My dad received the following email earlier today and asked me to check it out.
&start of email — From: ahurel@plaxo. ComReply-to: announcements@plaxo. ComTo: xxxxxxxx@aol. ComSent: 5/2 11:08: 41 A.M. Pacific Daylight TimeSubj: Thank you for purchasing Platinum Sync
Thanks for purchasing Platinum Sync!
Hi xxxx,
As a valued C.A.R. Member and Plaxo customer, I would like to offer you some one-on-one help to ensure you’ve imported all your contacts successfully, and that everything is set up the way you need it to be.
Simply reply to this email, and a Plaxo customer services representative will contact you to arrange an appointment with one of our product specialists at your convenience.
As you may be aware, combined with Plaxo Basic, the Plaxo Platinum Sync service allows you to synchronize all your contacts and address books across each of your communication devices, as well as your email accounts. As an option, you can ensure your contacts are kept clean, complete, and up to date by adding the Plaxo Personal Assistant. This way, the latest contact information you require is always on the device or email system you happen to be using at the time – at home, in the office or on the go.
On behalf of Plaxo, thank you again for your interest and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Best regards,
Adrian HurelDirector of Sales, Plaxo - end of email&
Plaxo? Thanks for purchasing Platinum Sync? Neither of us had any idea of what Plaxo is and Dad definitely NEVER purchased anything from them. And how did they get his email address and get past AOL's Spam filters. Google Plaxo. Oh yeah now I remember... Plaxo has been around for a while, they provide an "email contacts sync service". Basically they provide a sync service that keeps contact information up to date for the people on those lists. Ya ok. Sounds innocent enough. But It also gives them access to a person's email contact list to do as they please. Judging from the large number of complaints on the net their nefarious reputation is well deserved. Their scam is the good-old "Try it free for 30 days and if you decide that it's not for you just cancel or "opt-out" before the 30 days is up to avoid being billed". If you do like it then do nothing and they will bill you every month automatically.
The opt-out works for scammers in many ways.
1. First off is the scammers get your credit card # up front2. People are busy and can forget to opt out. Monthly billing starts. 3. You do opt-out but the scammers just ignore you and start billing you monthly anyway. 4. Scammers can deny ever receiving opt-out from you. 5. Spam is not detected because it's coming from your legit email account 6. Other In our situation Plaxo is just flat out lying.
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