Should I jump on the paranoia train?

I was just reading the 'paranoia' thread and I thought maybe this is a good

place to ask my own question-

 

Has anybody had a completely random user request their email address? A person

you've never met/heard of before? A person who requested your email address,

and then never actually emailed you?

 

Should *I* be paranoid? :)

yes. yes. yes.

<br><br>

 

facsinating isn't it ,-)

I have once or twice, but when I do get emails, it's usually from someone who has searched the archives for information on some piece of equipment. So I figure sometimes someone does a search and gets more than one name, but never emails me because someone else had the answer first, or perhaps they figured out whatever they needed to figure out by themselves before sending any mail at all.

Maybe, because there are the occasional person who mines user accounts and addresses. I

would keep track of your spam and cross check user names here, but it's likely a waste of

time. Add your name to the list of those mined. Otherwise, keep snapping them pics.

 

--Scott--

It's happened to me but I never got paranoid about it but maybe I should?

Me too...no worries. I don't use my name as my e-mail address.

Hi Tiffany, I've only had people request my email address - and then not email me - maybe once or twice, but it never crossed my mind to be paranoid about it. (Now those guys in black suits that keep following me around... well, nevermind :)

 

I use Norton's anti-spam filter and while it's not perfect (what is?) when I do get spam I just tell it "this is spam!" and I never see it again.

 

But remember: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone's *not* out to get you! ;-)

I have on occasion received a message from PN that so-and-so asked for my e-mail address. Once, that person did not follow through with a message, however the several others who have asked did send a message. I, myself have asked for an e-mail and sent a message or two, one of which was not answered. I think PN's 20 second delay works well to keep you safe from the spammers and other dangers of the net.

Yes, I have recieved a number of the email requests from people I didn't know, recognize or ever get the email from. And yes, my mailbox began to be filled with spam and virus infected emails using a slight variation of my own address. Yes, we are being mined. That is not paranoia, that is reality.

I clicked to look at someone's portfolio last week and inadvertantly clicked on the request e-mail. It could have been an accident like that.

I wish PN would discontinue the practice of disclosing email addresses to requesters, and completely implement email forwarding. That way if someone wants to contact me, they can send email to blat@photo.net and it gets forwarded automatically. I can then respond from my address, thereby divulging it, or I can respond to the sender's PN address.

 

The forwarding feature only works, sorta, some of the time. Therein lies the problem

 

<Chas>

I would not worry about it unless your own userid requests your email address.

Yep two or three times I've noticed...... I've done it myself accidentally clicked the get email adress link... ooops really didn't want your email address sorry! No need to get paranoid unless the person actually starts stalking you. :)

It happens maybe two or three times a year to me here. However its not the ones that don't email that worry me- its the ones that do. Mostly they ask questions that could be perfectly easily asked within the forums; sometimes they ask questions that require long answers or fact finding. Why some people prefer a private response to issues that other people could usefully contribute to is beyond me. Then I'd say that no more than 25% ever come back and say thanks.

 

Net result is that I've stopped answering questions put to me on email by people I don't "know".

I'm stunned at the amount of free time some people have.

 

Of all the silly things to be worried about, this has got to be near the top of the list.

Rob,

 

Evidently, you have never had your identity stolen. A friend of mine has had that happen. He went to buy a house, only to discover several accounts opened in his name; he/she did not hack his personal accts., but opened new ones. He was not held liable, but spent 18-months clearing his name (credit history). He still hasn't bought a house given the recent "bubble". If only these thieves would put their obvious talents (I have no clue how to hijack and identity) to productive purposes they would be just as successful.

They just hit request e-mail address rather than the see all photos link.

 

Sometimes people do it two or three times

 

No paranoia here

It took me less than 10 seconds to find your email address. I clicked your name, clicked your personal website, and clicked contact. I imagine that anyone you needed to be worried about (like a scammer) wouldn't need to request it. They'll just google your name.

<<Evidently, you have never had your identity stolen.>>

 

Stephen,

 

How, exactly, does identity theft correspond to the email address you use with, and subsequently someone requests from, photo.net?

 

I'll save you the time. The answer is: nothing.

 

Anyone who equates an email address request with something as nefarious as identity theft has too much time on their hands.

Tiffany - if you're asking the question you're already halfway there:)

"Should *I* be paranoid? :)"

 

About what? Oh. Right.

Thanks guys for the helpful AND the not at all helpful information. Seems completely reasonable that somebody could have clicked the email link in error, I hadn't entertained that thought because I was under the assuption that people read things more carefully before clicking. <br><br>I'm relatively new to photo.net; I've gotten this site as a result to answers I've Googled for a long time now, but only recently became a more regular member. I've noticed in my time here the amazing amount of arrogance of some people on this forum, yet at the same time the amazing amount of quite helpful people. <br><br>No, I don't have too much time on my hands, but thank you for reminding me of my habit of needlessly worrying about various things that go on throughout the day here in Miami. I'm stunned at the amount of free time some people have to leave worthless posts of no value to the original question. <br><br>I was simply checking to see if anybody else had experienced this situation. I understand that my email address can be accessed via my webpage, I designed, built and uploaded the damn thing after all. But somebody I'd never heard of just snagging my email address off PN when I have no work posted here was a tad unnerving to me.

<br><br>

But thanks to all you helpful folks up there, I really appreciate *your* input! :) <br><br>

See ya guys,<br>~Tiff