your url.
Do you think that could be a possibility?
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Thanks dear I just can't imagine why someone would do this to me of all people - I always do my best to get along with everyone and not step on anyone's toes. The only thing I can figure is there was an error some place and they have me confused with someone else. I do hope they get it straightened out but I still haven't heard back from the program admin who wrote me originally but I've checked several times this morning and my account is still there along with the new referrals that I have no idea where they came from.
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
6 Mar 08
Oh, so sorry to have it happened to you. Indeed, the internet is a place for complicated good or bad alike business. It's a fact that we have to get rid off. Well, as long as you know you haven't done such wrong, don't make yourself sorry for it.
Don't let your emotions get over a better day. Check on your emotions. Hope you get over it. It's 3 weeks ago since then.
You enjoy a great day!
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
20 Mar 08
I haven't ever been accused of spamming before, so I can't completely relate to your situation. However, I feel horrible for you and would hate to be put in the same situation with all the stress involved. I'm sorry to hear about this! The fact that you would never spam anyone makes it even more difficult to get a handle on how and why someone would accuse you of doing so! I'd feel the same way because I don't spam at all whatsoever. I only send appropriate referral links in private messages and e-mails. That's the only way it's done and the only way I believe it should be done (with exception of your blog, of course, which is your own personal posting). I don't even post them on personal or social sites or even blogs. I figure, if people are interested, I can send it to them privately and have a better turn out because of previous rapport and such. I don't know what a good solution would be other than stand your ground and keep up the good work. If you're not spamming and you're accused of such, there's not much you can do other than continue to not spam. I know you contacted the site already and that's great. You could continue keeping tabs on your account and keep a check on your referrals as well. It's not a matter of finding out who's accusing you; it's about keeping your account from being deleted so it can be active and you can continue to earn money. I'd love to be a part of this type of site because, as you said, there are great benefits. Please send me the link when you have a chance. That also might give me a better understanding of your situation. I hope everything works out for you!
